State Legislature: Budget work is only half of it
While Hawai‘i’s legislative leadership is crowing loudly about their proclivity in spending the COVID-19 disaster money, balancing the state budget and avoiding public-worker layoffs and salary cuts, there is far too much still going undone.
COVID-19 conspiracy or conundrum
While my first inclination is to avoid the topic, the increasing amount of theoretical speculation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic motivates me to weigh in on the issue.
Putting policy, politics and pandemics into perspective
There is nothing quite like taking a long walk on the beach to put life in perspective.
Where I live there are rainbows, and we help each other
In March 2006, Nancy Arcayna wrote in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin that every time Hector Venegas hears the song “Hawaiian Lullaby” he is reminded of his daughter, Krista.
Foresight, not hindsight should be our legislatures goal
2020 vision and decisive action by our state legislature is needed now more than ever. Hawaii cannot afford to wait until 2021.
Kauai and neighbor-islands poised to lead economic recovery
“Essentially, economists say, there won’t be a fully functioning economy again until people are confident that they can go about their business without a high risk of catching the virus.” New York Times April 6, 2020.
Pandemic priorities – thinking ahead
While our first priority is personal health and then the economic realities of today, we must also at some point soon talk about what comes tomorrow.
Covid-19, County leadership and moving forward
Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami should be commended for his leadership in guiding Kauai County through these past very difficult few weeks. His daily updates have provided a calm, consistent and reassuring message that appropriate measures are being put into place to limit the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Covid-19 and the 48% living on the edge
These are crazy, dangerous times. The fear, tension, and panic of the coronavirus pandemic have clearly taken over all aspects of our daily lives. The entire planet is enveloped in the same hysteria and threatened by the same pathogen which does not discriminate due to nationality, race, color, religion, gender or sexual preference. Arguably it does discriminate by age and by income. Older people die in greater numbers and people who can afford to travel are the primary transmitters.
An exercise in civic engagement
Game on. HB2541 HD1 which among other things proposes to increase Hawaiii’s minimum wage to $13, is scheduled for its first hearing in the Hawaii State Senate Committee on Labor, Culture and the Arts, this coming Thursday, March 12 at 3:15pm in room #224 at the Capitol on Oahu.
On choosing a 7th Councilmember
It’s inevitable that Arthur Brun will either resign or be removed from the Kauai County Council. The public pressure will grow until at some point in the not too distant future, Councilmembers and or the ethics commission will no longer be able to avoid confronting the issue.
A users’ guide to three local elections
June 2nd is the deadline for candidates to file for public office and August 8th is the date of Hawai’i’s primary election.
Predicting Council Votes/Actions – Bill 2775
Today, on the Kauai County Council Agenda is Bill 2775, a measure introduced by Councilmembers Mason Chock and KipuKai Kuali‘i that would effectively ban the use of most styrofoam or polystyrene fast-food containers. This in my opinion is a very good thing (and this is an opinion column for those that are concerned about my offering an opinion).
Looking the other way is not an option
Drinking from a fire hose, blind-folded with both arms tied behind your back. This is a description that comes to mind when folks ask me to describe what it’s like working in the legislative arena as an advocate.
Let’s not do an Iowa – Voting the Democratic Primary
The news is finally coming out of Iowa! Well, not really. I’m guessing it will be several more days before the final, final, final results are announced.
Legislative Primer #101
A testifier stated at a recent legislative hearing, “I’m very happy to participate in this process because I was born in a country where this is not possible.”
$13 by 2024 is not a ‘good first step’
Anyone working 40 hours a week, deserves to earn a wage sufficient to provide a dry and safe place to sleep, 3 meals a day and basic health care.
All politics is local — Kapaa traffic
All politics is local — which is why I can’t figure out why we are still stuck in Kapaa traffic.
The top 5 reasons not to vote
1. Exercising the right and opportunity to help select those who control natural resource protection, social justice protections, and taxing authority would be irresponsible and only further empower the bad guys. #nottrue
Trump impeached, Kagawa eyes House, open council seats
Happy New Year! 2020 is going to be a great year in policy and politics, of that I am sure.