Aloha Reporter » Politics

Tweet about Hawaii? Get a lawyer …

AR — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:46:34 +0000

Original Photo Credit: Aquabumps

The Hawaii House is moving forward a bill that would punish websites, social media wireless communication, forums, twitter accounts or blogs for certain types of communication.

Oh, and print publications would be covered, too.

Hawaii First In Nation To Ban Shark Fins

AR — Sat, 29 May 2010 02:52:40 +0000

Hawaii has become the first state in the nation to ban shark fins.

Gov. Linda Lingle on Friday signed a bill prohibiting the possession, sale, trade or distribution of shark fins, which are used in pricey Chinese dishes.

Exceptions will be made for researchers who have obtained a permit from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Lawmakers hope the new law will help prevent overfishing and extinction of sharks harvested for their fins.

Many Chinese consider shark fins to be a delicacy, served in high-end Chinese restaurants in soup and as fillets in gravy.

The bill passed the state Legislature earlier this year with broad support.

Source: CBS News

Hawaii Lawmakers OK Oil, Cigarette Tax Increases

AR — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:39:44 +0000

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Photo Source: TreeHugger

Taxes on oil, some estates and cigarettes would go up in Hawaii under bills approved by the House and Senate on Wednesday.

Even if Gov. Linda Lingle vetoes these tax hikes, the Legislature left itself enough time to override her before session adjourns at the end of the month.

The oil tax increase would cost residents an estimated $15 to $20 a year, including an additional 2 or 3 cents per gallon of gasoline and higher power bills. The $22 million raised would primarily go toward the state’s general fund, with some money set aside for renewable energy programs.

The cigarette tax charges smokers 1 cent more per cigarette starting in July. Combined with a separate 1 cent cigarette tax previously approved, a pack would cost 40 cents more. The measure would generate about $10 million a year.

We’re #1… in pork barrel projects according to report

AR — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 20:09:53 +0000

Hawaii 24/7 reports …

A new report published by Citizens against Government Waste listed Hawaii as the number one state for pork barrel projects.

Following the exit of Alaska porker extraordinaire Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), the state slipped to number four in pork per capita. Hawaii led the nation with $251 per capita ($326 million). The runners up were North Dakota with $197 per capita ($127 million) and West Virginia with $146 per capita ($265 million).

The report is titled “2010 Congressional Pig Book Summary” and you can get a PDF summary for free by clicking here.

Source: Baron Sekiya, Hawaii 24/7