Posts Tagged ‘ Neil Abercrombie ’

Hilo High Gets $3 Million for New Gym Upgrade

May 25, 2012
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Governor Neil Abercrombie has announced the release of more than $26.8 million for various Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) at school facilities statewide. ?  The largest grant of $3 million is for Hilo High School, to upgrade its new gymnasium to serve as a community emergency shelter.   Hawaii Island State Representative Jerry Chang said in February that the gym was being delayed because the County had not issued building permits.  The County was requiring the Department of Education to meet new building code requirements of being able to sustain winds up to 155 miles per…

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Gov Gone, Schatz and Louie in Charge

May 15, 2012
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Gov Gone, Schatz and Louie in Charge

Governor Neil Abercrombie is out of the state and Lt. Governor Brian Schatz is now Acting Governor, until Friday morning.   The Governor will be visiting family in New York State until Friday, May 18.   On Friday, May 18, 2012, Lt. Governor Schatz will travel to Taiwan and Korea where he will meet with officials, including the president of Taiwan, to promote tourism in Hawai’i and sign a Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation. In January 2012, Governor Abercrombie assigned Lt. Governor Schatz to head an aggressive energy initiative for the State of Hawai’i that…

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Flags to Fly at Half Staff Tuesday for Peace Officers

May 14, 2012
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In observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, Governor Neil Abercrombie has ordered that all national and Hawai’i flags at state offices and agencies as well as the Hawai’i National Guard are to be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, May 15, 2012.   President Barack Obama has issued a proclamation declaring May 15, 2012, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 13 through May 19, 2012, as Police Week. The presidential proclamation called upon all governors to direct that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, and further…

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Governor Names Kealoha as State’s First Ever Poet Laureate

May 3, 2012
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Governor Names Kealoha as State’s First Ever Poet Laureate

Governor Neil Abercrombie on Thursday announced the state’s first official Poet Laureate, the award-winning slam poet, Steven Kealohapau’ole Hong-Ming Wong, who is commonly known by the name Kealoha. Kealoha was pressed into service in the ceremonial position immediately, when he performed the dedication of the Hawai’I State Art Museum’s Sculpture Garden. Kealoha explained in a March, 2011 interview that  “slam poetry” is basically performance poetry…following in the tradition of storytelling, sitting around the campfire telling stories, that kind of thing. The term “slam” is similar to a grand “slam” in tennis, the big competitions. Kealoha…

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Department of Hawaiian Homelands Director Resigns

March 17, 2012
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Department of Hawaiian Homelands Director Resigns

Governor Neil Abercrombie announced Friday that he has accepted the resignation of Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) Director Alapaki Nahale-a, who  will leave the department on May 15, 2012.   “Working for state government at this level has been a rewarding experience but also taxing on a number of levels,” said Director Nahale-a. “While I am proud of all that we’ve accomplished so far, the decision for me to move on is what I believe is best for my family, which is my number one priority.”   Director Nahale-a will assist in transitioning his…

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Governor to Talk in Kona–Public Invited

March 16, 2012
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The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce invites the community to attend the annual focus luncheon with Governor Neil Abercrombie, sponsored by Bank of Hawai’i and Parker Ranch Center, on Thursday, March 29 at Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort.   Governor Abercrombie will speak on issues of importance to our community, and time permitting, he may answer questions from the floor. This event is timed to coincide with the Legislative session, with an expectation that Governor Abercrombie will share his priorities.   In addition, attendees can learn about new and existing businesses at the Kona-Kohala Chamber’s annual Business…

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Big Island Press Club Gives the Gov the Lava Tube Award

March 16, 2012
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The Big Island Press Club this week announced both its Lava Tube Award and its Torch of Light Award.   The group gave Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie the dubious honor of naming him the recipient of the club’s 15th annual Lava Tube award for a number of his actions last year. Like the lava tube itself, the award recognizes the year’s most notable offense for keeping the public in the dark. The Press Club also honors the best efforts to promote openness in Hawaii with the Torch of Light award, which is also presented annually since…

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Unemployment Insurance Bill Postpones Tax Hike

March 11, 2012
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Governor Neil Abercrombie has signed a bill that postpones a scheduled unemployment insurance rate hike for one year.   An automatic rate hike was to have gone into effect this month.  The bill maintains the current rates through the end of the year.  According to lawmakers, this should save business owners statewide around $107 million. The bill was widely supported by businesses.   The increase would have meant that some businesses that now pay $670 per employee would have paid around $1,000. The unemployment insurance rates are set automatically, based on how much the state has in…

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State Board of Education Member De Lima Weighs in on Waimea School

February 13, 2012
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Hilo attorney Brian De Lima is the island’s representative to the State Board of Education, which was appointed by Governor Neil Abercrombie.   De Lima said Monday afternoon  the State Board of Education does not have direct jurisdiction over Waimea Public Conversion Charter School, which is governed first by the nonprofit Ho’okako’o Corp., with appeals possible to the Charter School Review Panel.  He said decisions made by the Charter School Review Panel could be appealed to the State Board. De Lima said he has known Waimea Middle School principal John Colson for at least a decade.  He said…

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USDA Renews Vog Disaster; Farmers Can Get Loans

February 12, 2012
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Release from Governor Neil Abercrombie’s office: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has renewed a disaster declaration for Hawai’i Island due to volcanic emissions from Kilauea Volcano. The declaration is in response to a request from Governor Neil Abercrombie on December 27, 2011, citing continued agricultural production losses caused by vog.   The federal declaration allows Hawai’i County agricultural producers the opportunity to apply for emergency loans due to damage caused by volcanic emissions. This type of disaster assistance has been provided for Hawai’i Island agricultural producers since 2008.   “Many farmers and ranchers on…

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Abercrombie Signing Transplant Bill Today

February 4, 2012
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Governor Neil Abercrombie will sign House Bill 608 into law today,  Saturday, February 4, at 11 a.m. at The Queen’s Medical Center.   The  measure appropriates emergency funds, subject to dollar-for-dollar private  matching funds, to support ongoing services by a qualified provider with  United Network for Organ Sharing certification to perform kidney and liver  transplants in Hawai’i, as well as support a federally-recognized chronic  kidney disease management program.   Hawaii State legislators agreed fairly quickly on the bill after Hawaii Medical Center, the only transplant hospital in the state, recently closed.  This bill will provide…

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Hawaii Island Getting More than $4.6 Million from State for Slaughterhouse, Water

February 2, 2012
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Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of more than $13 million for various Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) that invest in Hawai’i’s local agriculture industry and upgrade the state’s water irrigation infrastructure.?  This includes $4.1 million for the Pa’auillo Slaughterhouse and $500,000 for renovation of the existing water tunnel in Ka’u, along with soe projects on other islands and work affecting State irrigation systems on various islands. “The priority projects being funded will greatly support and expand agriculture in Hawai’i,” said Russell S. Kokubun, chairperson of the Hawai’i Board of Agriculture. “Much of the state’s…

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Governor Abercrombie’s Full State of the State Address

January 23, 2012
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Governor Neil Abercrombie gave his State of the State address to the combined houses of the Hawaii State Legislature, both Senators and members of the House of Representatives.  Several former governors were in attendance, including John Waihe’e, George Ariyoshi, and Ben Cayetano.   The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Mark Recktenwald, and all the Associates Justices were also in attendance. The full text of the Governor’s  speech: “Investing Now for Hawaii’s Future”   ”  Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, former Governors, distinguished justices of the courts, mayors, representatives of our Congressional Delegation, members of the Hawai’i…

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