September 2009
Civil Rights Activist and Attorney Dies
Remembering kama’aina John Goemans
John Goemans, a revolutionary attorney well known for his initiation of the Rice v. Cayetano case, passed away on Monday June 15th in a California hospice. He had spent the past few years in California with his sister. Mr. Goemans was passionately involved in various civil rights cases in the state of Hawaii and will be remembered as a kama’aina with a vision of racial equality for Hawaii. (more)
September 2009
Plastic Bag Ban Neither Logically Nor Environmentally Sound
The vote to ban plastic bags on Kauai has again been postponed. Lawmakers would be wise to use this extra time to seriously consider the ramifications of banning plastic bags. (more)
September 29, 2009
Are Dog Walkers the New Criminals?
KITV News recently reported that dog walkers have been the target of a new city and county crackdown. Kapiolani Park, a popular recreation and gathering area for families, bikers, skaters, joggers, and the like is now a barred zone for dog walkers. (more)
September 28, 2009
Special Interests Continue Mischief in the House
The House Ethics Committee has been probing three members of the House; Maxine Waters (D) of California, Sam Graves (R) of Missouri, and Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D) of Illinois. In the meantime, Representative Jackson's investigation has been deferred. (more)
September 2009
Honolulu Drivers Suffer Through Worst Roads
Last year, TRIP, a national transportation watchdog group, rated Honolulu as having the second-worst urban roads in the nation. On top of all the potholes, Honolulu residents also pay the third highest cost for extra vehicle maintenance due to poor road conditions. The price tag is $770 a year in added costs. (more)
September 2009
Debunking More Misinformation on Health Care Reform
In his recent Honolulu Advertiser op-ed, Maui Democratic Party chairman Lance Holter deemed President Obama's health care reform an essential and patriotic plan. His rationale can be summed up as such: The American health care system is a mess because of too little government intervention, thus the solution is more government intervention. (more)
September 2009
Baucus Health Care Bill Also An Epic Failure
Senate Finance Chairman, Max Baucus (D-Mont), introduced his health care bill, America's Healthy Future Act, yesterday. The bill shares many similarities with H.R. 3200 (America's Affordable Health Choices Act), right down to its misleading name and hefty price tag. (more)
September 14, 2009
Honolulu's Energy Hyprocrisy
In 2007, Hawaii state officials unveiled a new plan to reduce city power consumption by 10% by 2017. Two years later, the city is still going in the wrong direction. In figures released today, the city's electricity use has actually increased by almost 15% in the last two years. (more)
September 11, 2009
Hawaii's Revenues Are Disappearing
Hawaii’s Department of Taxation reported that revenue collections were down 5 percent in July and August compared with the last fiscal year, and the Council on Revenues reduced its forecast last month from zero growth to a 1.5 percent drop. Hawaiians have no one other than their elected officials to thank for passing a slew of tax increases that are pushing us deeper into debt. (more)
September 2009
The Latest on Obama's Health Care Reform
The grand, sweeping health care reform promised by President Obama during the 2008 election campaign now lies in shambles. Without any possibility of universal health care and the departure of the public option, Americans are feeling betrayed, elated,sad, or just plain confused. (more)
September 08, 2009
Americans Turning Against the Unions
It looks like Americans' perception of unions is changing. According to Gallup, fewer than half of Americans, or 48 percent, approve of labor unions. A year ago, unions had a 59 percent approval rate. Contributing factors may include backlash against the bailouts and an increasing unemployment rate. (more)
September 05, 2009
Giving ObamaCare Proponents the Finger
The healthcare debate is sure getting heated these days as a 65-year-old man who was against socialized healthcare had his pinky finger bitten off in an argument at a healthcare rally. To be fair, he did punch the other guy first, but was biting off a finger in return really called for? (more)
September 2009
Cutting Costs and Choices for State Workers
State and county workers are in for a few changes to be made in their prescription drug plans next year on January 1. Trustees of the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) enacted reference-based pricing for three categories of drugs that will feature cheaper alternatives to alleviate rising costs. (more)
September 2009
Conservatives for Patients' Rights Tour
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii joined Conservatives for Patients' Rights in a tour to alert the public about the dangers of more government control in health care. Several states (including Hawaii) have tried government-run health care and suffered enormous costs, and their experiences should serve as a valuable lesson for what not to do at the national level. (more)
September 2009
Will Kauai Join the Plastic Bag Ban Wagon?
Last year, Maui passed the state's first municipal ban on plastic bags. The law will take effect in January 2011. The Big Island followed suit, and will encourage businesses to offer 100 percent recyclable paper bags that must be made out of at least 40 percent post-consumer recycled content. Will Kauai be next? (more)
September 2009
Health Care and Life Expectancy Among Americans
Following my blog post about health care systems in France and Cuba compared with the United States, a wise reader, Joe Speroni, was compelled to write me an enlightening message concerning data for infant mortality rates and life expectancies. Many (including columnist Paul Krugman) make the mistake of correlating nationalized health care systems with long life expectancies (more)
September 2009
2009 DOE Trim the Fat Contest Exposes Waste: THE WINNERS!
Contestants Help Hawaii's Education System by Identifying Waste and Inefficiencies
THE 2009 WINNERS! Contest ends with over 100 money saving ideas generated to help DOE trim its budget. (more)
September 01, 2009
Superintendent Hamamoto Taking Chancellor Rhee's Lead?
In June 2007, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty surprised the nation when he selected Michelle Rhee, seen as an unlikely choice, as chancellor of the capitol's public schools. In doing so, he sent a signal that it would not be business as usual in the district. Problems plaguing the D.C. system may sound familiar; despite top-dollar per-pupil spending, students perform at the bottom of the nation. (more)
Blogs
The Mystery of Hawaiian History
Correcting historical revisionism and misconceptions promoted by the Akaka Bill.
Hawaii Spendometer
How Fast Does The State Government Spend Your Money?
$9,122,166,121.47
