2009 January

2009 Legislative Initiatives

"Everyone in Hawai`i has been affected in some way by the economic downturn, and we are taking a proactive approach that will lead to economic recovery and long-term prosperity for all of Hawai`i," Lt. Governor Aiona said before attending Governor Linda Lingle's seventh State of the State address to the people of Hawai`i.

Traffic Advisory

Lt. Governor Aiona is alerting Hawai`i motorists to construction work that may complicate trips on roadways across the state in the week ahead. Among the trickiest areas to navigate on the Big Island will be the Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway, where a road widening project continues to force intermittent lane closures in both directions between Henry Street and Ke`alakehe Parkway. Starting Monday, that area will be closed for 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Unemployment benefits increase

Despite concerns about the latest unemployment numbers, many jobless residents in Hawai`i have been eligible for 46 weeks to receive state unemployment benefits, according to the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. That is because twice, since July 2008, measures have been approved to extend unemployment benefits in Hawai`i beyond the 26-week limit, extensions that allow unemployed individuals and their families with additional financial resources to help pay their bills as they attempt to get back into the job market.

Tax help for families

Hawai`i will be part of a nationwide initiative Friday to encourage more working families to claim the earned income tax credit, an often over-looked benefit that's worth up to $4,824 this year. As part of the awareness effort, Governor Lingle and Lt. Governor Aiona will declare Friday as "Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day" in Hawai`i.

Moloka`i hospital unveils new look

Lt. Governor Aiona today visits Moloka`i to help usher in a new era for the only hospital for the island's roughly 7,000 residents. The newly renovated Moloka`i General Hospital is now expected to be significantly more equipped to handle heart attacks, broken bones and other traumas that define its core mission.

'Talk Story' with Lt. Governor Aiona

In his weekly radio call-in show Monday on Honolulu's KHVH 830 AM, Lt. Governor Aiona will discuss state issues with host Mike Buck. Among the issues likely to be discussed during the show is the Lingle-Aiona Administration's package of 168 legislative bills that was recently submitted to state lawmakers.