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| Ocean View resident Sammi Hokulani Fo, center, is Lei Day Queen at festivities tomorrow at East Hawai`i Cultural Center in Hilo. Photo by Julia Neal |
A 2012 ECONOMIC ACCELERATOR package to improve the economy has been released by Senate Ways and Means Committee chair David Y. Ige. The proposal includes:
* Advancing $400 million to create jobs and to provide needed investments in aging facilities.
* Refocus and enhance film and digital media credits to create more local jobs, expand the industry throughout the state, and enhance the state’s visitor marketing.
* Make strategic investments in our core tourism industry by providing an additional $2 million to develop and implement initiatives to take advantage of expanded visa programs and increased travel opportunities for international visitors, including China. Maximize the synergy between tourism and film by integrating the film office into Hawai`i Tourism Authority.
* Accelerate and enhance the partnership with the car rental industry by appropriating $500 million in revenue bonds to improve facilities.
* Make critical investments in social infrastructure by providing needed funds to the nonprofit community that provides safety-net services for our citizens.
* Advancing $400 million to create jobs and to provide needed investments in aging facilities.
* Refocus and enhance film and digital media credits to create more local jobs, expand the industry throughout the state, and enhance the state’s visitor marketing.
* Make strategic investments in our core tourism industry by providing an additional $2 million to develop and implement initiatives to take advantage of expanded visa programs and increased travel opportunities for international visitors, including China. Maximize the synergy between tourism and film by integrating the film office into Hawai`i Tourism Authority.
* Accelerate and enhance the partnership with the car rental industry by appropriating $500 million in revenue bonds to improve facilities.
* Make critical investments in social infrastructure by providing needed funds to the nonprofit community that provides safety-net services for our citizens.
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| Mufi Hannemann Photo by Julia Neal |
THE MUFI HANNEMANN CAMPAIGN for Congress is warning citizens about a telemarketing technique that poses as legitimate polling. Called Push Polling, it canvasses potential voters and feeds them false and damaging “information” about a candidate under the guise of taking a poll to see how this “information” effects voter preferences. “These telemarketing techniques damage the electoral process in two ways. They injure candidates, often without revealing the source of the information. Also, the results of a Push Poll, if released, “give a seriously flawed and biased picture of the political situation,” says a statement from the campaign. The Hannemann campaign says that pollsters can be screened by listening for the following:
• A pollster from a credible research firm will always identify the name of his or her firm at the beginning of the call;
• The questions are worded in a clear, neutral, and non-misleading way;
• The questions are typically about more than one candidate or mention both sides of an issue; and
• The interviewer will ask respondents for basic demographic information, such as age, educational background, and party identification.
“Push polling and other related tactics have no place in Hawai`i’s unique culture of aloha,” says a statement from the Hannemann campaign.
• The questions are worded in a clear, neutral, and non-misleading way;
• The questions are typically about more than one candidate or mention both sides of an issue; and
• The interviewer will ask respondents for basic demographic information, such as age, educational background, and party identification.
“Push polling and other related tactics have no place in Hawai`i’s unique culture of aloha,” says a statement from the Hannemann campaign.
See more at mufihannemann.com.
A HEALTH EQUITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT is the initiative of Senators Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka, who introduced it into the U.S. Senate last week. It drew support of nearly 200 organizations that work to overcome the health disparities that disproportionately affect minority groups.
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| Sen. Daniel Inouye Photo by Julia Neal |
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| Sen. Daniel Akaka Photo by Julia Neal |
“The Health Equity and Accountability Act makes improving health outcomes for minorities in this country a priority,” Akaka said. He said it will overcome cultural and language barriers and increase research on prevention and treatment of diseases that disproportionately affect minorities. “The diverse nature of our nation’s population requires that we adjust our healthcare system to accommodate for medical conditions, diseases, environmental realities, and mental health issues that frequently affect different minorities,” Inouye said. “When there are barriers to good health care it hurts us all, not only minorities,” Akaka said.
THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION DIVISION of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is holding community meetings in May to provide opportunities for public input on the development of the 2012-2017 State Historic Preservation Plan. “Historic sites are tangible evidence of a colorful, rich heritage and provide the community with a sense of continuity,” said Pua Aiu, SHPD administrator. “The programs and services offered by SHPD are designed to promote the use and maintenance of historic properties for the education, inspiration, pleasure and enrichment of Hawai`i’s citizens and visitors. Community input is essential to help set priorities for the State Historic Preservation Plan and will guide actions over the next five years.”
THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION DIVISION of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is holding community meetings in May to provide opportunities for public input on the development of the 2012-2017 State Historic Preservation Plan. “Historic sites are tangible evidence of a colorful, rich heritage and provide the community with a sense of continuity,” said Pua Aiu, SHPD administrator. “The programs and services offered by SHPD are designed to promote the use and maintenance of historic properties for the education, inspiration, pleasure and enrichment of Hawai`i’s citizens and visitors. Community input is essential to help set priorities for the State Historic Preservation Plan and will guide actions over the next five years.”
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| Ka`u High school, on the state Register of Historic Places, is one example of historic preservation in Ka`u. Photo by Julia Neal |
The meetings begin with a presentation on historic preservation issues in present-day Hawai`i. Participants can contribute to the discussion on a variety of topics including priorities for historic preservation in Hawai`i and individual communities, key participants, existing community resources and identifying what other resources are needed.
SHPD receives grant funding from the National Park Service.
Meetings are scheduled Tuesday, May 15, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Waiakea High School in Hilo and Thursday, May 17, 5 p.m. to p.m. at Kealakehe Intermediate School in Kona.
Community members may also share their thoughts by calling 1-877-535-5767, by emailing historicpreservation@smshawaii.com or mailing to SMS, 1042 Fort Street Mall, Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96813.
For more information, visit hawaiihistoricpreservation.com.
SHPD receives grant funding from the National Park Service.
Meetings are scheduled Tuesday, May 15, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Waiakea High School in Hilo and Thursday, May 17, 5 p.m. to p.m. at Kealakehe Intermediate School in Kona.
Community members may also share their thoughts by calling 1-877-535-5767, by emailing historicpreservation@smshawaii.com or mailing to SMS, 1042 Fort Street Mall, Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96813.
For more information, visit hawaiihistoricpreservation.com.
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| Sammi Hokulani Fo Image from leiday.net |
HER FLORAL MAJESTY, Sammi Hokulani Fo, of Ocean View, is Lei Day Queen at festivities taking place tomorrow at East Hawai`i Cultural Center in Hilo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A proclamation from Mayor Billy Kenoi names May 1 Lei Day and May “the Month of Lei in Hawai`i County.”
VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park celebrates May Day tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with live entertainment by Kani Le`a Ma Kilauea `Ukulele Band and a hands-on cultural demonstration of lei making. The event is free. Donations are welcomed, and park entrance fees apply. Call 967-7565 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.
FRANCES KAKUGAWA shares stories of her life growing up in Kapoho at After Dark in the Park tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Two-dollar donations support park programs. The program is free, and park entrance fees apply.
VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.
VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park celebrates May Day tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with live entertainment by Kani Le`a Ma Kilauea `Ukulele Band and a hands-on cultural demonstration of lei making. The event is free. Donations are welcomed, and park entrance fees apply. Call 967-7565 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.
FRANCES KAKUGAWA shares stories of her life growing up in Kapoho at After Dark in the Park tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Two-dollar donations support park programs. The program is free, and park entrance fees apply.
VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.