by Pearl Hahn 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. Posed with the paper-or-plastic question, many instinctively pick paper, as it is biodegradable, recyclable, and made from a
by Pearl Hahn 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. Actually, dog walkers are permitted around
by Pearl Hahn 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. The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct said the investigations
by Pearl Hahn 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
by Pearl Hahn 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
by Pearl Hahn 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
by Pearl Hahn 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. Congress is in tumult,
by Pearl Hahn 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.
by Pearl Hahn 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
by Pearl Hahn 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 eancourage businesses to offer 100 percent recyclable paper bags that must be made out of at least 40 percent post-consumer
by Pearl Hahn 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. Posed with the paper-or-plastic question, many instinctively pick paper, as it is biodegradable, recyclable, and made from a
by Pearl Hahn 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. Actually, dog walkers are permitted around
by Pearl Hahn 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. The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct said the investigations
by Pearl Hahn 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
by Pearl Hahn 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
by Pearl Hahn 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
by Pearl Hahn 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. Congress is in tumult,
by Pearl Hahn 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.
by Pearl Hahn 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
by Pearl Hahn 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 eancourage businesses to offer 100 percent recyclable paper bags that must be made out of at least 40 percent post-consumer
To the Hawaii Legislature:
Hawaii families face skyrocketing healthcare costs and a shortage of doctors. Exempting medical services from Hawaii’s general excise tax would result in millions of dollars in savings for residents and help bring doctors back.
