HOOSER: Council votes down $4.5M in tax money
Councilmembers voted to keep TVR (transient vacation rental) tax rates lower and postpone new investments in affordable housing.
Legislature took steps backward on climate change
A recent article in TGI (May 10) talked about the legislation the state passed this session regarding the environment and energy.
Letter for Monday, May 16, 2022
• Vaping bill is ineffective
Lucille Ball: A pioneer in film and business
What defines a leader? Our first thoughts may conjure images of righteous public figures who shine behind our television screens. But what about the ones who have innovated the world around us in a less-apparent fashion?
Letters for Sunday, May 15, 2022
• Legislature needs to address cost of living • Incentivize new construction for low-income Kauaians • Raise the minimum age for drivers licensing
VOICES: Here’s ideas to fight homelessness
How can we help to decrease homelessness in Hawai‘i?
Letters for Thursday, May 12, 2022
• Great season, Menehune baseball • Police, county need to end homelessness now • College education should be accessible for all
HOOSER: Many deserve credit for minimum-wage increase
Assuming Governor Ige’s approval, Hawaii’s minimum wage will increase from $10.10 per hour to $12 in October, then phased increases will continue until it reaches $18 in 2028. In addition working families should celebrate the fact that the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) was made permanent and refundable.
Letter for Monday, May 9, 2022
• He’s thankful for Dr. Helen Cox
Lack of art education detrimental to students
Due to budget cuts and the lack of funding public schools receive, art programs are the first to be dropped.
Letters for Wednesday, May 4, 2022
• Dr. Downs saved many lives, won respect • Hard pass on Kai Kahele • Doesn’t want Kauanoa o Koloa
HOOSER: Why I am here, in 3 minutes or 549 words
I had 3 minutes. The group I was speaking to was a new organization, formed to support candidates whose values supported people and the aina. The question I was asked to speak to was: Why are we here?
Letter for Monday, May 2, 2022
• We were promised a better way
Increase electric vehicle infrastructure
Many people here on Kaua‘i, the state and the nation are increasingly interested in moving from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles (EVs) due to climate change concerns and the energy crisis.
VOICES: Things to consider before filing a TRO
During the last few years, you might have noticed a number of discouraging trends with how people are dealing with one another. As a District Court judge, one that’s come to my attention is the increase in filings of non-family temporary restraining orders (TROs) on Kaua‘i — from 171 in 2014 to 236 in 2021.
Letters for Thursday, April 28, 2022
• Pass bills for clean water • No air for the van tire • SB2510 is the climate change accelerator bill
VOICES: On Workers’ Memorial Day, remember Hawai‘i workers whose jobs claimed their lives
Each year, thousands of workers of all ages die needlessly – leaving their families, friends and communities to grieve – when required safety and health standards are ignored.
Letters for Wednesday, April 27, 2022
• Bring on the comments • Hooser should support council districts • Not out of COVID woods yet • Signs, gate at Queen’s Bath make no difference
VOICES: Here’s how you can become Kaua‘i’s mayor
Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy. Elections give ‘we the people’ a voice in our government in the most fundamental way: by deciding who governs. Democracy is what our country, state, cities and counties base their elections on. I would be surprised if anybody likes to see a candidate run for a political office with little to no challenge.
HOOSER: Raise the rage; time to take action on minimum wage
Top executives of Hawaii’s largest publicly traded companies received an average pay increase of more than $750,000 in 2021. Their average take-home pay:$4.5 million (HNN).