Monthly Archives: April 2009

April 30, 2009

Caltech Is Decommissioning Their Mauna Kea Telescope,County Sales Tax Is Dead, Hawaii Ceded Lands Legislation Moving Forward

By Aaron Stene

Caltech has announced plans to decommission of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory on Mauna Kea.I wonder if this closure has anything to do with the State of California’s financial problems. After all the latter was probably a big reason why the California Institute of Technology stuck a 12 million dollar astronomy viewing time deal with Yale University. Which will give Yale’s astronomy department 15 nights of astronomy viewing at the W.M. Keck Observatory per year.

[ Tom at A Pacific View left this comment in regards to Caltech decommissioning  their telescope on Mauna Kea.

"Aaron,

I left the following comment at The Big Island Chronicle, unfortunately after you had read the article.

“Firstly, the HTH article is a little misleading as it infers that the telescope will close soon. The decommissioning date is 2016 with the site returned to its original state by 2018.”

“Secondly, the reason for closing the CSO, according to Caltech, is due to the construction of a next-generation submillimter telescope in Chile called the Cornell Caltech Atacama Telescope which will essentially supercede the CSO.”

“I don’t believe there is any connection between the planned closure and the TMT, they are two completely different types of telescope and the planned site for the TMT on Mauna Kea is nowhere near the current location of the CSO.”

Tom"

Aaron- Thanks for the clarification. The proposed construction of the TMT on Mauna Kea never crossed my mind why Caltech is decommissioning their telescope. I figured it was due to the State of California’s financial problems ?"]

It appears the legislature has deferred legislation allowing the counties to levy a sales tax (HB 1605). This likely because because the county mayors have come out in opposition.This legislation was a obvious ploy by the legislature  to strip the counties of their share of the Transient Accommodation Tax.However this deferment probably means that its less likely they’ll strip the counties of their share of the TAT revenue now.

Lastly, I noticed this tweet about the legislature’s action in the Hawaii ceded lands litigation.

“House/Senate agreed upon Senate conf. draft of ceded lands bill SB1677 requiring a two-thirds approval by both chambers for sale/transfer”

2 comments | posted in Hawaii Development, Hawaii Economy, Hawaii Politics

April 29, 2009

Boycott Hawaii Update,Hawaii County’s Wasteful Expenditures,HB 1744 Consequences,Hawaii County Employee Internet Scandal Update

By Aaron Stene

RJ Mendoza did a follow up blog entry here on this group’s boycott of Hawaii because the state of Hawaii refused to release President Obama’s birth certificate. It seems the primary backer of this group (Andy Martin) has a very questionable background.On top of that he obviously has huge issues with President Obama.

Thus it wouldn’t surprise me that he is trying to uncover if President Obama is a naturalized US citizen (In a recent e-mail exchange, he asserts that his group has no position if President Obama is a naturalized citizen. His group wants the actual document because of its historical nature).

The questioning of President Obama’s citizenship is absurd. Thus Andy Martin is wasting everyone’s time with this frivolous boycott that could harm Hawaii’s bread and butter industry, tourism.

It is absolutely insane that Hawaii County has spent (or committed) 23 million dollars over the last 10 years to lease commercial space for government offices.The list of lessor is a laundry list of political & business insiders. Thus there is a need for better controls and transparency when these leases are executed.

Margaret Wille wrote up a very insightful blog post here detailing the severe consequences if the legislature suspends paying the counties their share of the Transient Accommodation Tax.

Lastly, RJ Mendoza for pointed out this HTH article about the latest in the Hawaii County employee Internet scandal.It looks like there might be an initial release of county employee Internet usage data by late May. The latter is certainly a very good sign.

3 comments | posted in Hawaii Economy, Hawaii Politics

April 28, 2009

Young Brothers Vs Pasha,SB 884 Update,President Obama Haters Declare War On Hawaii,Legislature Closer To Stripping Counties Of TAT Revenue,Coupe Attorneys Pushing A Obvious Political Agenda In Hokulia Bypass Litigation

By Aaron Stene

Young Brothers has filed a motion of opposition with the Hawaii PUC regarding Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines LLC request to enter the Hawaii inter island freight transport market.I concur with Young Brothers assertion that Pasha wants to service only the most profitable harbors and ultimately steal business from Young Brothers.Where is the fairness in doing that ? In a nutshell, this has nothing to do with Hawaii’s poor business climate.The latter is a smoke screen for the real issue of Pasha wanting an unfair advantage over YB.Thus if Pasha wants to provide service inter island they should service all the same harbors YB services.

Hat tip to Alan McNarie for the blogging about the legislature’s delay in hearing SB 884. This bill would allow the State of Hawaii to raid a number of special funds with excess money to help balance the the budget.

I cannot believe the gall of this group declaring war on Hawaii. They are really miffed that the State of Hawaii refused to allow the release of President Obama’s birth records.(Hat tip to RJ Mendoza).

It looks like the legislature is one step closer from stripping the counties of their Transient Accommodation Tax revenue. The joint Senate/House conference committee hashing out HB 1744 has given the counties until Thursday to decide if they want to have the authority to impose retail sales tax.

I’m thrilled that the bankruptcy court may block Mesa Airlines from licensing the Aloha Airlines name again.It would be utterly blasphemous towards the rich history of Aloha Airlines if Mesa re-branded Go as Aloha. Especially since Go was huge reason why Aloha ceased service.

Lastly, there was an excellent WHT letter to the editor about the Hokulia bypass debacle today. It strongly appears that the Coupe’s attorneys are using this litigation to further their political agenda as so far with land use and eminent domain. In other words they are angling to take this case all the way the US Supreme Court to try to overturn the Kelo v. City of New London decision.

3 comments | posted in Hawaii Development, Hawaii Economy, Hawaii Planning, Hawaii Politics, Hawaii Technology, Hawaii Transportation

April 27, 2009

Andy Parx’s Disgusting Support Of Rep. Joe Bertram,Federal Economic Stimulus Legislation’s Local Impact,Hawaii PUC Won’t Have Regulatory Oversight of Hawaiian Telcom,Hawaii County Bulldozer Scandal,Hawaii County Employee Internet Scandal

By Aaron Stene

I’m utterly disgusted by blogger Andy Parx’s support of Rep. Joe Bertram’s defense of a child sex predator. Andy stated this on his blog :

“Of course Bertram was absurdly painted as being “pro child molester” even though he was defending a once-sacred constitutional right that has been tossed aside but this couldn’t have endeared him to many in law enforcement who chose the expediency of shredding the constitution over the legitimacy of good police work.”

I guess Andy has never seen Chris Hansen’s MSNBC series To Catch a Predator. It is certainly not a imaginary crime especially when they expose their genitalia  over a web cam.These folks were also busted with alcohol,condoms, and other gifts.Thus in a nutshell this all shows probable cause that they were fully intending on having sex with a minor.

In Rep. Joe Bertram’s buddy’s case, his friend perpetrated this before he was busted for soliciting sex with a minor :

“Police told the Maui News that Marcantonio arranged the November 2007 meeting after numerous e-mails, a telephone call and a sexual demonstration via Webcam.”

On top of that, he admitted this to the police :

“he had done this before” with a 15-year-old Oahu girl”

Andy, your support of Rep. Bertram is simply disgusting !

Federal economic stimulus money should be starting to have a impact here, according to this PBN article.35 million dollars of these funds will be used locally to build the first phase of the Ane Keohokalole highway.

SB 603 passed the legislature today. This legislation would eliminate any Hawaii PUC regulatory oversight of Hawaiian Telcom.Larry Geller chimes in a again here criticizing this legislation.I think Larry believes in tin foil hats since he feels that this bill simply corporate welfare and will result higher land line costs. However the latter is not reality. This bill simply levels the playing field. Oceanic Time Warner’s digital phone service, or the numerous statewide cellular phone providers are not regulated by the Hawaii PUC. But on the flip side Hawaiian Telcom is currently heavily regulated putting them at a competitive disadvantage.

There was a excellent WHT letter to the editor about the Hawaii County bulldozer scandal. There really needs to be an investigation why C&H Ishii General Contractors got such a sweetheart deal from the county.

Rep. Lynn Finnegan had a excellent commentary here explaining the negative effects of raising the Transient Accommodation Tax.

I hope the legislature does something meaningful to address our state’s medical crisis.But I’m not entirely hopeful. After all they dropped the ball on medical tort reform once again.

Lastly, I received this e-mail from Hawaii County Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida about the Hawaii County employee Internet scandal.He also sent me a copy of  Hawaii County’s e-mail and Internet usage policy.

Internet and Email investigation

“In responding to questions regarding the internet and email investigation, enclosed is the current internet and email use policy in effect in our County. From the time this investigation started, we received some “tips” from various County employees regarding what may be characterized as the inappropriate use of the internet (both content and duration of use) by County workers. This is part of the reason Mayor Kenoi indicated that the period of January 2008 through December 2008 would be the initial focus; to look at internet use by County employees during political campaign season.

If it is determined a violation of the County’s policy occurred, the matter will be referred to the employee’s appointing authority for disciplinary action. At that point in time, it will be up to the appointing authority whether or not to release the information publicly, applying UIPA guidelines and standards. This is the point in time where the investigation is completed, disciplinary action is meted out (if any), and where the public’s right to know may outweigh any significant privacy interest. Also at this point in time there is no longer a “frustration” argument under the UIPA, and this favors public release.

If it is determined illegal gambling or profiting from private business activity using County resources occurred, the matter will be referred to the Prosecuting Attorney. The criminal law standard with respect to the public dissemination of investigatory records will apply.

I want to stress that with respect to the focus of the investigation; gambling and private business use; it is not a widespread problem within the County. However the responsible thing is to investigate even if it turns out the allegations are without merit.”

4 comments | posted in Hawaii Development, Hawaii Economy, Hawaii Health, Hawaii Planning, Hawaii Politics, Hawaii Technology, Hawaii Transportation

April 26, 2009

Legislature Raiding Special Funds Again,Hawaii County Employee Internet Scandal,NELHA Critical To Hawaii County,BANANA Facet Of Community Derailing Alternative Energy Projects

By Aaron Stene

It seems the beat goes on with SB 884 raiding government special funds with excess money to balance the state budget. However I had thought the Hawaii Supreme Court ruling in the Hawai’i Insurance Council v. Lingle case declared that these raids were illegal ? [hat tip to Alan McNarie]

Damon Tucker uncovered this statement from Hawaii County Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida about the Hawaii County employee Internet scandal. Doug at Poinography raises a excellent point about this statement here that the county will likely not stop collecting this data if they really want to stop this abuse. Thus you could infer that there is will be no “proper timing” to release this information publicly.

There was a interesting WHT article breaking down the history, current and future plans for NELHA. This facility is critical for the future of Hawaii County’s economy. Aquaculture, creating bio petroleum from algae, etc will go a long way to diversifying our economy.

I’d like to nit pick about that latter WHT article. The reporter could’ve looked on the Hawaii legislature’s website and saw HB 1352 didn’t get a House committee hearing. Thus it is dead for this current legislative session.

Lowell Kalapa commentary here is spot on about Hawaii legislature is missing an opportunity. They should be looking at downsizing government instead of raising taxes.

Hawaii County Councilwoman Brenda Ford at least has some foresight by introducing two resolutions which would urge that all non union employees in the legislative and executive branches get furloughed one day a month.

Lastly, I disagree with Larry Geller’s commentary at Disappeared Newswhy wind power work in Hawaii.As it stands now we are dangerously dependent on fossil fuels.Thus it is a huge mistake to write off implementing any of these alternative energy proposals just yet. However the latter has already started by the BANANA (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything) facet of the community with the proposed Lanai wind farm and the Penguin Bank wind and wave power project.

2 comments | posted in Hawaii Development, Hawaii Economy, Hawaii Planning, Hawaii Politics, Hawaii Technology, Hawaii Transportation

April 25, 2009

Hawaiian Telcom Should Be Free Of Regulatory Oversight,HB 984,1744 Updates,DPW Asphalt Tack Coat Scandal Heating Up,

By Aaron Stene

I think its a good thing that the legislature is considering legislation that would eliminate the Hawaii PUC oversight of Hawaiian Telcom.Hawaiian Telcom’s competitors like Oceanic Time Warner and cellular phone providers do not face the same local regulatory scrutiny. Thus this legislation will level the playing field and allow HawTel to better compete.

However Larry Geller of Disappeared News feels that SB 603 is simply corporate welfare legislation that will only benefit Hawaiian Telcom’s owner, The Carlyle Group.That is a utterly ridiculous assertion. Why should Hawaiian Telcom have to be hamstrung by bureaucracy while their competitors are not ?

In other broadband news, HB 984 which would move the telecommunications oversight from the Hawaii PUC and the cable tv oversight from the DCCA to a new entity is stalled in conference committee.

HB 1744 which would change the counties share of the Transient Accomodation Tax has been deferred until next Tuesday by the conference committee.

It think it is wise that the legislature has decided to hold off banning any new fossil fuel power plants Especially since NIMBY’s are coming out in force to block alternative energy projects.

The DPW asphalt tack coat scandal is heating up again.HMP Inc’s attorney is getting close to filing a lawsuit against Hawaii County for their actions in this matter. I’m happy see that the DPW has disciplined the individual that caused this breach of contract. However I suspect that this is only the tip of the iceberg. Mayor Kenoi and DPW Director Warren Lee really need to clean house in the DPW division.

Lastly, if the State want tourists to come back the Transient Accomodation Tax should not be increased.

Leave a comment | posted in Hawaii Development, Hawaii Economy, Hawaii Planning, Hawaii Politics, Hawaii Technology, Hawaii Transportation

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