Daily Blog

Lt. Governor's Daily Blog

11/08/2009 - Families move into new "green" homes

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) has turned over the keys to the first home in the 172-unit Pi`ilani Mai Ke Kai affordable residential subdivision in Anahola, Kaua`i. The housing project provides jobs and affordable homes at a time when housing is out of reach for many residents. The homes are part of the first increment of 36 units that were awarded earlier of this year.

11/06/2009 - Promoting active living and healthy aging

In recognition of National Home Care Month in November, Lt. Governor Aiona on Saturday will discuss physical activity, nutrition and preventative care at the Senior Health Day Fair. The event is designed to promote health awareness, safety, education and offer resources and services that are available to the community.

11/06/2009 - Lt. Governor Aiona orders state flags to fly at half-staff

To honor the brave men and women who lost their lives in Fort Hood, Texas, acting Governor James R. "Duke" Aiona, Jr., on behalf of Governor Linda Lingle, has ordered the Hawai`i state flag at all state and county buildings throughout Hawai`i to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Tuesday, November 10, 2009. "We must always honor our service men and women, who risk their lives every day to protect the liberty and freedom we have as American citizens," said Lt. Governor Aiona. "This senseless act of violence saddens us all, and our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victims." The proclamation also encourages Hawai`i residents to display the state flag at half-staff at their homes and businesses in honor of all those who gave their lives in service to our great nation. The Lingle-Aiona Administration's action is in conjunction with President Barack Obama's order to lower the U.S. flag.

11/05/2009 - Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs

Lt. Governor Aiona on Friday will participate in the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs' (AHCC) 50th Annual Convention on Maui. Comprised of 55 organizations, AHCC unifies and provides a platform for native Hawaiians to address issues at city, state and federal levels. In addition, the organization preserves and perpetuates the rich Hawaiian culture through dance, music and Hawaiian language and history education.

11/04/2009 - Lt. Governor Aiona invites BOE, DOE and HSTA to reopen furlough discussion

"As the father of four children, I understand why parents are deeply concerned about the loss of instructional time for our keiki. However, convening a special session of the Legislature or raiding special funds would be premature, as the revenue picture is unclear for the remainder of the fiscal year. It would be more prudent and fiscally responsible to address funding concerns during the regular session in the broader context of the overall budget and what will be needed to close the growing revenue shortfall. Instead of a special session, everyone should be focused on the immediate and fiscally responsible solutions currently available to restore instructional time for our children. The Board of Education, Department of Education and Hawai`i State Teachers Association know they can take steps right now to reopen contract talks to take a pay cut or shift furloughs to non-instructional days. Alternatively, they can make it easier for parents and teachers to convert waiver and planning days to instructional time at the school level. I invite the BOE, DOE and HSTA leaders to sit down with me immediately to follow up on previous discussions held with Governor Lingle. My door is open."

11/03/2009 - Park improvements scheduled at Kalalau Beach in Kaua`i

The State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will continue with its efforts to improve public safety along portions of the Kalalau Beach area in the Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park in Kaua`i. The beach offers unique recreational opportunities and environmental resources, and is a global destination for hikers and campers from around the world. Specifically, rockfall mitigation is planned for the areas above the Ho`olea waterfall and the area above the beach cave. These areas are at the western end of the Kalalau beach area and were identified as hazards by DLNR technical consultants.

11/02/2009 - Good health, good business

The State Department of Health Healthy Hawai`i Initiative on Tuesday is hosting its 2nd Physical Activity and Nutrition Summit. The Lt. Governor will discuss the obesity epidemic and how worksite wellness programs can positively affect Hawai`i's quality of life. The event will provide examples of local businesses that are successfully implementing worksite wellness programs. Worksite wellness can create large-scale improvements in the health of workers and show a significant return on investment for Hawai`i businesses.

11/02/2009 - "Talk Story" with Lt. Governor Aiona

Lt. Governor Aiona today will discuss high-profile state issues, including teacher furloughs during instructional days, on his monthly radio call-in show on Honolulu's KHVH 830 AM, with host Mike Buck. The hour-long show starts at 5 p.m. To participate, listeners can call (808) 521-8383 from O`ahu.

10/31/2009 - Saint Damien Tribute

The Lt. Governor on Sunday will participate in a mass, procession and tribute celebrating the life of Saint Damien.

10/30/2009 - Public hearing on proposed `Ilio Point Natural Reserve

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold a public hearing on Nov. 9 to make more active public testimony on a proposed Natural Area Reserve at `Ilio Point on the northwestern tip of Moloka`i. `Ilio Point has long been known for its significant biological and geological features. The coastal vegetation is particularly rich, with 23 native plant species – some of which are extremely rare and found only on Moloka`i.

10/29/2009 - Visitors satisfied with Hawai`i

According to a report by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), Hawai`i received good marks from visitors last year even though the number of people vacationing here has declined. The DBEDT's Visitor Satisfaction and Activity Report stated roughly two-thirds of Mainland and Canadian visitors rated their trips here as "excellent" and with very little fluctuation year-over-year.

10/28/2009 - Process for schools to waive instructional furlough days

The Governor, Board of Education (BOE), Department of Education (DOE) and the Hawai`i State Teachers Association (HSTA) are looking at ways that some school instructional time can be restored while still allowing the DOE to proceed with furloughs to help close their budget gap. Right now, any parent or concerned individual can make a request to a School Community Council (SCC) to waive taking school furlough days on Fridays. These Councils are "advisory" groups made up of individuals elected by their peers who represent teachers, parents, students, school staff and community members who share in the school decision-making.

10/27/2009 - "Talk Story" with Lt. Governor Aiona

Lt. Governor Aiona on Wednesday will discuss high-profile state issues, including improving accountability in our public education system, on his monthly radio call-in show on Honolulu's KHVH 830 AM, with host Rick Hamada. The hour-long show starts at 7 a.m. To participate, listeners can call (808) 521-8383 from O`ahu or (888) 565-8383 from the Neighbor Islands.

10/26/2009 - Community forum for Hilo residents

Lt. Governor Aiona on Tuesday will discuss high profile issues affecting the Big Island on his monthly radio show with KPUA 670 AM host Ken Hupp in Hilo.

10/23/2009 - Public meetings set to improve state parks

The State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is inviting the public to attend statewide public hearings in the first two weeks of November on proposed rule changes for state parks, boating and ocean recreation facilities, and forestry and wildlife areas. The rule changes are aimed at improving repair and maintenance at state parks and facilities, along with improved customer service such as online camping permits.

10/22/2009 - Promoting healthy lifestyles and communities

Lt. Governor Aiona is joining forces with the State Department of Health's Healthy Hawai`i Initiative and the Kaua`i Nutrition and Physical Activity Coalition to improve the health and well-being of residents on Kaua`i and throughout the state.

10/21/2009 - School-based H1N1 vaccination clinics coming in November

The Hawai`i State Department of Health (DOH) has announced that participating schools have begun sending home parental consent forms for upcoming H1N1 vaccination clinics. The free, voluntary clinics are being offered K-8 grade students statewide and will begin in November.

10/20/2009 - Furlough plan announced

Following the ratification by Hawai`i Government Employees Association (HGEA) members of a new two-year contract, Governor Lingle today announced details of a plan that calls for two furlough days per month for the next 20 months for state employees that will start on Friday, Oct. 23.

10/19/2009 - Keeping our keiki safe

The State Department of Transportation (DOT) conducted a statewide training program to provide child passenger safety (CPS) technicians with the latest information on technologies and safety standards for installing child safety seats. Through the program, CPS technicians received hands-on training about installing the newest child safety seats and the dangers of improperly installing a seat, such as placing a seat in front of an air bag.

10/17/2009 - Community work day at Kokua Kalihi Valley

Community members today participated in Kokua Kalihi Valley's (KKV) Ho`oulu `Aina program, which included removing invasive bamboo, enjoying the trails in the forest reserve and exploring the plants in the cultural gardens. KKV leases the 100 acres of state park land for exercise, cultural practices and community gardening in the back of Kalihi Valley. The park consists of traditional agricultural areas, archeological sites, natural springs and the remains of a native Koa mesic forest.