Just came across this article on http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/. The State must really be desperate for cash. I wonder if the State will allow vacation rentals on these prime ag lands. I'm sure that some of our County Councilmembers would have no problem with that. Fortunately, our State is aware of the State law, and will only be allowing legitimate farming on these lands. Thank goodness for that.
Advertiser Staff
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is accepting lease negotiation applications for five parcels of state agricultural land on Oahu and on Kauai.
The Oahu lots are in Waimanalo and are 5.1 acres, 3.7 acres and 1.4 acres in size. The Kauai lots are in Hanapepe and are 6.7 acres and 4.2 acres in size.
Applications should be submitted to the Agricultural Resource Management Division. The application deadline is Jan. 14 at 3 p.m.
The 35-year leases are for diversified agriculture only. Each parcel has an upset minimum annual rental and the lease will be issued by a negotiation process. In addition to the annual rental, each parcel has an additional rent of 1.5 percent of gross proceeds from the agricultural operation.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
STALL TACTICS TO HUSH THE CROWD; CHILDREN LOSE AGAIN
After all, it was just stall tactics to hush the crowd. There was never a sincere desire to get the kids back in school. Between the Governor and the HSTA, the children were never a priority. It was always about taking, not giving. Our poor children have lost again. This is simply disgusting. Shame on all of you that allowed this to happen. God help our children.
Lingle rejects plan to reduce Furlough Fridays
By Star-Bulletin staff and news services
Gov. Linda Lingle has rejected an agreement between the teachers union and education officials to end some furlough days and get students back in the classroom.
Hawaii State Teachers Association President Wil Okabe announced earlier today that the agreement, reached last week, had been approved by the union.
The agreement reduces the remaining 10 furlough days in the current school year to three, all of which would be taken at the end of the school year.
Okabe says $35 million from the state's rainy-day fund will be used to restore five furlough days, and teachers will give up two planning days.
Late today, the governor said the agreement is not a "viable solution" to restore 27 furlough days the rest of this school year and next.
"Today's proposal being floated in the media would use more than two-thirds of the $50 million offered by the governor and would only restore five days of instruction, the governor said in a statement.
"This arrangement is not a credible plan, it is not fiscally responsible and it is not sustainable," Lingle said.
Lingle rejects plan to reduce Furlough Fridays
By Star-Bulletin staff and news services
Gov. Linda Lingle has rejected an agreement between the teachers union and education officials to end some furlough days and get students back in the classroom.
Hawaii State Teachers Association President Wil Okabe announced earlier today that the agreement, reached last week, had been approved by the union.
The agreement reduces the remaining 10 furlough days in the current school year to three, all of which would be taken at the end of the school year.
Okabe says $35 million from the state's rainy-day fund will be used to restore five furlough days, and teachers will give up two planning days.
Late today, the governor said the agreement is not a "viable solution" to restore 27 furlough days the rest of this school year and next.
"Today's proposal being floated in the media would use more than two-thirds of the $50 million offered by the governor and would only restore five days of instruction, the governor said in a statement.
"This arrangement is not a credible plan, it is not fiscally responsible and it is not sustainable," Lingle said.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Mel Rapozo to Run for Kauai County Council in 2010
Lihue, HI, December 26, 2009:
Mel Rapozo will try to return to the Kauai County Council, a seat that he held from 2002 – 2008, in 2010. Rapozo served on various Council committees for three consecutive terms, was the Council Vice-Chair during his last term, and served as the President of the Hawaii State Association of Counties. He is known for his advocacy for the island’s senior citizens, military veterans, natural resources, small business, affordable housing, and most importantly, his demand for accountability of County leaders.
“I am excited to begin the campaign for a return to the Kauai County Council. In the past year, I have had the opportunity to be on the “outside looking in” and it has been very enlightening. I realize that there are many pressing issues that face this County, and the current state of the economy will present many more challenges going forward. I feel that my past experiences as a Councilmember will be a valuable asset to the County. I want to return to serve the people of Kauai once again.”
Rapozo has been active in the community during the last year, participating in discussions related to the preservation of agricultural lands, shoreline protection, and the recent landfill site selection process.
Rapozo is currently organizing his campaign committees and will officially file his nomination papers on February 1, 2010.
Mel Rapozo will try to return to the Kauai County Council, a seat that he held from 2002 – 2008, in 2010. Rapozo served on various Council committees for three consecutive terms, was the Council Vice-Chair during his last term, and served as the President of the Hawaii State Association of Counties. He is known for his advocacy for the island’s senior citizens, military veterans, natural resources, small business, affordable housing, and most importantly, his demand for accountability of County leaders.
“I am excited to begin the campaign for a return to the Kauai County Council. In the past year, I have had the opportunity to be on the “outside looking in” and it has been very enlightening. I realize that there are many pressing issues that face this County, and the current state of the economy will present many more challenges going forward. I feel that my past experiences as a Councilmember will be a valuable asset to the County. I want to return to serve the people of Kauai once again.”
Rapozo has been active in the community during the last year, participating in discussions related to the preservation of agricultural lands, shoreline protection, and the recent landfill site selection process.
Rapozo is currently organizing his campaign committees and will officially file his nomination papers on February 1, 2010.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The Focus Should be on Core Functions, Not Frills
In December 2002, a special commission developed core functions to deliver the three goals outlined in Hawaii’s State Plan. The core functions developed by the commission to achieve the goals are as follows:
– Protect and improve public health and welfare.
– Protect and improve public safety.
– Provide public education.
– Promote a stable and strong economy.
– Protect and conserve Hawaii’s natural and cultural resources.
– Support and perpetuate Hawaiian values, culture, lands and trusts.
– Provide critical administration necessary for the operation of the above government functions.
We must fund the CORE functions of government and reduce our spending on all the non-core aspects of the budget. All the "luxuries" must he halted until we get our core functions, like education and public safety, back in shape. Sister cities trips, festivals, parades, etc. must be scrutinized during the next few years. This is the harsh reality.
The principles of core function analysis are very simple - to be effective and efficient an organization should focus its energy on its most important or core functions.
– Protect and improve public health and welfare.
– Protect and improve public safety.
– Provide public education.
– Promote a stable and strong economy.
– Protect and conserve Hawaii’s natural and cultural resources.
– Support and perpetuate Hawaiian values, culture, lands and trusts.
– Provide critical administration necessary for the operation of the above government functions.
We must fund the CORE functions of government and reduce our spending on all the non-core aspects of the budget. All the "luxuries" must he halted until we get our core functions, like education and public safety, back in shape. Sister cities trips, festivals, parades, etc. must be scrutinized during the next few years. This is the harsh reality.
The principles of core function analysis are very simple - to be effective and efficient an organization should focus its energy on its most important or core functions.
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