Opinion

Target has opened two stores on Oahu already and is set to open their 3rd store on the most populated Hawaiian Island. This store is set to take over the spot in Kailua Town that is currently occupied by the Don Quijote right next to the Safeway.

This Target store has come under much scrutiny by some Kailua residents as petitions were passed around, town hall meetings were held, and disgruntled facebook postings littered the walls of a few. But, it pretty much was a sealed deal once they got it in their minds, so all the voicing was for naught.

From a news story on It looks like the store will be opening in July of 2012 (as reported by several local news sources quoting Kaneohe Ranch and Target officials), just after the Whole Foods gets going in Kailua, which is set for Fall of 2011.  The controversy was mainly geared towards the potential traffic problem and the potential closing of local Kailua businesses. While the traffic issue I can see, especially early on, the business closing I can’t totally follow (and no, Don Quijote doesn’t count because that’s a big box store from Japan, like for like).

Maybe hungry ear music, but who knows how they stay open anyway.  I mean, more traffic should mean more customers for non-competing business.   And once Don Quijote is out I can’t find too many comparable business in Kailua (unless they start selling good surfboards to surf clothing, hint it’s national, so not too much of that will happen).

Whole Foods on the other hand, which I didn’t hear any grumbling about, has the potential to force out one of the three supermarkets in town, Safeway, Foodland, or Times, with Times a more likely candidate, although Foodland is right behind it.

But that’s just one opinion, most likely the craze will die down, people won’t travel over the Pali to go to Target, and traffic will resume to normal. I mean, at least in ain’t a Costco.

If you’d like to voice you’re opinion leave us a comment and let us know what you think, or head over to the neighborhood board meeting which will start at 7:00 PM at Kailua District Park.

Ed Case surprised supporters & foes alike by announcing his withdrawal from the race in November for the First Congressional Seat currently held by Charles Djou who won the coveted Congressional spot in a Special Election with results announced May 22 2010.

Ed Case once a front runner finished third to a resurgent Colleen Hanabusa and in dropping out Case said “Today I withdraw my candidacy in favor of Colleen.”  Thus ending a potential divisive Primary Battle September 18^th 2010 and effectively moving up the timeline for the battle for the general election.

Ed Case spoke at the State Democratic Convention on Sunday May 30^th 2010 and via the by now mandatory ‘You Tube’ video.  However, in spite of Case’s pledge to support Coleen Hanabusa, many of his former supporters are not so benign and those disgruntled Democrats and Independents will be more than welcome by Charles Djou and his supporters.  An ecstatic Governor Linda Lingle has already weighed in on the issue,  saying “I think a majority of Ed Case’s supporters tend to be independent people who didn’t like the machine politics in the first place, so I think they’ll be available for Charles to go out and explain to them why he feels they’re worthy of his vote.”

Hawai’i’s senior Senator Daniel Inouye denied any pressure on his part to get Case to depart, though obviously relieved that Hanabusa will be spared a bruising primary fight, expressing instead his surprise, “We never discussed this at all, in fact it was a great surprise at the convention,” further noting “I think he made a lot of points with a lot of people,.”

Senator Daniel Akaka who had to tussle with Case to keep his Senate seat in 2008 was quite gracious saying,   ”I appreciate his willingness to join the Democratic Party in unity. What he did will certainly help us in that election.”

Coleen Hanabusa relieved to be able to focus her attention on November, said she “looks forward to working even harder to earn back the seat,” expressing plans to reach out to Ed Case and his supporters for the strength and unity of the Democratic Party.

Ed Case has made no other announcement regarding his political future, with an already crowded Governor’s race and an equally contentious battle for Honolulu Mayor, it is likely he will take time to regain his political mojo perhaps eying Senator Akaka’s Senate Seat in 2012, more than gently advising Akaka that he deserves retirement as a reward for his years of service.

There will be no retirement for campaign volunteers in the First Congressional District, now that the election is clearly between Congressman Charles Djou and Democratic Challenger Colleen Hanabusa, plus whatever Independents throw their names into the Primary fight (Jim Brewer perhaps),  the battle is on and more than ever every eligible voter is needed to cast their ballot.

On Tuesday May 25 2010 Hawai’i’s newest Congressman Charles Djou raised his right hand and swore to defend the US Constitution “against all enemies foreign and domestic.”

Djou’s seven year daughter Victoria stood by her father’s side while he was sworn in, while his wife Stacy and daughter Alli looked on from the audience.  And for those that might forget the spirit of Aloha, it was much in evidence with Congresswoman Maize Hirono warmly welcoming her newest colleague while waiving away any possible obstruction to the swearing in ceremony, noting “”certificate of election has not arrived but there is no contest and no question has been raised in regard to his election.”

Senator Daniel Inouye was equally gracious, issuing this statement, “”I look forward to working with Congressman Djou over the next few months to further Hawaii’s interests.”

Having taken the oath of office Charles Djou greeted his new colleagues with a drawn out, “Aloha,” before speaking with his customary grace. “”Today,” he said, “I am extraordinarily humbled to have the incredible honor of entering the United States House of Representatives, and I understand with this incredible honor comes incredible responsibility.”

After a photo opportunity with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in her office, Djou returned to the House and got down to work.  He started by adding his name and his vote to five resolutions, ranging from recognizing the 150th anniversary of the birth of food manufacturer Will Keith Kellogg to commending musher Lance Mackey on his record-breaking fourth consecutive Iditarod victory during the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Now comes the hard part for the Republican Party a case of, ‘Careful what you wish for.’  Though the Republicans were eager to embarrass President Obama by grabbing a Congressional Seat in Hawai’i the very issue of how to refer to Hawai’i has already tripped them up.  Republican Chairman Michael Steel has already stuck foot in mouth by stating clearly that Hawai’i is President Obama’s birthplace, thus far other leading Republicans and Republican media outlets have fumbled for words mostly using the odd phrase. Obama’s Home State, since Obama has been living in Illinois for several decades Illinois is Obama’s Home State, though Hawai’i is more than willing to allow President Obama to call Hawai’i his home.

What truly perplexes Republicans is what has baffled both parties since Hawai’i joined the Union as its fiftieth state.  Hawai’i’s curious blend of nationalities, unique political stew and the Spirit of Aloha.  The Republican Party has as its standard bearers such luminaries as Congressional candidate Rand Paul who apparently questions the validity of the Civil Rights Act of 1965, Nevada Senate Candidate Sue Lowden who denounced health care reform as not needed in favor of bartering for medical services with either chickens or house painting, Minnesota Congresswomen Michele Bachman who has called for loyalty oaths, and half term Alaska Governor Sarah Palin who apparently never met a caribou or a polar bear that she did not want to shoot.

Now the Republicans have to deal with Charles Djou a moderate much like Scott Brown of Massachusetts, a man who is normal to the point of blandness, charismatic, likable, a family man with an honorable record of service in the Army Reserve, Djou has said that he would like to see ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ repealed, and has taken a moderate stance on other issues.  Admittedly this writer has chided Djou for being a “No” vote for all that Obama stands for, but I confess that was a cheap shot.  The upshot is that Djou does speak for himself and has loudly said that he will continue to do so.

Quite honestly The Republicans need Charles Djou more than Charles Djou needs the Republican Party, especially if the Republicans hope to regain moderates & independents across America.  Hawai’i once again has shown that despite its size it is a powerful place. Charles Djou with his unique name, his heritage, his moderate views, his place on the strong united Hawai’i State legislative team, Djou is very much one of the Republican parties hopes for the future.  Now it is way beyond bragging rights for snagging a congressional seat in ‘Obama’s home state,’ it is the future of the Republican Party that is in the balance.  The Republicans have already fumbled the issue of Scott Brown’s independence, allowing party mouthpieces to attack him, to ridicule him, they cannot afford to do that with Charles Djou.  If there were ever a time to put a muzzle on Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck the time is now.

As for the November battle for Congressional District One, do not let the combined totals for Colleen Hanabusa and Ed Case cloud the issue.  Charles Djou is a scrapper, smart and tough, he has an obvious appeal for independents and those Democrats disgruntled with their own party as well as the party machinery.  Djou may have only a few months in Congress but every action will be added to his resume come November and if the Republicans truly wish to retake the American center then they need Djou to win and it will be for something much more substantial than political bragging rights.

Those who love sitting in their vehicles jammed bumper to bumper for hours have long relished the on going nightmare that is Moanalua Road back of Pearlridge Shopping Center.

Hemmed in by high rises housing, thousands of residents, even on a slow day traffic crawls along roads that are clearly inadequate for the number of vehicles that are by the very nature of the beast restricted to two traffic corridors Ewa to Diamond Head through Aiea-Pearlridge.  Kamehameha Highway and Moanaloa Road and attendant arteries clogged worse than a seventy year old junk food junkie: Kaonohi Street, and Pali Momi Street.

On May 10^th 2010 Los Angeles based developer Robertson Properties revealed their plans for the site of the former Kam Drive-In Theater.  Pleading that the over developed area is underdeveloped they unveiled plans for a retail development plus three thirty story high rise towers guaranteed to bring in thousands upon thousands of new residents plus their vehicles.

Naturally they indicated their hope that some of those residents might use Mufi’s Train when it comes rolling in, and they even showed off pictures of a bloated bus stop planned for Kaonohi Street and Kam Highway.  Suffice to say local area residents were not happy with the announcement, captured by kitv.

Trumpeting the run down condition of the long vacant space which was once a vital part of the community in the days when Drive In Theaters were King, John Manavian, Vice President of Real Estate Development for the Robertson Properties Group trotted out this choice tidbit, “A shopping center that includes a market as an anchor, with small shops and cafes that serve the immediate community,” as if the area was not home to Pearlridge Center and the Aiea Shopping Center each home to shops and cafes.

This writer rarely endorses the Condemnation Process, but if ever there was a need for a big public park with nice wide sidewalks spiraling around mounds of lawn & clumps of trees, a place for the current Kam Swap Meet Folks to meet, a place for a Farmers Market, an amphitheatre for concerts, and my fave, a place for skateboarders to show off their aerials, in short this writer calls upon City & County Officials to shut this project down before it gains any momentum.  Aiea – Pearlridge needs a park, the roads are already parking lots and local residents do not need five thousand or more new neighbors.

Anyone who has lived in Honolulu for more than a decade has followed the twisted tangled saga of the two daily newspapers.  Much like a soap opera set in a hospital both patients have hovered near death for decades, have had several near death experiences, miraculously rallying only to slip once again.

Now they are too be merged, one devoured by the other and a name proposed for the result.  The proposed name The Star-Advertiser leaves me cold & more than slightly annoyed.  Though it could be argued there will be some continuity to the past of what were once two storied papers each entwined with the history of Hawai’i.

My Take is that both daily papers are dead and their names ought to be honorably retired.  Start fresh, a new name, celebrate the birth of a new era in local journalism, hopefully one that will startle local residents with a renewed vigor and dogged determination to uncover the elusive truth behind the important issues affecting these islands.

Start fresh and celebrate these islands with local news stories not merely cut & paste re-reads from the mainland, long an annoying practice of both papers, stories about the events important in ordinary lives, items long neglected such as weddings, anniversaries, smaller school events, the many neighborhoods their traditions and milestones.  Here is My Take: simple and sweet, The Honolulu News, or as an alternative, The Honolulu Daily News.

On March 29^th, 2010 the Feds picked two states – Delaware and Tennessee, and gave them a total combined $600 million in education grants. The shocker is not that these states got the money; it is that both of these states are rated higher in education than Hawaii is.

This continues an already severe downward spiral that the passing of furlough days in Hawaii has created. At first parents had to figure out creative ways to keep their children busy at home. Parents have lost jobs, taken pay-cuts and even had to spend more money to find suitable help with their children on furlough days.

Federal officials are hoping to send a huge message with this. Hawaii needs to either revamp and/or redo their education laws. Not only that, they need to get the union and teachers to sign off.

The sole reason Hawaii has lost out on any education grant is due to furlough days. The government has told the state that they will get money when they do things the right way. I am pretty sure furlough days was not the way to do things right.

The problem remains though… What could the Hawaii DOE do with a few hundred million? The answer should be – A LOT! This however is probably not true. We have witnessed for years funds being misappropriated by the Hawaii DOE. After a federal audit was done a few years back, it was found that the DOE had close to 44 million just lying around doing nothing. How is this even possible?

Change has to start at the top. The problem is – among other problems, is that “the top” in Hawaii is the Teacher’s Union. The Teacher’s Union in Hawaii has way too much power. Many of us want to blame Gov. Lingle – and she has made mistakes, but realize this… Anything the Gov. has put through – including furloughs, had to be signed off by the Teacher’s Union.

Furloughs continue to hamper our educational system. No end seems to be in sight. It is imperative that we get our teachers – and the union on the same page with parents.

I’ll try to just report the news on this one and not let my opinion sway into it… well… too much.  But over the past two days Governor Lingle’s Furlough Friday plan has gone through the ringer. From the bloggers to the tweeters, from the newspapers to the radio jockeys, from the BOE to the DOE to the HSTA, all had something to say, and still, the kids are the pawn in all this.

The proposal you ask, use some Hurricane Relief funds to pay for the 17 furlough days next year and have the teachers “voluntarily” go back to teach for the 3 remaining furlough days. Total cost would be $67 million from the relief fund, which, from reports surfacing on our twitter feed may not be paid back.

So what does the BOE have to say about this proposal?

“To assume you can operate on a voluntary basis is ridiculous,” said BOE Chairman Garrett Toguchi. “It’s troublesome to hear that statement from the governor. I would presume she understands school operations more than that. To make a statement where you’re encouraging people to come back voluntarily is haphazard and reckless.” – from the Honolulu Advertiser

While the president of HSTA had this…

Teachers cannot legally return to work on a voluntary basis because it would violate an agreement between the union and the BOE, according to Wil Okabe, president of the Hawaii State Teachers Association.

Great, so one side says reinstate all pay moving forward while the other says thats not possible, no way, no how. Then the other side says how bout 85% of your pay gets back, then the one side responds that it’s illegal and the other side doesn’t know what their talking about.

Great compromising.

So now on to my opinion… Which by the way, I think both sides are rediculous right now.

IT’S NOT VOLUNTARILY, IT’S A PAY CUT

I know that the HSTA or the BOE or the Union reps or whoever is in charge on the particular day said that they wouldn’t call it a pay cut, they’d call it furlough. But come one, get over yourselves, it’s a pay cut, to help the city survive through these tough times.

But you don’t think the teachers deserve it? you may ask. Hell yeah I think they deserve their full pay. (well most, those will remain nameless who I think should not be teachers and take advantage of the perks.) But personally I think in a time of stressed budgets, aka the junk economy of the last two years, things need to change.

I just think there are downsizing, cuts, merging (how about the DOE and BOE become one, what a silly system that is) and other cost savings measures that could be done. And yes, pay cuts while you still work hard.

For goodness sake, I know you’re trying to teach your kids to stand-up for what they believe in. But whatever happened to believing in hard work paying off.

Thanks for listening to the ramblings, feel free to leave a comment, I’m sure I’ve upset someone.   And for those that point out grammar mistakes in a piece railing public education talks, deal with it, I’m a product of public schools.

All I’m saying is compromise, quit playing games with a childs future, and set a good example, this is just sad.

In a real shocker, 84 percent of the teachers across the state of Hawaii voted at 27 different schools to approve the Unions measure to end furlough Fridays. A measure that would put back to work all teachers and staff on all furlough days and would cost the state $92 million. Thus, paying the teachers exactly what they used to make.

And yes that was sarcasm. The Hawaii State Teachers Association members, the teachers and staff that had their pay cut would obviously vote to approve getting their pay back. However, Governor Linda Lingle has already said that the HSTA has aimed too high with such a costly proposal that the state just couldn’t afford. Lingle said she wouldn’t release the money even if the proposal was approved by lawmakers.

Lingle has proposed a solution that would cost only $60 million and bring back only essential workers to the furloughed days. This would include tapping into the rainy day fund and the hurricane relief fund.

And, once again, no progress has been made and our children are out of school. Hopefully someone in power can wise up and just realize that the children of Hawaii just need to go back to school. Maybe the teachers could go back to teaching while these negotiations are going on? Sure there’d be some electricity use, but our students would be in school.

Or maybe thats just silly talk.

On a recent drive into work while listening to HPR, a short commentary piece caught my attention.  Ian Lind was reading an opinion he shares with many on the rail project that Mufi Hannemann and many of his supporters are trying to cram onto the people of Oahu. (Yes I realize the vote was 51% in favor of rail, but it was a rail/no rail vote, not a what type of rail vote.) What I was listening to was an opinion that I share and wanted to let all of our readers read as well.

So, I contacted Ian and have included below a direct transcript from that HPR piece plus the link to HPR’s website for the audio file here. Feel free to comment below on what your thoughts are.

I think Honolulu will benefit from rail transit.

But I’ve been puzzled why our city has so stubbornly refused to consider the alternative of light rail, a more flexible steel-wheel-on-steel-rail technology used in all but one of the 40 or so U.S. cities that have built new rail systems over the past two decades.

Light rail is cheaper and quicker to build, more community and business friendly, and easier to integrate into urban neighborhoods. These trains can run on elevated tracks where it makes sense, but can also drop down to street level where appropriate.

But the city never took a serious look at modern light rail. Instead, it dusted off its old plans based on 1980s technology choices and immediately put those on a fast track using all available political muscle.

It now seems the fix was in from the beginning.

The city spent millions, ostensibly to weigh public opinion, all the while keeping a hidden thumb on the scale to pre-determine the outcome. Public participation was reduced to commenting on the color schemes or roof designs for the pre-designed stations, while discussions the costs and benefits of competing rail technologies were put on a dead-end track . Professionals trying to offer suggestions were first told they should wait, then told they were too late. Technology decisions were made behind the scenes, then buried in complex specifications that quietly ruled out alternatives while politicians bragged about the open process.

Perhaps I’m naive in believing that we should be building the best, most efficient, and most appropriate transit system for Honolulu’s needs.

Powerful business, labor, and political interests have made it clear that, for them, this really isn’t about transportation or planning better communities. Instead, they say, it’s all about money. Jobs. Power. And, of course, politics.

What looks to me like a steep cost of over $5 billion taxpayer dollars is, on the other side of the ledger, more than $5 billion in future income, wages, and profits.

Their message is clear and simple. Stop dithering about available alternatives. Aesthetics? Not important. Better design? The latest technology? Don’t worry, this one’s good enough. Get real. Get over it.

With $5 billion at stake, getting between these special interests and that pot of gold is, politically speaking, a most dangerous spot.

I’ll ride the train when it’s finally built. But I’ll remember that it should have been done differently, and could have been much better.

Government workers, teachers of Hawaii’s youth, and yes, Hawaii’s youth, had yet another day off here in paradise, and still, there’s no positive outlook in sight.  While the rest of America is trying to prepare their youth to compete in a worldwide market that, as we saw, can turn downward on a dime, Hawaii is struggling to figure it out.

Our students need education, they need the structure of classrooms in the absence of other alternatives, they need a chance at their futures.  OK, maybe 27 extra days off isn’t going to break them, but when you compare to what their peers are receiving, who are competing for those same college slots, who’s going to look better?

The furlough days here in Hawaii are not a good thing for anyone, especially our students.  There has to be another way.  And no, I’m not going to offer a solution, it’s not my job, it’s our governments job.  Isn’t it?  Isn’t that what we elected them for?  To have our interests at heart?  I don’t a single person on the island that thinks furloughs are a better way.  Even the schoolboard who, let’s face it, used it as a bargaining chip, shame on you.

OK, enough me getting into politics.  But even the schoolboard realizes there needs to be schooling and no furloughs.  Let’s make this happen people.  Follow through on the negotiations.