December 26, 2010

Today is the last day to vote on the Christmas decorations at Kilauea Military Camp.

THE STATE LEGISLATURE goes back to work in early January and Gov. Neil Abercrombie has put forth his New Years resolutions early to help Hawai`i get through tough times. He said he hopes the legislature will help him to:

Reconfigure, retool and strengthen  fractured governmental services to better serve the people of Hawaii and to become a better partner with the private sector;

Create jobs with a significant capital improvement program that improves the infrastructure and economic landscape for sustained economic and social advancement;

Pursue every available federal funding and private partnership opportunity; and to

Invest in our long-term economic and social well-being, including clean energy, food security, technology, education and health.

The biggest challenge, Abercrombie said, is that from January to June 2011. the state is facing a $71.6 million shortfall because of rising costs that have not been addressed. 
“We have hit a point where it’s almost impossible for government offices to perform its most basic functions and for people to receive government services,” he pointed out. To address immediate needs, he said, he will request emergency appropriations in January for:

 Medicaid, which has expanded over the years. The recent ruling to restore services for citizens from Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands contributes to that ongoing expansion. Additionally, the state will stop receiving federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for Medicaid next year.

Santa Came to Ocean View Community Center this Christmas season with gifts.

 The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, a time-limited welfare program for families with the goal of achieving financial self-sufficiency. Over the last several years, the program has expanded to help more Hawai`i families and as a result, program costs have increased.

 Operating requirements of the Office of the Governor and Office of the Lieutenant Governor, which have essentially no funds to operate for the next six months without an emergency appropriation.

Abercrombie said he is confident that the citizens of Hawai`i can and will do better, stimulating the economy and creating the breathing space needed to reinvest in core priorities. “Our approach will be recognizing that as island people we work together and acknowledge the contribution each of us makes. We will not look to someone else to blame for the situation we confront. We are going to face the realities of our challenges,” he declared.

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to vote on the Kilauea Military Camp Christmas decoration competition and receive tokens to use at KMC facilities. The cottages were decorated by employees.

THE OCEAN VIEW FOOD BASKET will be open this coming Tuesday for the needy from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK will focus on the Keauhou Bird Sanctuary in Volcano this Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Volcano Visitor Center auditorium. The session will be on the future of endangered birds.