Politics

A New-Old Restaurant opened recently in Kaka’ako. It represents a bridge from Hawai’i’s culinary past and honors the gifts passed on by one generation to the next.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka explains. 

The State Department of Health has received more than 580 same-sex marriage applications since the law was enacted three weeks ago.   One department official says he was surprised at that rate.  But as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, marriage equality remains a controversial topic and change will not be overnight.   

Phase One of the 801 South Street project will provide more than 600 so-called affordable work force housing units when it’s completed in about two years.   As HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, the people who believe home ownership in Hawai’i is an impossible task should take the advice of others who purchased a unit at 801 and view it as an opportunity of a lifetime.

An affordable rental high-rise project in Kaka’ako is nearing completion.  A ground breaking ceremony was conducted in January and construction is 2-months ahead of schedule.    HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka got a preview of the building.

Senator Daniel K. Inouye passed away unexpectedly one year ago today…after representing Hawai’i for more than five decades at our nation’s Capitol.   As HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports many political leaders have fond memories of the state’s senior senator.

Governor Neil Abercrombie submitted his administration’s supplemental spending plan for the next two fiscal years to the State legislature today.   Total spending equates to about 12 billion dollars each year.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.     

State Department of Health Director, Loretta Fuddy, died in a light plane crash off the island of Moloka’i Wednesday afternoon.  The single-engine Makani Kai commuter plane, with 9 passengers on board, crashed into the sea about a half-a-mile from the Kalaupapa Peninsula.   Director Fuddy and Deputy Director, Keith Yamamoto, were flying back to Honolulu following their annual visit to the former Leprosy Colony.  The Department of Health conducted a short memorial service for their Director along with other state officials and the Governor.   Fuddy’s niece, Kimberlee Rene Greer, thanked the

The Hawai’i Health Connector, the web-based insurance exchange portal set up to implement the Affordable Care Act, failed to meet its October 1st start-up date.  The system required two more weeks of tweaking before becoming operational.   A joint House Committee received an update on the system today and HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka was there.

The Honolulu City Council attempted to have more of a say on how money from the sale of public rental housing is spent.  The Council approved the initial sale proposal more than two years ago but introduced measures to change or stop the sale.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 35 years old this year, is continuing on its course toward self-determination and self-governance for the state’s recognized indigenous people.    HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka attended the annual “State of the OHA” for this update. 

Privately owned Ni’ihau Island residents are asking state lawmakers to help curtail fishing along their shorelines because their principle source of food is being depleted by commercial fishermen from neighboring islands.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.  

Survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack will commemorate the 72nd anniversary of that “Day of Infamy” Sunday Morning.   A number of survivors have been in Honolulu for a couple of weeks volunteering and raising money.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports …

The Hawai’i Community Development Authority approved construction of a second tower on the former Honolulu Advertiser lot on the corner of Kapi’olani Boulevard  and South Street.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka was there for the public hearing and decision making …   

The Department of Health recorded 179  same-sex marriages today.    HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka visited the Marriage License Office on their first day of new business …  

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.