There is no right or wrong answer to the above question. I like memes that tickle thoughts.
Do most people really want huge mansions and fancy cars?
Do some people want to a farmer?
To add the the thought, isn’t it interesting that there are enough people who work and lead very hectic lives in the cities with the dream that they will get a chance to live in a small farm when they retire.
The Honolulu Rail Project began in 2006 at the estimated cost of $2.7 BILLION. It has been delayed for over a decade and the estimated costs is now hovering around $12.4 BILLION.
The price will surely escalate as the conventional wisdom and warnings are that the last leg of the project will be the most costly and most complicated.
One huge elephant in the room is the fact that the route from Middle Street to Ala Moana Center is in the Honolulu Sea Level Rise Inundation Zone. But this climate change issue has been ignored and set aside by the Honolulu Rail Project decision-makers.
It’s extremely contradictory as Hawaii became the first state in the U.S. to declare climate change as a crisis. Additionally, the City and County of Honolulu also create the Office of Climate Change and Resiliency to promote climate change planning.
Facebook memes are not always accurate but this one caught my attention. There is food for thought for this meme.
I’m still amazed at the tremendous technology that allows us to click on Google Earth, type in an address, and see so much space instantly. This is one instance where technology is for public good. We have been able to check out areas on earth without traveling there.
This is a great resource for every one, including introducing grandchildren to this wonderful world of places.
Can you see what a farmer did on his tract of land in Kipahulu, Maui, Hawaii? This area is past the drive to Hana through the iconic “Hana Highway”.
Senator Kalani English, Majority Floor leader had announced his retirement on May, 2021 citing after-effects from COVID19. The FBI was already investigating him then.
House Representative Ty Cullen resigned on February 8, 2021 upon public announcement of his bribery charges.
The charges brought against them can be read from the horse’s mouth here, relating to collecting bribes in the bills decision-making process. It’s worth the read.
It appears like a sting operation. But there have been persistent rumours of “horse-trading” at the capitol. These incidents help explain why some good public purpose Bills die while other problematic ones are approved.
An antidote to all these shenanigans is term limits. It’s one way to put a damper on corruption and arrogance.
Both legislators have impressive resume.
Here is House Representative Ty Cullen’s.
EDUCATION
• St. Joseph’s School
• Damien Memorial High School
• University of Hawaii at Manoa
• Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
• Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
• Master of Public Administration, Public Administration Program
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Certified
• Response Ability Pathways (RAP) Certified
• PCF Pacific Century Fellows Class of 2012
• FYLPRO Class 2015
• APAICS National Leadership Academy 2012
• CSG West Western Legislative Academy 2013
WORK EXPERIENCE
• Hale Kipa Inc.
• Program Coordinator
• Youth Advocate
• Case Manager
• Aloha Airlines
• Lead Ramp Agent
• Teaching Assistant, St. Michael’s School
• Intern, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation
CIVIC SERVICE
• Knights of Rizal, Inductee Aloha Chapter, 2019
• 2018 Hawaii Farm Bureau Legislator of the Year
• Director, Village Park Community
• Association Board of Directors
• Precinct Chair, Democratic Party
• District 41 Precinct 5
PUBLIC OFFICE
• Waipahu Neighborhood Board
COMMUNITY SERVICE
• Filipino Community Center, Public Service, 2016
• Legislator of the Special Session, 2013
• Guide Dogs of Hawaii, Appreciation of Support, 2016
• HIV / AIDS Prevention Instructor
• Juvenile Justice Compliance Committee
• Kahana Valley Strategic Planning
• Society for Pidgin and Creole
• Linguistics (SPCL)
• Waipahu Cane Haul Run
• Waikele Taking Action Against Graffiti (TAAG) Team
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
• Assistant Coach, Waikele Wildcats
• Youth Football
• Assistant Coach, PONY League
• Youth Baseball
• Kayak Instructor, YMCA
• Counselor, Kama’aina Kids
• Tutor, St. Joseph’s School
I’m not sure what’s going on with my program. But throughout the entire Tuesday, I could not get into my domain site.
It said I had the wrong password. Even though, it told me to use my email to reset a new password, I could not get back into the site. The link to reset my password did not appear in my designated email. I tried several times. I checked the “Social” and “Promotions” side, the link was not there either. Anyhow, that was what happened.
February 4, 2022 – February 20, 2022. The winter events are held in Beijing, National Stadium, Hebei. There are approximately 2,971 athletes competing from 91 countries.
This would be China’s distinct opportunity to hold a Summer Olympics in 2008 and then today’s Winter Olympics. I was in Beijing, China in 2007 and they were already selling the Olympics 2008 paraphernalia on the streets then. Certainly China has enough land to do both seasons.
With all the excitement and focus on medals, sometimes it’s hard for us to remember that these athletes sacrifice much and work their tails off to get to where they are today. We can’t forget the support of their families and mentors either. Their accomplishments make every sport seem so easy.
As wonderful as it is to praise medal winners, it’s just as important to praise others who won’t receive medals this time around. Years of training and sacrifice can be upended in “disasters” within seconds. It’s an unforgiving sport for sure. If it’s any comfort, it happens to the best. Even, Mikaela Shiffrin, who crashed out of women’s giant slalom yesterday.
Despite this unfortunate incident, her example of resilience, perseverance, and toughness is what the Olympics is all about. That’s the enduring character part that is the real winner.
Her remarks with CNN demands respect and admiration from us all: “We can go to a lot of different places in the season where we can put the blame, but the easiest thing to say is that I skied a couple of good turns and I skied one turn a bit wrong and I really paid the hardest consequence for that.”
“Shiffrin’s next chance at a medal comes in Wednesday’s slalom, the discipline she won gold in as a teenager at Sochi 2014.The three-time Winter Olympic medalist said she was “not going to cry” about the crash as it would just be “wasting energy.”
You go, Mikaela!
Every year, the Hawaii State Legislature seems to have a bill to introduce some sort of gambling in order to gain revenue. This year has House Representative John Mizuno introducing HB 1820.
| RELATING TO CASINO GAMING. | |
| Report Title: | Casino Gaming; Waikiki; Legalization |
| Description: | Grants a 10-year license for 1 stand-alone, members-only casino in Waikiki, not in a hotel. Allows guests 21 years of age or older who register to stay 1 day and night at a hotel on Oahu for each day of admission at $20-per-day pass. Establishes the Hawaii gaming control commission. Imposes wagering tax on gross receipts. Creates the state gaming fund and compulsive gambler program. |
| Companion: | |
| Package: | None |
| Current Referral: | ECD, CPC/JHA, FIN |
| Introducer(s): | MIZUNO |
Interestingly, Representative Mizuno is hopeful that the revenues from a casino will help increase tax revenues. Also supporting a measure that permits gaming on Hawaiian Homelands is Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) Chairman William Aila.
Both of these men have been around for decades and are aware of the issues, including the social ills and the poverty around the people they supposedly serve and represent.
Bill 1820 cites “successes” of such operations, including those in Singapore. Yes, Singapore has two casinos. Singapore is also known for its consistent and strict enforcement. Drug dealers and the like can expect harsh punishments, including the death penalty. This is a huge deterrent to crime, corruption and graft.
Residents opposing the idea of gambling are questioning how the State of Hawaii can “regulate and enforce” safeguards for a casino with its ongoing dismal record on many issues, including fireworks, vacation rentals, and so on. Note SB 1820 mercifully proposes a “compulsive gambler program”.
Senator Jarrett Keohokalole‘s SB 2608 and Representative Daniel Holt‘s HB 1962 proposals would provide DHHL $500,000 to conduct the study for the 2023 legislative session.
It’s food for thought that the two States – conservative Blue State Utah and Liberal Red State Hawaii – are the only two States that do not legalize gambling.
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that flags flown from vehicles being operated or moved on streets cause distractions and create unsafe driving conditions. The purpose of this Act is to discourage unsafe practices.
This Bill was DEFERRED to Tuesday February 8, 2022 for the 3:05PM AGENDA. SB 1357 to prohibit flags display on vehicles on roads, etc. SCROLL TO 1:30 to hear the status: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_Puas70MFA
We can’t have government incrementally shutting down Free Speech and Civic Participation. Although the State Capitol is one of the most ventilated buildings in Honolulu, it’s still closed to the public. The public cannot hold signs inside its meeting places. And now this shutting down of flags flying.
The Senate Transportation Committee Chair Chris Lee said yesterday that the intent of Bill 1357 was not to infringe on First Amendment Rights. The State Department of Transportation (DOT) submitted an unsigned testimony that it had received “numerous complaints and inquiries from the public about flags and other materials that impair the visibility of other drivers on the road. As such, we support all efforts to eliminate these unnecessary distractions.”
I wonder if DOT also received complaints and enquires about other traffic concerns.
Bill 1357 is not compelling enough except to shut down displays of discontent and public dissension. We must protect Free Speech at all costs.
There are lots of distractions and unsafe driving conditions on the road – Loose dogs. Drunk driving. Driving in opposite directions. Tourist trolleys. Huge vehicles blocking our view planes. Sign Waving. Display of huge banners on buildings along roads and so on.
The item that is most distracting and affecting road safety is the POTHOLES!!
We’re forced to keep our eyes down on the road to avoid the potholes which are EVERYWHERE. Our tires blow out. Cars swerve to try to miss the potholes on busy streets. The underbelly of the vehicles are damaged. POTHOLES are the most dangerous and most distracting.
Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent but our roads have become more and more dangerous. We would like the Hawaii Senate to focus on this huge distraction. It’s time to require a warranty on the road roadwork and so on to promote road safety.
It’s ridiculous that every time it rains, more potholes appear. There is no reason why the state cannot expect basic workmanship for the hundreds of millions that are spent annually.
Please terminate SB 1357 – It’s treacherous to free speech and an open democracy. Focus on the real traffic safety and driving conditions.