November 2008
Sunshine on the Akaka Bill
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has three major goals with regard to the so-called Akaka Bill: to educate the Hawaii public with regard to the Akaka bill, to educate the US public and their elected representatives and to demand a vote of all the people of Hawaii before any establishment of a separate government in Hawaii could be put into effect. (more)
November 2008
Truly Progressive Education Reform
Does Sweden Have an Answer?
Curiously, the idea of using government money to help send children to private schools is considered a very right-wing, conservative notion. Granted, in the U.S. it is mostly Republicans who support the concept, with Democrats against. Thus we have the odd situation of liberals opposing a government hand-out that has the potential to mostly benefit the poor and minorities. Not very progressive of them. (more)
November 2008
Finding Solutions to Oahu’s Traffic Gridlock
Hawaii, and in particular the island of Oahu where the majority of residents live, has been a battleground for mass transit advocates and opponents over the last 30 years. The fight over the best alternatives to traffic congestion has intensified as the state’s population has swollen to 1.2 million, with more than 800,000 people residing on Oahu, the majority of whom prefer to commute by automobile, the more personalized, convenient and flexible transit option. With more commuters driving to and from work, dropping their children at school and other activities, traffic has naturally become more congested, particularly on Oahu’s freeways during the morning and afternoon drives times. (more)
November 2008
Getting Less for More
Feeding the Government Education System in Hawaii
Governor Linda Lingle’s request for all departments to provide a budgetary reduction plan is causing heated debate among stakeholders in Hawaii’s public education system. As the Board of Education struggles to make $46 million in cuts on a $2.4 billion budget, it is an ideal time to review the money that has been spent and the results of this investment. The Department of Education Operating Budget has grown from $972 million in FY 99‐00 to $2.4 billion in FY 08‐09.1 The current proposed reduction of $46 million represents a mere 1.9% cut of the entire budget. (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
