Politics

Ethnicity as a common denominator in Hawai’i elections is not as pronounced as it once was in the 1950s and 60s.   But as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, ethnicity is still viewed as an important characteristic in local political races.    

Hawai’i Democrats seized power in the Territorial Legislature 60 years ago beginning with the primary election.  This year’s primary could also be a defining moment for the Party as it enters a new era of party membership.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka spoke with those at the epicenter of that movement and files this report.   

Political upsets are rare in Hawai’i and incumbent candidates, especially at the Congressional level, don’t usually lose to lesser- known challengers.   But, as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, that’s not enough to discourage those willing to go against the odds.    

They are the children of Baby Boomers and the next generation of political leaders in Hawai’i.   They have the potential of being a powerful political force in the state if they get involved, run for office and vote.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka has this report.     

The Congressional District One race has 7 Democrats vying for the party’s nomination.   The top three campaign money-raisers in the last month before the Primary Election are making a final push for victory on August 9th.     HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.     

Walk-in Absentee and Early Voting started today at two sites on Oahu.    HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.    

The Lieutenant Governor’s race has been low key.  The candidates have not participated in any joint appearance or forum and it appears unlikely they will meet prior to the August 9 Primary Election.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.    

Twenty-Eight incumbent State House Democrats are running unopposed in the Primary Election and will automatically advance to the General Election, November 4th.  But one of them, former House Speaker Calvin Say, is being challenged in Court to prove his residency in his House District.    HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.     

There are less than 20 days left before the Primary Election, August 9th, and there are no polls to provide a point-in-time look at how political candidates are doing.  Why?  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka explains.    

Most of the candidates running for Hawaii’s First Congressional District – minus Senate President Donna Mercado-Kim -- appeared before a group of nearly 300 realtors today.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.     

It’s 30 days to the Primary Election, August 9th.   The non-partisan Honolulu City Council race to fill the vacancy left by Stanley Chang, who is running for Congress, is in full swing in the state’s wealthiest county council district.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.    

The first batch of 108-thousand permanent absentee ballots will be mailed out to O’ahu voters tomorrow.  That means political television ads will be running full bore for the candidates who can afford them.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka provides a rundown of the spots through the medium of radio.     

A Senate Committee continued its investigation of alleged misconduct at the State Hospital.   Top administrators were ordered to testify today under oath on a number of issues.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.    

More than 500 attendees were on hand today in Waikiki for a first-ever conference focusing on developing the next generation of leaders in Hawai’i.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.    

Department of Defense spending, the 2nd largest source of revenue for the state behind tourism, is facing potential budgetary cuts which could hurt Hawai’i’s economy.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.    

The top Democratic candidates for Governor participated in their last scheduled televised debate.  The  forum was sponsored by Hawai’i News Now and the Honolulu Star Advertiser.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka provides a recap. 

The Honolulu City Council heard public testimony today on 4 bills to address the increasing number of homeless people in public areas.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.     

Today was the Governor’s deadline to veto bills passed by the legislature last session.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka has a rundown of the measures that failed to receive the Governor’s approval.    

The State and Counties’ Chief Executives and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs signed a joint declaration today to launch a sustainability effort that will take place over the next 16 years.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.    

Hawai’i’s 1st Congressional District had the only Asian-majority in the U.S. for decades …a distinction it now shares with San Jose, California.  But as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, the seven candidates vying for the democratic nomination in the primary election are reaching out to the district’s Asian majorities from Waipahu to Hawai’i Kai.    

The Hawai’i Community Development Authority ruled today on two petitions from local residents who are opposed to the construction of neighboring high-rises in Kaka’ako.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.    

Last year, Hawai’i joined 25 other locations in a national effort to end chronic homelessness by 2016.   The first major push is set to launch in about one hundred days.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka has this update.    

Governor Neil Abercrombie signed 16 bills into law today, a majority of them relating to aging and health.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.     

Homelessness in Waikiki is the number one complaint from many of the 200-thousand visitors there on any given day.  That, according to city officials, who are stepping up their efforts to address the problem.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.     

June is National Reunification Month, a time to recognize the efforts of Hawai’i’s courts, child welfare and community service providers who help bring families, many of them torn apart by substance abuse, back together again.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports on one family’s journey to reunification.     

The Veterans Affairs director in Hawai’i wants to assure veterans and the public that he is working hard to provide better access to primary care.   But as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, the problems for one VA patient could highlight how difficult achieving that objective might be.

Hawaii’s Clean Energy Initiative has a goal of achieving a 70 percent reduction of power generated by fossil fuel by the year 2030.  Where we are and how far we have to go was the focus today of a panel discussion at the Hawai’i State Association of Councils annual conference.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.    

Homeownership for many low-income individuals earning between 20-thousand and 53-thousand dollars annually has been out of reach because of Hawai’i’s high-priced real estate.   Until now.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports on one development in the middle of Honolulu that is truly affordable.    

Kaka’ako Waterfront Park, the shoreline site of the popular Point Panic surfing spot in urban Honolulu, costs the state 438-dollars a day for janitorial and trash removal services.  But, according to the Hawai’i Community Development Authority, the state agency that foots the bill, it’s money well spent.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.    

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs data released today indicates Hawai’i veterans have the longest waiting period from the time they apply for health care to their first appointment to see a physician.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka visited the VA Center on O’ahu and files this report.