Posts Tagged ‘ State Legislature ’

Pa’auilo Slaughterhouse Project Starts

October 17, 2012
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The County of Hawai’i held a blessing Tuesday morning, October 16, to commence $4.15 million worth of improvements to the State-owned slaughterhouse in Pa’auilo. Funds for the improvements were appropriated by the State Legislature and released by the Governor directly to the County of Hawai‘i to implement improvements that will help secure the future of Hawai‘i Island’s grass-fed beef industry.   “If the rancher cannot ranch and the farmer cannot farm, we’re all in trouble. This isn’t all that we need, but it’s an important first step. We look forward to Hawai‘i Island being able…

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PLDC to Hold Second Round of Public Meetings

October 14, 2012
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The  State Public Lands Development Corporation board has voted to hold a second round of public hearings to review newly-developed rules with the community, statewide.  The controversial organization  raised the public’s ire in its first round of meetings, not just on Hawaii Island but statewide, in presenting what opponents have said is a poorly-conceived plan that will remove all usual oversights from new development of those lands under the jurisdiction of the state agency. The PLDC was approved by the State Legislature during its last session.    The lands include many of the state properties that…

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Pa’auilo Slaughterhouse Upgrade Starts Tuesday

October 13, 2012
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The Pa’auilo Slaughterhouse is about to get a facelift in a step forward for Hawaii Island’s agriculture sector.   This Tuesday, October 16, the County of Hawai’i will break ground for $4.15 million worth of improvements to the State owned slaughterhouse.  The event will take place at the slaughterhouse this Tuesday, October 16 at 10:00 a.m.   The improvements have been long asked-for by Hawaii Island cattlemen and ranchers.   Funds for the improvements were appropriated by the State Legislature and released by the Governor directly to the County of Hawaii to implement improvements that will help…

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State GET Revenues Up 2012 Over 2011

October 12, 2012
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State revenues are up, which bode well for the economy’s future.   Since the start of this fiscal year on July 1, 2012, the state has taken in $1.3 Billion in General Excise Tax revenues, which is 10 % more than last year at the same time. GET is collected on almost anything sold in the State, including services, and is an important source of revenue. For Hawaii Island residents, an uptick in state revenues means there is less likelihood  the State Legislature will try  to lessen Hawaii Island’s share of the Transient Accommodation Tax, sometimes…

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County Ready to Go on Ka’u Gym and Shelter

July 18, 2012
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County Ready to Go on Ka’u Gym and Shelter

Ka‘u District residents will see their ideas and dreams for a community gym and emergency center begin to take shape this fall with the start of construction on the new Ka‘u District Gym & Shelter.   The County of Hawai‘i recently awarded the $17 million construction contract to Summit Construction; construction is expected to begin this September and last approximately 18 months to complete.       The funding was originally allocated by the State Legislature, and assigned to the Department of Education to provide an upgrade to the Ka’u Gym to provide an emergency shelter for the district. …

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Chamber of Commerce Holding Golf Fundraiser at Hokulia

May 14, 2012
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Chamber of Commerce Holding Golf Fundraiser at Hokulia

The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament tees off Monday, May 21, at The Club at Hokulia.   They are inviting members, community members, and visitors to sign up now for a chance to raise funds for a worthy organization and play on a terrific and exclusive golf course.   The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce is a Hawaii Island based nonprofit organization to support and promote local businesses.   They’re raising funds to help support their mission and vision, and provide support, information, and workshops for their members.   The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce has more than…

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State Legislature Agrees on Budget

April 28, 2012
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State legislators have now agreed on a state budget.  The operating budget will be $11.2 million.  And the Capital Improvement Budget will be $428 million. The CIP was the sticking point for agreement.  The State House wanted $300 million to go to Capital Improvements.  The State Senate wanted $500 million.  The final amount was pretty much a split of the difference. State Senators and State House members must now come to resolution on a number of other bills that are finance-related.  The deadline for those bills was to be last Friday, but has been extended…

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State Rep Nakashima Sets Leg Update Meetings

April 28, 2012
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State Rep Nakashima Sets Leg Update Meetings

State House Representative Mark Nakashima, a Democrat representing State House District 1 (North Kohala, South Kohala, Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo) will hold community briefings after the closing of the State Legislature.  He’ll give a summary of key issues and answer questions, including about the operating budget and the Capital Improvements Budget. The meeting schedule: Hamakua Community Tuesday, May 15, 2012 5:00 PM North Hawaii Education & Research Center (NHERC), Honokaa, Conference Room (Following the Opening of the Plantation Life on the Big Island Exhibit- NHERC 3:00PM)   Rural South Hilo Community Monday, May 21,…

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Lobster, Kona Crab Season Closing May 1

April 9, 2012
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Lobster, Kona Crab Season Closing May 1

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) reminds the public that the season for taking ula and ula papapa (spiny and slipper lobsters) and Kona crabs in state waters will be closed starting on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. The closed season extends through the end of August. Hawaii Administrative Rules prohibit the taking, killing, sale or offering for sale, or possession of any ula, also known as spiny lobster (Panulirus penicillatus, P. marginatus) and ula papapa or slipper lobster (Scyllarides squammosus, S. haanii) from state waters during the closed season. It is also illegal…

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Kona Chamber Urges Testimony on Pending Leave Bill

April 6, 2012
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The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce is urging its constituents to weigh in now on bills that may affect their businesses, as the Legislature gets closer to the end of its session.   One bill they feel will impact businesses and against which the Chamber and other Chambers of Commerce have testified is HB 341.   This bill is described on the state legislature’s web site as requiring  “certain employers to provide a minimum amount of paid sick and safe leave to employees to be used to care for themselves or a family member who is ill…

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Federal Judge Says No to Contractor Political Donations

April 3, 2012
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A federal judge has upheld Hawaii’s ban on direct  political donations by State and County contractors.  He said the state has an interest in preventing both actual corruption an the perception of corruption, i.e., that contractors must make political donations, in order to be awarded contracts. U. S. District Judge Michael Seabright made the ruling last week, after A-1 A-Lectrician challenged the ban as violating the First Amendment.  The State Legislature approved a ban on political donations by State and County contractors in 2005 after  campaign finance scandals. However, contractors may make donations to Political…

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Two Hawaii Island Men First at New Transplant Center

March 15, 2012
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Queen’s Medical Center began its new liver transplant program last week with liver transplants for two Hawaii Island men.  Thursday, they held a celebratory party for the men and for the transplant staff.  Jonathan Saragosa of Mountain View, 56, received a new liver to replace his, which was damaged by Hepititas C and by cancer.  Virgil Macy, 57, of Waikoloa also received a liver transplant.   Hawaii Medical Center, formerly the state’s transplant headquarters, closed in December.  The State Legislature worked with Queen’s and allocated $1.5 million for a new center.  They also allocated $300,000…

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South Kona Medical Van Blessing at Noon Saturday

March 10, 2012
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The community is invited to a noon Saturday blessing at Kona Community Hospital for a new mobile medical van that will serve South Kona. The 32½  foot van is the culmination of nearly 10 years of research, work, and cooperation by Representative Robert Herkes and legislature, Kona Community Hospital, and Hawai‘i Medical Service Association (HMSA).   The van will first provide medical care to school children in rural south Kona, with immunizations, school checkups, and more.   Emily Mendez-Bryant, Public Information Officer at Kona Community Hospital, says State Representative Bob Herkes heard of the need from constituents…

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