2009 May

Developing highly-skilled workforce

Lt. Governor Aiona turns his attention Saturday to the Administration's initiative to cultivate in students statewide science, technology, engineering and math skills by supporting the 2009 Hawai`i Botball Regional Tournament. The tournament, set for the Hawai`i Convention Center, will draw 42 teams of middle and high school students from across the state.

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 issues as the bill review process for the 2009 legislative session, which ends Thursday, May 7. The Governor has until July 14 to sign, veto, or allow bills to become law without her signature.

Key dates in bill review process

As the 2009 legislative session winds down, the focus is shifting to the bill review process. Governor Linda Lingle has until July 14 to sign, veto, or allow bills to become law without her signature. To override a veto, the Hawai`i Legislature needs two-thrids vote of all members in both the House and Senate. Also, any bill that becomes law without signature will automatically go into effect on July 14, 2009.

Kids' Day 2009

Lt. Governor Aiona today joins the hundreds of volunteers who are expected to turn out for an annual fundraiser that benefits Parents and Children Together, one of the leading private nonprofit family service agencies. The Lt. Governor will help them sell for $1 a special "Kids' Day" edition of the Honolulu Advertiser.

Veto rally set for State Capitol

Lt. Governor Aiona today participates in a veto rally at the State Capitol where hundreds of people are expected to gather in opposition to legislation that the Administration believes will raise taxes and hurt economic recovery. Governor Linda Lingle will veto the measures at the rally, which begins at 3:30 p.m. Lt. Governor Aiona is calling on residents, businesses and visitors to join the Administration "in saying 'no' to the legislature's attempt to raise taxes and 'yes' to maintaining a balanced budget without raising taxes, sending workers to the unemployment line, or cutting essential services."

Future workforce

Lt. Governor Aiona today participates in the awards presentation for the Olelo Youth X-Change video competition, which provides Hawai`i students with an opportunity to express themselves through the use of new technology. The Lt. Governor's participation helps underscore the Administration's commitment to raise standards to produce a more competitive workforce.

Celebrating cultural pride

Lt. Governor Aiona today participates in the Filipino Fiesta and Parade in Waikiki, where an estimated 5,000 people are expected to turn out for the cultural celebration. The event is sponsored by the Filipino Community Center. It is also considered the largest annual gathering of the Filipino community.

Stopping the flu in schools

An ongoing effort to curb transmission of the seasonal flu in schools statewide is the focus of a news conference set for today at the State Capitol. Lt. Governor Aiona will be joined at the 10 a.m. news conference by school and public health officials.

Public comment on legislation

The Lingle-Aiona Administration is giving Hawai`i residents a say in its review of 250 bills passed during the legislative session that recently ended. Governor Linda Lingle has until July 15 to sign, veto or allow the measures to become law without her signature. As part of the review process, the Administration is encouraging public comment on the proposed legislation.

Reducing spending

As it seeks to patch a budget gap, the Lingle-Aiona Administration is cutting spending by 2 percent for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends June 30. The move is in direct response to an anticipated lower revenue forecast coupled with the legislative actions taken by lawmakers during their 2009 session.

Jobless claims fell in April

The number of Hawai`i workers filing new claims for state unemployment benefits fell to 6.9 percent in April, from 7.1 percent in March. As a result, 601,850 people were employed statewide that month, compared to 44,400 who were jobless. The statewide average was below the national average, which stood at 8.9 percent in April, but down from 8.5 percent in March.

Jobless claims fell in April

The number of Hawai`i workers filing new claims for state unemployment benefits fell to 6.9 percent in April, from 7.1 percent in March. As a result, 601,850 people were employed statewide that month, compared to 44,000 who were jobless. The statewide average was below the national average, which stood at 8.9 percent in April, but down from 8.5 percent in March.

Memorial Day Service

Lt. Governor Aiona today addresses Hawai`i veterans and their families at a Memorial Day event expected to draw an estimated 500 people. The Lt. Governor's remarks are scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Hawai`i State Veterans Cemetery.

Memorial Day

The Lingle-Aiona Administration today marks Memorial Day by paying tribute to the service men and women who sacrificed their lives for their country. From sunrise to noon, the Hawai`i State flag will be flown at half-staff on all government buildings along with the American flag.

"Talk Story" with the Lt. Governor

In his monthly radio call-in show Wednesday on Honolulu's KHVH 830 AM, Lt. Governor Aiona discusses with host Rick Hamada such state issues as the Administration's intensified response to the nationwide flu outbreak and some of the 250 bills passed during the 2009 legislative session in Hawai`i.

Talk radio in Maui and Kaua`i

Lt. Governor Aiona on Thursday will engage for an hour regular listeners of a call-in radio show simulcast on Maui and Kaua`i, starting at 7 a.m. Topics include the 250 bills passed during the 2009 legislative session. The Lingle-Aiona Administration is seeking public comment on the bills as part of its review process.

Confronting the real threat of a pandemic

As the H1N1 flu threat worsens, public health officials in Hawai`i continue to leap into action. The state Department of Health has scheduled a public meeting for Saturday, May 30, to discuss a key element of its crisis plan for a pandemic. Residents are being asked to help decide who first to give life-saving care in a pandemic.

Public meeting

The state Department of Health today will hold a public meeting on a key element of its crisis plan for a pandemic. Residents are being asked to help decide the order of priority for receiving life-saving care in a pandemic. The Lingle-Aiona Administration is attempting to engage the public in efforts to make sure that scarce resources such as vaccines are allocated in an objective way during a pandemic.

Budget gap grows

The Lingle-Aiona Administration's top officials are meeting throughout the weekend to identify ways to plug a projected deficit stemming from continued slumping state revenue figures. The state is facing a $185.6 million shortfall between now and June 30, 2009. That is in addition to a $500 million shortfall in fiscal year 2010, which begins July 1, 2009.