The Winners And Losers Of 2013

May 01, 2013

Herewith, “Mostly Politics’” first post-2012 winners and losers column – occasioned by last week’s news that Colleen Hanabusa has decided to run against Brian Schatz next year to fill the two years remaining of the late Daniel K. Inouye’s term in the United States Senate.

The biggest winners? The media folks who sell political advertising. None thought they could match the oodles spent last year on an open seat in the 2nd Congressional District, an open U.S. Senate seat, a fiercely contested mayoral race, and a rematch in the 1st District between Hanabusa and Republican Charles Djou. Add Pacific Resource Partnership and other political advertisers, and politics practically printed money for Hawaii’s various media outlets throughout 2012. Read More

New fee could save money for Oahu drivers

April 24, 2013

Gas prices in Hawaii keep on climbing. And with every fill up, you’re helping to fix our roads with a county gas tax. But what if that tax went away and your car registration went up instead?

The idea of a highway user fee is gaining steam. It would save some drivers cash while costing others extra.

It’s no secret that Oahu’s roads are in poor shape. To fix them, the city needs more cash. Read More

School land-use bill hits roadblock

April 24, 2013

A councilman seeks clarity in the plan, which he says is too similar to the PLDC
A Honolulu city councilman and others have raised late objections to a bill that would authorize the private development of public school land, undermining its chances as state House and Senate negotiators approach a deadline on Friday. Read More

Council unanimously passes sidewalk nuisance bill

April 17, 2013

HONOLULU —Councilman Ikaika Anderson held up pictures of De-Occupy Honolulu campers at Thomas Square before the Honolulu City Council passed Bill 7 by a vote of 9-0 Wednesday.
After nearly 18 months at Thomas Square, Anderson said residents are getting fed up with tents and other items that protestors place on city sidewalks surrounding the historic park.

“Enough is enough,” said Anderson as the Council discussed the bill. “Let’s pass Bill 7, (and) return our public sidewalks to all of Honolulu’s citizens.” Read More

Mayor: 77 miles of road repaved in 3 months; 14 projects out to bid

April 16, 2013

HONOLULU —Mayor Kirk Caldwell said he's already knocked 77 miles off his road repaving "to-do" list since he took the mayoral post three months ago.

And he just put 14 more major road projects, worth $106 million, out to bid.

“(The public) is demanding, screaming, and crying out for a game-changing road repaving effort and I think we're doing exactly that,” he said at a news conference on Monday.

“Holding a press conference to alert the council as to what the mayors plan's are, is not what I would call 'working together,’" said councilmember Ikaika Anderson, who was surprised by Monday’s news.

He said he's skeptical the mayor will get the money he needs to reach his goal, unless he's willing to cut vacant positions, or add a vehicle fee to make up the difference.Read more

Council Vice Chair Ikaika Anderson Files For Re-Election To City Council, District 3

June 01, 2012