2009 February

Teaching youth the financial playbook

Lt. Governor Aiona today mailed 170 letters with an enclosed DVD to every high school and public library in the state as part of a national effort to help ensure that students receive personal finance education before they graduate. Hawai`i brings to 21 the total number of states participating in the financial literacy campaign led by the National Football League and one of its major corporate sponsors, Visa Inc.

Lt. Governor testifies before House Committee

In testimony Monday before a House Committee, Lt. Governor Aiona opposed a bill that would require Hawai`i teens found guilty of possession of alcohol to pay a fine instead of lose their drivers' licenses. Lt. Governor Aiona told the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that a fine is not a stronger deterrent to underage drinking than suspending the driving privileges of teens caught with alcohol.

Financial football news conference

Lt. Govenor Aiona today participates in a news conference to launch a statewide financial literacy program that uses an interactive computer football game to teach high school students in Hawai`i about the dangers of debt and the importance of managing their money. The Lt. Governor will be joined by Wes Welker, the Pro Bowl wide receiver for the New England Patriots, and Patrick Willis, the Pro Bowl linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, at the 2 p.m. news conference set for Farrington High School in Honolulu.

NFL commissioner visits State Capitol

Lt. Governor Aiona today meets with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during a courtesy visit at the State Capitol. The meeting at the Office of the Lieutenant Governor comes as the league prepares to produce the Pro Bowl this weekend at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, where the game has an estimated economic impact of more than $28 million.

NFL commissioner and Lt. Governor meet

As the National Football League prepares to produce the Pro Bowl this weekend at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Lt. Governor Aiona is focused on the state playing a bigger role as a business partner of the league. The Lt. Governor talked with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell Thursday about not only the Pro Bowl returning to Hawai`i in 2011, but also the state hosting future pre-season games.

Curbing childhood obesity

Lt. Governor Aiona on Wednesday will host a roundtable discussion on the rate of childhood obesity in Hawai`i. He will be joined by representatives from the U.S. Office of the Surgeon General and the state Department of Health, where experts have known for years that hauling around extra pounds takes a huge toll on children's health, putting them at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and other health problems.

'Engineers Week' declared in Hawai`i

Engineers across the state are earning recognition as the Lingle-Aiona Administration continues to actively encourage students in Hawai`i to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math -- fields that are key to the state's economic vitality and competitiveness. On behalf of the Administration, Lt. Governor Aiona today proclaims Feb. 15-21 as "Engineers Week" in Hawai`i during a ceremony at the State Capitol.

Examining childhood obesity in Hawai`i

A recent study shows that more than a quarter of all incoming kindergarten students in Hawai`i are overweight, leaving the health and productivity of an entire generation at risk. Lt. Governor Aiona today explores its causes, its impact and possible remedies in a 90-minute roundtable discussion with representatives from the U.S. Surgeon General's Office and the state Department of Health.

Breaking new ground in helping vulnerable people

Lt. Governor Aiona today joins social work leaders as they take a necessary step toward bringing their private network of services together in one location in East Honolulu. Catholic Charities Hawai`i is breaking ground on the much-anticipated project after receiving a $5 million grant from the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation.

Japan-Hawai`i Ukulele Picnic

Lt. Governor Aiona today is a featured speaker at the Hawai`i debut of the Ukulele Picnic. Up to 1,000 people are expected at the Kaka`ako Waterfront Park for the popular Japanese cultural event that brings people together to play and listen to ukulele music in a casual picnic setting.

Banquet of Champions

Lt. Governor Aiona today helps honor top-performing athletes from high schools across the state. The Honolulu Quarterback Club for sports enthusiasts is the sponsor of the 62nd Annual Banquet of Champions, which is expected to draw more than 200 people to the New Empress Restaurant at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza for the two-hour event.

'Presidential Volunteer Service' award

Lt. Governor Aiona today presents a national award to three Hawai`i residents who are being recognized at the State Capitol for being difference-makers in their respective communities. They bring to 14 the total number of people and companies in Hawai`i to receive the Presidential Volunteer Service Award created by former President Bush.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

In his monthly radio call-in show today on Honolulu's KHVH 830 AM, Lt. Governor Aiona discussed with host Rick Hamada such state issues as the local impact of the federal economic bill signed into law yesterday by President Obama. The stimulus package includes more than $670 million for Hawai`i to help pay for infrastructure projects, health care, renewable energy development and conservation, with twin goals of short-term job production and longer-term economic viability.

Unemployment benefits get a boost

Starting Sunday, laid-off workers in Hawai`i will be eligible for increased unemployment benefits as a result of the federal economic bill signed into law earlier this week. The Lingle-Aiona Administration has announced that many unemployed workers will receive an additional $25 a week in benefits. The increase takes effect Feb. 22, according to the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Public meetings set for recreation plan

Residents across the state are getting a say in the Lingle-Aiona Administration's plan to revive recreational areas in Hawai`i. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has scheduled public meetings on its proposed "Recreational Renaissance" plan, which calls for investing $240 million over the next five years in a major overhaul of state parks, trails and ocean recreational areas. The central feature of the plan is 238 statewide projects, which require the passage of legislation that ultimately would authorize the funding needed to begin the upgrades.

Public comment sought on airport masterplan

The public is getting a voice on the masterplan that has been drawn up for the Kona International Airport at Keahole. The plan provides a blueprint for future construction of the airport, indentifying needs, required financing and timetable for their development. The plan was developed over the past two years with input from airline representatives, community groups as well as officials from county, state and federal agencies.

Kaka`ako landowners, businesses to meet

The affect of development in Kaka`ako on landowers and businesses is among the agenda items for a public meeting set for Wednesday at the University of Hawai`i's John A. Burns School of Medicine. The Hawai`i Community Development Authority is organizing the meeting to provide area landowners and businesses with an update on initiatives for the Central Kaka`ako district, which is bounded by Cooke, Pi`ikoi, Waimanu, Kona, Halekauwila and Queens streets.

Contractors, builders convention opens

Lt. Governor Aiona on Thursday will open a contractors and builders convention set for the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort & Spa in Waikiki, where estimated 900 representatives from leading organizations in the U.S. construction industry are expected to gather. The 2009 Associated Builders and Contractors Annual Convention comes at a time when the Lingle-Aiona Administration is moving aggressively to invest an estimated $1.8 billion in more than 1,500 major construction projects within the next 18 months.

Small businesses earn magazine's limelight

Lt. Governor Aiona today helps recognize 10 of the top small businesses in the state. These firms are earning recognition from Hawai`i Business Magazine for their successes at everything from door-to-delivery service to architecture and engineering. According to the latest available figures at the Hawai`i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, small businesses accounted for roughly 98 percent of all firms across the state in 2005. They also employed nearly 60 percent of the state's more than 289,000 employees.

Stamping out adult and teen smoking

Public health advocates report that the percentage of adults in Hawai`i who smoke fell from 17 percent in 2007 to 15.4 percent a year ago. Meaning, Hawai`i saw 14,000 fewer adult smokers in 2008. Nationally, the average rate among adult smokers is 20 percent, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Lt. Governor Aiona attributes the decline in smoking to such statewide initiatives as high cigarette taxes, a ban on smoking in certain areas and an investment in programs designed to stop young people from taking up the habit.