Politics

December 02, 2013-SESS5

The Department of Health recorded 8 same-sex marriages before opening their doors this morning at 7:45.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka visited the Marriage License Office on their first day of new business.   

Young Hawai’i lawmakers officially launched a bi-partisan effort today to form the next generation of legislative leadership to guide both the State and the City and County of Honolulu.   As HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, the group is the first of its kind in Hawai’i and is modeled after a national initiative.  

Two County Councils, Kaua’i and Hawaii, have enacted “right to know” legislation that require certain Genetically Modified Organism farmers to disclose pesticide use and the types of crops they grow.   Mayor Billy Kenoi is expected to make a decision on the Hawai’i County Council measure in a few days.  Meanwhile, HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka spoke with the stake holders involved in this debate.  

The State Department of Taxation conducted a public hearing on solar photovoltaic tax credits today and is weighing the possibility of making a temporary rule permanent by the end of the year.    As HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, solar PV industry leaders say the department is contributing to market uncertainty and hampering the state’s goal of achieving greater energy independence. 

State Lawmakers received an update from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on its on-going efforts to correct deficiencies noted in a State Audit conducted earlier this year.   The department has come under fire for its handling of leases and enforcement of its rules.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.  

Construction on a 43-story luxury residential condominium in a prime downtown location commenced today with a traditional Hawaiian Blessing and Ground-Breaking.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.  

State Representative Tom Brower created quite a controversy earlier this week with his sledge-hammer attacks on grocery shopping carts in Waikiki as his way to rid the area of homelessness.   The Honolulu City Council has been pursuing another method by creating a new law that would ban lying down on public sidewalks in certain districts.    HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka has been following this story and filed this report. 

The Royal Capitol Plaza condominium was the first residential project approved by the Hawaii Community Development Authority 28 years ago.   As HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, a new project being proposed next door to R-C-P would totally block views on the Ewa side of the building and owners want the project stopped.

The legal challenge against the new law allowing same-sex marriage was heard in state Circuit Court today.   Governor Abercrombie signed the measure into law yesterday and a hearing was scheduled to hear a motion to stop the issuance of same-sex marriage licenses next month.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

Governor Neil Abercrombie presided over an invitation-only bill signing ceremony at the Convention Center today. The state’s chief executive signed the Marriage Equality bill into law following a two-and-a-half week special legislative session. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The State Senate overwhelmingly approved the House version of the Marriage Equality Bill yesterday…clearing the way for the Governor to sign it into law tomorrow morning at 10:30

.    HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka was at the State Capitol for the vote. 

Hawai’i has the highest rate of liver cancer in the nation due to Viral Hepatitis. The community-based Hepatitis Free Hawai’i Coalition expects those rates to go up even higher in the coming years and its members are attempting to encourage more doctors to get involved to provide full treatment. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.    

What is priced at nearly 5-dollars a square inch with prices still rising?   Yes, a postage-size piece of real estate in Waikiki.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka went to see the lowest priced fee simple studio apartment for sale in the area.     

The full House approved Senate Bill One yesterday on second reading 30-to-18 with three members excused. This sets the stage for a final House vote Friday on the marriage equality legislation which is expected to draw more demonstrations and proposed changes to the bill. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka was at yesterday’s proceedings and filed this report.

  A Joint House Committee ended public testimony this afternoon on the marriage equality bill. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

Today was day four of a marathon public hearing session conducted by the joint House Judiciary and Finance Committees on the marriage equality bill.  The measure is the focus of a Special Legislative Session called by the Governor.  Today’s hearing started with an estimated 500 more testifiers to go.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

More than 3,800 people had signed up by mid-day today to testify for or against the marriage equality bill currently being reviewed by the Legislature during a Special Session. The Senate passed the measure Wednesday and it was the House of Representatives’ turn to conduct its public hearing. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.   

   The State Senate voted overwhelmingly today to approve the Marriage Equality bill drafted by lawmakers and the Executive Branch. The landslide vote came as no surprise, but as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, many lawmakers relished the moment in crossing a milestone in Hawai’i’s legislative and social history.

Welfare fraud has uncovered a number of high profile cases in Hawaii, including that of a Waikiki man accused of stealing more than $200,000 in public assistance money. The State Department of Human Services is working hard to investigate and help prosecute those who attempt to rip off the system. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. 

The Hawai’i Legislature convened in special session today to consider a measure to grant marriage equality for same-sex couples.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka attended the proceedings at the State Capitol and filed this report …  

In our continuing series, “Neighbors: An Island Story”, HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka takes a look at Hawaii’s political evolution once dominated by ethnic bloc voting due to the waves of immigrant labor brought in to work in the sugar industry, to one in which ethnicity has diminished in importance.

Six Senate and House Committees received an update on the Hawai’i Health Connector today. Lawmakers were told the goal is to have the state’s insurance website fully operational by October 15th, two weeks late.

But, of greater concern to some lawmakers, was the impending financial impact the Affordable Care Act will have on small businesses in Hawai’i. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.
 

In our continuing series, “Neighbors: An Island Story”, we take a look at the U.S. Army in Hawai’i, and its emerging role in the "Pacific Century."

One out of four Hawai’i residents claims a multi-ethnic heritage, the highest proportion in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In his first installment in HPR’s “Neighbors: An Island Story” series, HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka visited with one local family for a baby luau, a celebration of diversity and the melting pot Hawai’i has become.

This is day three of the federal government shutdown…but one on-going project that is commercially funded continues: Army tests using Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicles.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports …   

Affordable Work Force Housing in downtown Honolulu came under fire from nearby residents and historic preservation groups…who oppose construction of the 400-foot tower in Kaka’ako.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka attended the standing-room only meeting at the Hawaii Community Development Authority and filed this report  …   

The Federal Shutdown hit home this morning, as thousands of federal workers in Hawai’i were put on furlough status, unsure if and when they would be called back to work. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka visited the state’s largest federal employer, Pearl Harbor. 

The Hawai’i Health Connector, the state’s insurance marketplace, goes online tomorrow as part of the federal Affordable Care Act. The Hawai’i Association of Public Accountants conducted a panel discussion today on the impacts of Health Connector rates on individuals and small businesses. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

According to a number of national reports, Hawaii ranks number three for solar photovoltaic generation for electricity, behind Arizona and Nevada. The entire PV industry has grown exponentially throughout the state over the last few years, but the question is will that growth continue into the future? That was the focus of a ThinkTech - Venture Capital Association discussion panel today. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The Hawai’i Health Connector, the state’s insurance portal that will be used to implement the federal Affordable Care Act, is set to go online Tuesday. There are an estimated 100,000 residents who do not have any medical coverage, and Waikiki Health is gearing up for what could be an increase in demand in an already underserved community. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.