2009 April

Letter to President Obama

Lt. Governor Aiona today joined Gov. Linda Lingle, four county mayors and Hawai`i business leaders in signing a letter jointly sent to President Barack Obama, calling on him to oppose any measure that would unfairly restrict the ability for companies to use conventions, meetings and incentive rewards (CMI) as a legitimate business tool.

Federal tax hike on tobacco takes effect

The largest federal tobacco tax increase in history takes effect today as surveys show fewer smokers in Hawai`i taking up the habit. The increase raises the federal cigarette tax from 39 cents a pack to $1, and applies to all tobacco products. This brings the average cost of a pack of cigarettes in Hawai`i to $6.15, according to the state Department of Health.

Homeowner associations to meet

Lt. Governor Aiona is the featured speaker Saturday at a training seminar for board members of homeowner associations from across the state. In his speech, the Lt. Governor is expected to outline the Administration's plan for stimulating the local economy. An estimated 150 board members are expected to attend the seminar organized by Certified Management Inc.

Homeowners associations meet

Lt. Governor Aiona today is a featured speaker at a training seminar for board members of homeowner associations from across the state. In his speech, the Lt. Governor is expected to outline the Administration's plan for stimulating the local economy. An estimated 150 board members are expected to attend the seminar organized by Certified Management Inc.

'Talk story' with the Lt. Governor

In his monthly radio show today on Honolulu's KHVH 830 AM, Lt. Governor Aiona discusses with host Mike Buck such issues as how the Administration is attempting to work with the Hawai`i legislature to fix the state's finances. The hour-long show starts at 5 p.m.

Interview with CNBC

Lt. Governor Aiona on Wednesday gave a live interview at Ala Moana Beach Park to Erin Burnett, the host of CNBC's "Street Signs." The satellite television business news channel interviewed the Lt. Governor about the letter that Hawai`i government and tourism officials recently sent President Barack Obama, calling on him to oppose any measure that would unfairly restrict the ability for companies to use conventions, meetings and incentive rewards as a legitimate business tool.

Preparing for the next pandemic in Hawai`i

Lt. Governor Aiona will be helping engage Hawai`i residents in research that would decide who first to give life-saving care in a pandemic. The suggested list would be used as a blueprint for hospitals when a pandemic flu or another widespread health care disaster hits Hawai`i. The idea behind the project is to try to make sure that scarce resources such as vaccines are used in a uniform, objective way.

New radio show in Hilo

Lt. Governor Aiona today discusses state issues affecting Hilo on his new monthly radio show on KPUA AM 670. Among the hot topics for the 30-minute show is the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan, which was recently approved by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. The approval sets the stage for the Big Island to potentially become the home for a $1 billion telescope that would by far be the most powerful in the world.

Gearing up for the next pandemic

Lt. Governor Aiona today participates in a televised panel discussion on KHNL News 8 about steps that the Administration is taking to prepare for any likelihood of a pandemic in Hawai`i. The show is part of a series of community outreach around the topic by the state Department of Health.

Lt. Governor discusses the economy

Lt. Governor Aiona today discusses the current economic conditions with listeners of KAOI 1110 AM on Maui and KONG 570 AM on Kaua`i. In the live radio call-in show, the Lt. Governor offers an update on efforts to balance the state budget, as well as examples of concrete steps that the Administration is taking to improve the local economy.

Turning around young lives

Lt. Governor Aiona today travels to the Big Island to open a group home for boys. The new Ke Kama Pono Safe House Group Home is intended to be a haven for boys who have had run-ins with the law or their parents. The opening of home comes four years after the state introduced the first Ke Kama Pono home for girls at Honoka`a on the Big Island.

Bill review process

As the Hawai`i Legislature enters the home stretch, attention is turning to the state's bill review process. The Governor has until July 14 to sign, veto or allow bills to become law without her signature. As part of the process, the Lingle-Aiona Administration conducts a thorough review of all bills passed by the legislature.

New haven for boys comes to Maui

Lt. Governor Aiona today visits Maui to offer his support for a program aimed at turning young people's lives around through a greater focus on rehabilitation. The program, known as the Ke Kamo Pono Safe House Group Home, is part of a renewed statewide focus on juvenile justice reform. The program serves eight boys, ages 13 -17, who were sent to the facility by juvenile courts, child-welfare services or the office of youth services.

Improving financial literacy

Lt. Governor Aiona today is the featured speaker at a financial and health fitness fair organized by ING DIRECT Cafe in Waikiki, where the global banking institution has been capitalizing on a statewide push in April to encourage Hawai`i residents to learn more about using credit wisely and managing debt.

Underage drinking conference

Lt. Governor Aiona today addresses a conference on Maui organized by the Hawai`i Partnership to Prevent Underage Drinking. The conference at the Maui Prince Hotel coincides with "Alcohol Awareness Month" in Hawai`i, where surveys show that about 65 percent of high school students in state had consumed alcohol in 2008. Acohol consumption is illegal for anyone under age 21.

Curbing domestic violence

Lt. Governor Aiona today helps unveil a program that caters to victims of domestic violence by providing them with emergency shelter and transitional housing. The new Harry & Jeanette Weinberg House of Hope in Ewa Beach is equipped to house up to 56 victims and their children. It also comes at a time when three deaths this year, in as many months, have been attributed to domestic violence.

Walk to help babies

Lt. Governor Aiona today leads a walk through Kapi`olani Park, where 2,500 people are expected to help the March of Dimes Hawai`i Chapter raise money to research causes of premature births. Funds raised by the annual "March for Babies" support research intended to prevent infant mortality. In Hawai`i, about 1 in 8 babies is born prematurely.

"Talk story" with the Lt. Governor

In his weekly radio call-in show today on Honolulu's KHVH 830 AM, Lt. Governor Aiona discusses with host Mike Buck such state issues as the recent actions taken by the 2009 Hawai`i Legislature.

Swine flu alert

In a precautionary move, the Lingle-Aiona Administration has issued a statewide medical alert to doctors, asking them to watch for patients who may have contracted an illness that may probably be swine flu. While there has been no reported cases of the swine flu in Hawai`i, the state Department of Health is urging residents to exercise concern about transmission of the flu from one person to the next.

Easing fears on swine flu

UPDATE: State officials will hold a media briefing today at 2:30 p.m. to provide updated information regarding preparedness efforts to address swine flu. The briefing will be streamed live online at http://hawaii.gov/gov. Tonight, the Lt. Governor will appear in the last of three televised panel discussions on KHNL-TV 8 to engage the public in discussions of preparing for a pandemic.

Clean energy technology

In the latest example of the Lingle-Aiona Administration's efforts to create a new alternative-energy industry in Hawai`i, the state Department of Transportation today unveils a high-tech solar power system at Lihu`e Airport. The photovoltaic power system is one of seven of its kind to be introduced by state transportation officials, who are working closely with Hoku Solar, a subsidiary of Hoky Scientific, on this latest project.