Posts Tagged ‘ Governor Neil ’

Akaka Will Not Seek Re-election

March 2, 2011
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Akaka Will Not Seek Re-election

Senator Daniel J. Akaka announced Wednesday he will not seek reelection.  His seat is up for re-election in November, 2012.  Senator Akaka has held the  second Hawaii Congressional seat for 22 years.  Prior to that, he served in the United States House of Representatives for 13 years.  He is 86 years old. Senator Daniel K. Inouye is Hawaii’s senior United States Senator, and is also 86.  In a televised interview last week,  Senator Inouye said he would not be able to offer financial support to Akaka if he decided to run.  PBS Television’s hosts of…

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Governor Cancels Travel Plans

February 24, 2011
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Governor Neil Abercrombie has canceled plans to attend the National Governor’s Association conference in Washington, D. C.  The governor awoke yesterday, his initial scheduled day of departure, and did not feel well.   He is being treated for an inner ear inflammation, which is preventing him from flying.

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Governor’s Office Gets Funding

February 24, 2011
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Governor Neil Abercrombie has signed into law a bill to fund the operations of the Executive Branch for the rest of the fiscal year.  Senate Bill 1286 provides $1,423,750 to fund the Offices of the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor until June 30, 2011.  The funding includes $345,000 that is due to former Governor Linda Lingle’s staff for unused vacation.  The funds will also be used to hire staff and purchasing computers.  Abercrombie’s Chief of Staff, Amy Asselbaye, said the funds will bring the total amount allocated to the Governor’s office to $2.7 million, compared…

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Governor Abercrombie Signs Civil Unions Bill

February 23, 2011
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Governor Neil Abercrombie signed historic legislation today that makes Civil Unions legal in the State of Hawaii. Governor Abercrombie paid tribute to the State Legislature for having civic courage and a public conscience.   He said that diversity and acceptance are hallmarks in our state.   He acknowledged that there will continue to be differences of opinion over the matter of Civil Unions among those who favor or object to them.  But he also said he appreciated having all points of view experessed.  He said he felt this bill represents equal rights for all, and is the…

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Abercrombie Reveals Budget

February 21, 2011
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Abercrombie Reveals Budget

Governor Neil Abercrombie and State Budget and Finance Director Kalbert Young presented a  $22.7 billion budget for the period July 1, 2011 through fiscal 2013 at a press conference Monday. Abercrombie says the budget focuses on providing basic services includes repealing tax exemptions, making the tax code fairer, and pulls back on social services for which there is no funding source. The state is facing an $844 million deficit through 2013.  Abercrombie will present the budget to the State Legislature tomorrow, Tuesday, February 22.   The Legislature will review the budget and either confirm it and…

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Civil Unions Bill Sent to Governor Abercrombie

February 16, 2011
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Civil Unions Bill Sent to Governor Abercrombie

The Hawaii State Senate has passed the Civil Union Measure (SB 232 SD1HD1).  It now goes to Governor Neil Abercrombie.  The Governor has ten legislative days to either veto the measure, sign it, or let it become law without his signature. Governor Abercrombie is expected to sign the bill.  He issued the following statement: “I have always believed that civil unions respect our diversity, protect people’s privacy, and reinforce our core values of equality and aloha.   I appreciate the time and effort invested by those who shared their thoughts and concerns regarding civil unions in…

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UH Regent Candidates Announced

February 12, 2011
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The Regents Candidate Advisory Council has presented Governor Neil Abercrombie with a list of candidates for four seats on the University of Hawaii Board of Regents.   The affairs of the university fall under the general management and control of the regents. The candidates for the Hawaii County seat are real estate consultant and agricultural property manager Carl A. Carlson, Jr. and coffee farmer and former university professor Sandra W. Scarr.   Scarr also breeds and raises labradors. The candidates for two Honolulu seats that are opening are Terri T. Fujii, Mark H. Fukunaga, Coralie C. Matayoshi,…

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Governor Seeks New Education Board Member

February 2, 2011
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Governor Seeks New Education Board Member

Governor Neil Abercrombie has announced he is seeking applicants to fill one open seat on the State Board of Education.   The vacancy was created last week when Lei Ahu Isa resigned.  Those interested in being appointed to the Board of Education may apply at the Governor’s web site, hawaii.gov/gov.

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Palafox Declines Department of Health job **Updated

January 26, 2011
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Palafox Declines Department of Health job **Updated

Governor Neil Abercrombie’s office announced that Dr. Neal Palafox asked that his nomination as Director of the State Department of Health be withdrawn.  Governor Abercrombie has agreed.  Palafox gave no reason.  Aberrombie must now nominate a new person for the post, who will be subject to Senate confirmation. **Update:  Hawaii News Now is reporting Dr. Palafox is under criminal investigation by the State Attorney General for medical reimbursement fraud.   Big Island News Center has not confirmed this.  And the Department of Health said Dr. Palafox has said he has no knowledge of such an investigation.…

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Gov Abercrombie Seeks Board and Commission Members

January 20, 2011
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Governor Neil Abercrombie is looking for a few good appointees to place on more than 150 state boards and commissions. A statement from the governor’s office on Wednesday said applications are being accepted on its website, hawaii.gov/gov/about/boards-commissions.html. Members of the public can apply for positions or recommend someone else. The statement noted that one of the panels to which Abercrombie wants to appoint is the now-elected state Board of Education. Voters in November approved a constitutional amendment allowing the governor to choose the board’s members. But the Legislature has to pass  legislation delineating the specific…

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Abercrombie Names Gil Kahele to Senate District 2

January 11, 2011
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Governor Neil Abercrombie today appointed Gil Kahele to represent Senate District 2, which includes Waiakea Uka, Kalapana, Volcano, and Kahuku.  The seat was vacated when Senator Russell Kokubun resigned to take the position of Director of the Department of Agriculture in the Abercrombie administration. Kahele was Abercrombie’s East Hawaii campaign chair.  He worked for the Department of Defense for 37 years, including in the Public Works Division at the Naval Communication Station in Wahiawa, Oahu, and at Pohakuloa Training Area.  Kahele is former chair of Hawaii County Police Commission and resides in Hilo. Nine candidates…

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County Dems Select Possible Kokubun Replacement

January 9, 2011
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Hawaii Island’s Democratic Party has selected three candidates to be considered to replace State Senator Russell Kokubun (Hilo, Puna, Volcano).     The candidates are Gil Kahele, Anthony Marzi, and Russell Ruderman.  Kahele is a former Pohakuloa Training Area public works employee and was the East Hawaii chairman for Abercrombie’s 2010 Gubernatorial campaign.    Anthony Marzi is a database administrator who unsuccessfully challenged State Representative Faye Hanohano in the last election.  Russell Ruderman is the owner of the Island Naturals natural food store chain. Nine candidates had filed to be considered for the position.  In addition to Kahele,…

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Senator Solomon Withdraws from DHHL Lawsuit

January 9, 2011
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New State Senator Malama Solomon (D, Hilo-Hamakua-Waimea), has told the Tribune-Herald she is withdrawing from a lawsuit she and other Native Hawaiian homesteaders filed in 2009 against the State Department of Hawaiian Homelands.   Solomon is one of 17 plaintiffs seeking to force the DHHL to install a water system to serve their leased land in Honoka’a.   Although Solomon hasn’t changed her mind about DHHL being required to provide water, she says her new position in the Senate will put her in a position of having a conflict of interest.  Solomon will be on the Senate’s…

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