2009 March

'Talk Story' with Lt. Governor Aiona

In his weekly radio call-in show today on Honolulu's KHVH 830 AM, Lt. Governor Aiona discusses state issues with host Mike Buck. Among the issues that will likely be discussed during the hour-long show, which starts at 5 p.m., is the Lingle-Aiona Administration's plans for Hawai`i's share of the federal economic stimulus money, given to states to help cure financial challenges stemming from current economic conditions.

Lt. Governor to press for Pro Bowl

Lt. Governor Aiona is expected to testify in support of bringing the NFL Pro Bowl back to the state when the Hawai`i Tourism Authority board meets Friday. The board is meeting to rethink an earlier decision to reject the NFL's offer for the popular all-star game to return to Hawai`i in 2011 and 2012. Realizing the economic impact and public relations bonanza from marketing the state through the nationally televised game, Lt. Governor Aiona will urge the board to reconsider the NFL's proposal.

Balancing the state budget

The Lingle-Aiona Administration has submitted a plan to the Hawai`i Legislature that closes an additional $650 million hole in the state budget and allows the state to get through the rest of fiscal year 2009 without hacking apart vital services, raising taxes or laying off workers. Under the plan unveiled during a news conference Wednesday at the State Capitol, Hawai`i would also meet its obligation to balance its budgets in the next two fiscal years.

Economy to dominate board meeting

The current economic conditions are expected to dominate discussions today when Lt. Governor Aiona meets with the Hawai`i Island Chamber of Commerce board of directors in downtown Hilo. Lt. Governor Aiona is scheduled to address the board before fielding questions from members.

'Talk Story' with Lt. Governor Aiona

In his weekly radio call-in show today on Honolulu's KHVH 830 AM, Lt. Governor Aiona will discuss state issues with host Mike Buck. Among the issues that will likely be discussed during the hour-long show, which starts at 5 p.m., is the Administration's plan to close an additional $650 million hole in the state budget and allow the state to get through the rest of fiscal year 2009 without cutting vital services, raising taxes or laying off workers.

Stryker brigade homecoming

Lt. Governor Aiona on Thursday will welcome back soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team based at Schofield Barracks. The unit's 4,200 soldiers are returning home from a 15-month deployment to Iraq. It was the unit's second deployment to northern Iraq since 2004. For the latest mission, the unit was assigned to occupy a 1,300-square-mile area northwest of Baghdad.

Stryker brigade welcomed home

Lt. Governor Aiona today participates in a welcome-home ceremony for the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team based at Schofield Barracks. The unit's 4,200 soldiers are returning from a 15-month deployment to Iraq, where they were assigned to occupy a 1,300-square-mile area northeast of Baghdad.

Pumping federal money into job training

Within a week, the Lingle-Aiona Administration is hoping to get $7.7 million from the federal stimulus package to pay for, among other things, job training programs aimed at helping laid-off workers across the state sharpen employment skills that could increase their marketability. The Administration has applied for the funds that are available to states under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which is designed to pump money into health care, transportation and education, among other things. The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations expects to receive the $7.7 million by March 19, 2009. "We want to be responsive to the needs of the community," said Lt. Governor Aiona.

Tribute to former councilwoman

Hawai`i state flags at local government buildings will fly at half-staff today from sunrise to sunset in honor of Honolulu City Council member Barbara Marshall, who recently lost her battle with cancer. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Councilwoman Marshall's family and friends during this time," Lt. Governor Aiona said. "She had a tremendous impact on the lives of many across our state. Her legacy of service and aloha stands as a model for our young people."

Stimulating the economy

Lt. Governor Aiona today will participate in a news conference at the State Capitol where the Administration is expected to outline the transporation projects that will be funded with Hawai`i's share of the federal money from the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The state Department of Transportation has received more than $200 million from the federal stimulus package to fund "shovel-ready" highway and other projects that will begin immediately across the state.

Boosting the local economy

Lt. Governor Aiona visits Maui today for two speaking engagements with community groups that are worried about current economic conditions in the state. In a scheduled address to the 240-plus member Condominum Council of Maui, the Lt. Governor is expected to emphasize the steps that the Administration is taking to stimulate the local economy. Lt. Governor Aiona also intends to outline the Administration's plan for clearing the substantial financial hurdle facing Hawai`i when he speaks tonight at the Kihei Community Association's monthly meeting with residents of South Maui.

Celebrating statehood

Lt. Governor Aiona today participates in a joint legislative session to mark the 50th anniversary of Hawai`i becoming a state. On March 18, 1959, then-President Dwight Eisenhower signed into law the bill that allowed Hawai`i to become the 50th state of the United States of America. Lt. Governor Aiona will be joined by Governor Linda Lingle, legislators, statehood commission members, and other dignitaries during the 12 p.m. event, which will be webcast live at: www. hawaii.gov/statehood.

Recognizing CFOs in Hawai`i

Lt. Governor Aiona today participates in the inaugural "CFO of the Year Award" being presented by the Pacific Business News at the Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki. The weekly newspaper will name one of 19 finalists as Hawai`i's 2009 chief financial officer of the year. Lt. Governor is helping recognize CFOs in an era when their role in Hawai`i's business community has never been more important or more demanding.

Responding to Superferry employees

The Lingle-Aiona Administration today deployed its Rapid Response unit to help laid-off Hawai`i Superferry workers find new jobs on Maui and O`ahu. The team, part of the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, was scheduled to meet with nearly 150 displaced workers. The meeting on O`ahu was set for the Hawai`i Superferry headquarters at Restaurant Row between 9 a.m. and noon. The Maui meeting was scheduled for the same timeframe at the Kahului Harbor, Pier 2.

Recognizing volunteer service

Lt. Governor Aiona today helps promote community service by presenting the 2009 Governor's Volunteer Recognition Awards. An estimated 300 people are expected to attend the event set for the hibiscus room at the Ala Moana Hotel. The five winners range from big companies such as Bank of Hawai`i to individuals like Keith "Skibs" Nehls, who has been cleaning, landscaping and maintaining Honolii Beach Park on the Big Island for more than five years.

'Talk Story' with Lt. Governor Aiona

In his weekly radio call-in show today on Honolulu's KHVH 830 AM, Lt. Governor Aiona will discuss with host Mike Buck such issues as the current economic conditions in the state during the hour-long show that starts at 5 p.m.

Auto show builds buzz for clean energy

Lt. Governor Aiona today addresses auto industry executives at the Hawai`i Convention Center in Honolulu, where the group is gathering for the 2009 First Hawaiian International Auto Show. The Lt. Governor's remarks will include the Administration's plan to create an electric-car network as part of an ambitious effort to wean the state from near-complete dependence on oil for its energy needs.

Bar associations meet in Hawai`i

Lt. Governor Aiona today opens the 2009 Western States Bar Conference for lawyers from 16 states and the Northern Marina Islands. Between 100 and 150 leaders of more than two dozen bar associations are expected at the conference set for the Turtle Bay Resort.

Building workforce of the future

Lt. Governor Aiona today helps officially launch the 2009 NASA/BAE Systems FIRST in Hawai`i Regional Robotics Competition at the University of Hawai`i's Stan Sheriff Center. He joins Governor Linda Lingle in welcoming an estimated 1,000 students from 34 high school robotics teams that will compete with robots they built over a six-week timeframe using a standard kit of parts.

Crowning winners of robotics competition

Lt. Governor Aiona today joins Governor Linda Lingle in presenting awards to the top performers of the NASA / BAE Systems FIRST in Hawai`i Regional Robotics Competition, featuring 34 teams with more than 1,000 students. The presentations are part of the closing ceremony for the event held at the University of Hawai`i's Stan Sheriff Center.

Meeting on Lahaina Bypass project

West Maui residents will have a say this week on the section of the Lahaina Bypass project that stretches nearly two miles from Lahainaluna Road to Hokiokio Place. The state Department of Transportation has scheduled a public meeting on this initial phase of the project for Thursday, April 2, 2009 at the Lahaina Civic Center. Residents will be able to get an update on the project as well as answers to any of their questions about it at the meeting, which starts at 6 p.m.

Transportation executives to meet

Lt. Governor Aiona today will address members of the Hawai`i Transportation Association at their quarterly meeting set for the Honolulu County Club. In his remarks, the Lt. Governor is expected to discuss how the Administration is attempting to meet the economic challenges facing the state.