Hawaii

"Education Secretary Arne Duncan said today that because of Furlough Fridays Hawaii faces "a heck of a challenge" in qualifying for $20 million to $75 million in federal funds under the Obama administration's $4 billion "Race to the Top" grant program which will be awarded next year. In a news tele-conference this morning Duncan said he is "highly aware" of the actions taken by Hawaii to close island classrooms 17 days this academic year and an equal amount next year because dropping tax revenues have contributed to an estimated $1 billion shortfall in Hawaii's overall state budget. But he added that the actions of Gov. Linda Lingle, the Hawaii State Teachers Association and the state Board of Education means eliminating nearly 10 percent of 180 school days. He described the actions as "mind-boggling."" - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

""We knew we didn't want air conditioning but we wanted a house that was cool," said Chris Conger, a 37-year-old coastal geologist with the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program. "It wasn't that hard. I guess it depends on how you approach it." Even so, it was an ambitious job expanding the 970-square-foot house into a 2,300-square-foot house. At roughly half a million dollars, it was also expensive — but the Congers view it as an investment in a home they will use for decades. Their home went from three bedrooms and one bathroom to four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The couple added a sun room, opened up the kitchen, reorganized the interior and built a garage. They also moved the entire house to another spot on their flag lot." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"Some think that separate lawsuits challenging the state's plans to save money with "furlough Fridays" could have an even bigger effect than the landmark Felix case that overhauled Hawaii's educational system in the 1990s. Advertisement A 1993 lawsuit filed on behalf of a disabled Maui student named Jennifer Felix alleged that the state failed to provide services required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The case dragged through U.S. District Court in Honolulu and the subsequent 1994 Felix Consent Decree dominated Hawaii's education agenda for a decade, revamped the state Department of Education and cost the state an estimated $1 billion." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"A $76 million budget deficit, a standoff between the University of Hawaii's administration and its faculty union, and fears of massive cuts to programs, departments and schools have longtime professors calling the situation at UH the worst money and morale crisis they have known. Advertisement "This is far and away the worst I've seen — I'm not exaggerating. For the first time, we are simply looking at the real possibility of damage to the whole institution," said professor David Stannard, chairman of the American studies department. He has been at UH since 1979, and his views reflected those of several colleagues. No new talks are scheduled between the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly and the administration over proposed concessions that at one point included a 5 percent pay cut for UHPA's estimated 3,000 members." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"A team led by a small Hawaii company was competing to design a new generation of military transport ships when Navy officials dropped it from contention in late 2007 because the team's entry did not meet the Navy's criteria. Not all was lost for Navatek Ltd., however. The Honolulu firm had a powerful ally in Washington, D.C.: U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. Since 1997, executives of Navatek and its parent firm, the privately owned Pacific Marine, have contributed more than $29,000 to Inouye's campaign coffers, most of it since 2003. And now the eight-term Hawaii Democrat is trying to direct $2.2 million in taxpayer money to the company to finance a model of an amphibious vehicle that the Navy rejected." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"Police say there's been an alarming increase in these types of crimes and are investigating if some of them may be connected. "I haven't seen this many in this short a period of time," said Maj. William Chur, commander of the Kalihi district. "We've very, very concerned." There have been at least eight cases of thieves using trucks or other vehicles to crash through the entrance of businesses"... "Typically, they steal a car and use it to smash in," he said. More recently, thieves have been targeting businesses with ATMs on property, he said." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"The lei, flowers and cards of condolences have long been removed from Xerox Corp.'s 12th floor offices on Bishop Street, and this year — the 10th anniversary of Hawaii's worst mass murder — the tragedy of Nov. 2, 1999, will be remembered in silence by each employee. Advertisement The trauma and the loss of seven co-workers who were gunned down by convicted killer Byran Uyesugi — an angry and disgruntled Xerox copy machine repairman now serving a 235-year prison term — always invades the thoughts of Ian K.P. Yee as each Nov. 2 draws near." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"The decision to furlough Hawaii government workers could result in an increase in overtime costs at facilities operated 24 hours a day. Advertisement At the Hawaii State Hospital in Kane'ohe, the only state-run psychiatric hospital in the Islands, some are questioning whether overtime costs to cover for furloughed workers will exceed what the state saves. The concerns are spurring the Health Department to take another look at staffing at the State Hospital, including whether the Kaneohe facility could be exempted from furloughs." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"A reeling University of Hawaii football team is desperately seeking the only salve that matters in the world of collegiate athletics — their next win. Advertisement Yesterday's 31-21 loss to conference rival Nevada extended the Warriors' losing streak to six games. UH (2-6 overall, 0-5 Western Athletic Conference) has not won since its 38-20 victory over Pac-10 doormat Washington State on Sept. 12." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"Comedian Frank DeLima, whose Friday school visitations have been pre-empted by "furlough Fridays," has written parody lyrics to the tune of "Day-O," lamenting school closures caused by the state budget shortfall. Advertisement "Furlough Day," with the refrain "Friday come and we gotta stay home," could become the unofficial anthem of the disruption to the school year.It's been aired on KSSK radio and can be downloaded, for a donation, from www.frankdelima.com. DeLima said he recorded the song on Thursday and e-mailed it yesterday. "It's a way of making light of a serious situation as a way to help people deal with the issue of furloughs," DeLima said. "Instead of less time in our schools, students need more time in school." Yesterday was the second of 17 furlough Fridays kicked off last week as a way to bridge a burgeoning budget gap." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"Federal Judge David Ezra has been appointed a "special master" to oversee settlement talks aimed at reopening Hawaii public schools for five days a week through the rest of the school year. Advertisement Ezra had been the judge assigned to two legal challenges to the "furlough Friday" program that closes public schools for 17 days through this school year. In a court order filed yesterday afternoon, Ezra said he had "recused" himself as judge on the cases so he could work with the parties on an out-of-court settlement. Ezra said he "believes recusal is a prudent action here because it would be improper for the Court to both work on an amicable out-of-court resolution and rule on the merits of the case."" - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"The three-month, $18 million renovation began Oct. 14 when the Missouri was pulled out of Pearl Harbor's battleship row, its home for the last 11 years. The Missouri, now a floating museum, was launched nearly 66 years ago and was the site of Japan's surrender in World War II. It also participated in Desert Storm in 1991. It's the first battleship to be drydocked at Pearl Harbor since World War II, and likely the last one in decades because the U.S. Navy has no more active battleships." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"The mayor announced yesterday that the city awarded the first major contract to design and build 6.5 miles of raised guideways between Kapolei and Pearl Highlands near Leeward Community College. Hannemann said the $483 million contract with low-bidder Kiewit Pacific Co. will create jobs and stimulate the sagging economy. He also noted that by awarding the contract in a down economy, the bid came in $90 million under the original estimate." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) announced yesterday he had met with U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan in hopes of finding money to restore furlough days. "We are about to rob 17 days from our children's school year -- days they will never get back, days they need to be in school," Abercrombie said. "The U.S. Department of Education is working with me to find every potential additional dollar that might be used to keep Hawaii's public schools open and operating for the full academic year."" - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"With 17,095 days in the Senate, Inouye trails only West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd and the late South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond in career longevity. Inouye will catch up with Thurmond in eight months, and he's still about four years behind the 91-year-old Byrd." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

This is never a problem here in Honolulu. - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"Viewers hooked on KGMB-TV's local news or CBS network programs, but who watch the station over the air, will lose those shows when the station changes places with KFVE-TV." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"As all Hawaii counties soon may ban hand-held cellular phones while driving, the Legislature should make the prohibition uniform in its upcoming session. Hawaii would be the eighth state to implement a statewide ban as Congress considers legislation to reward states that do so or punish those that don't. Honolulu's ban of hand-held cell phone usage while driving took effect July 1 and a similar ban on the Big Island will be launched in January. Kauai County Councilman Derek Kawakami said he intends to introduce such legislation, and Maui's County Council is considering a bill, Kauai's Garden Island newspaper reported." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"Pontanilla said his proposal was in line with jurisdictions around the country that are beginning to crack down on distracted driving. Honolulu already has a ban in place, and a similar bill was passed recently by the Hawaii County Council. Honolulu's law took effect on July 1." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"With images of palm trees swaying on a manicured lawn overlooking the ocean, the Web site fangerestates.com invites visitors to rent two luxury beachfront homes in Hauula to experience "paradise in Hawaii." Neighbors say the online ad is one of the most recent examples of marketing illegal commercial activities in residential areas on Oahu and reflects the lax enforcement of city zoning codes." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

Brynn, that would not surprise me at all. - Bill Sodeman

The LCROSS (Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite) Mission was timed for optimal observing from Mauna Kea's telescopes because of their location and power and nearly full stage of the moon. Islanders also should be able to see the impact with 10- to 12-inch telescopes, weather permitting, and amateur astronomers are encouraged to record images and share them with NASA for an archive of data. The $79 million mission is expected to provide the answer, or at least clues, to the big question of whether there is water on the moon. - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"The Bishop Museum is offering educational activities on Fridays when schools are closed due to budget cuts. The daylong program is meant to benefit children who would miss out on instructional time. It includes exhibits about dinosaurs, Hawaiian history, volcanos, Polynesian navigation and the Earth's climate. Programs will be led by the Bishop Museum's education staff and volunteers. Museum President Timothy Johns says the programs offer parents an alternative to the school day in a safe learning environment. Bishop Museum Furlough Fridays will be held on the same 17 days when school is out, starting Oct. 23. Prices start at $25 per day." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"Waimanalo, on windward Oahu, is the site proposed — a magnificent stretch of land between the towering cliffs and the sparkling sea.... "Hawaii offers advantages that no other country can parallel for a world capital of nations meeting in amity and discussing international problems with as near impartiality as possible," says Mr. Fagan. "This mid-Pacific archipelago is remote, geographically, from the attentions and controversies of any continent. In geography, in climate, in such facilities as transportation and communications, the island of Oahu is admirably situated and the Waimanalo site appears to be excellent." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"Belgian King Albert II and Queen Paola, the U.S. ambassador to Belgium and nearly 400 people visiting from Hawaii are to party together today in festivities at Tremelo, the village where Father Damien De Veuster grew up." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet

"About 10 years ago, when I lived on the North Shore, a neighbor came to my door to report a monk seal lying on a busy nearby beach. Down to the site I went, and there found the mother of two young children instructing them to -- I shudder as I write this -- sit on the seal so she could get a picture. "No!" I shouted, rushing to grab the little ones heading toward the sleeping animal. I scared the mom, the children and myself half to death, but not the seal. It lifted its head, eyed us and went back to sleep. The mainland woman hadn't known Hawaiian monk seals are both endangered and dangerous. First of all, it's illegal to approach a monk seal within 100 feet. Second, these powerful wild animals have razor-sharp teeth that could cause grave injury. After the family left and my heart climbed back in my chest, I sat on the beach, asking passers-by to give the seal a wide berth..." - Bill Sodeman from Bookmarklet