Blogging the Aloha State and Beyond
There’s a maelstrom of controversy surrounding Hawaii House Bill #444, which “extends the same rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities of spouses in a marriage to partners in a civil union.” Churches and other groups organized a demonstration against the bill that drew thousands to the State Capitol on Sunday, and...
A cross section of Hawaii’s tech sector — ranging from entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to business leaders and everyday geeks — will present a united front at tomorrow’s opening day at the Hawaii State Legislature. Spearheaded by Bill Spencer of the Hawaii Venture Capital Association, the group will amass at...
The “Purple States” project aims to merge the best of citizen journalism and the established media. Described as “reality news” and a cross between “The Real World” and “The Huffington Post,” it launched in the run up to the 2008 elections. The “Purple States” project previously highlighted a handful of...
Last July, journalist and columnist Bob Jones said you could “bet on it”: longtime U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie would run for governor. Even though Abercrombie said no to challenging Gov. Linda Lingle in 2006, it looks like the time is right for a run in 2010. There has yet to...
Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama appeared on “Late Show with David Letterman” last night to talk about Bill Clinton, Sarah Palin, and foreign policy. Part of the conversation, however, touched on Obama’s first trip to the Mainland as a young boy. Dave: “I want you to tell us a little...
Rush transcript of Barack Obama’s remarks to Hawaii at Keehi Lagoon Beach Park: Aloha! First of all, everybody who doesn’t know, this is Michelle Obama. My partner, my love, and the person who knocks sense into me every once in a while. First I want to thank… Mayor Mufi Hanneman....
David Motari, the Hawaii marine who was engulfed in controversy over a video clip posted to YouTube in March, has been expelled from the service. The video showed Motari throwing a puppy off a cliff while on patrol in Iraq. According to an official statement placed front and center yesterday...
Hawaii’s Sen. Daniel K. Akaka is the latest “superdelegate” to back Hawaii-born Barack Obama‘s bid for President of the United States. His announcement was first noted by NBC’s Domenico Montanaro on MSNBC and confirmed via a Star-Bulletin report on Akaka’s official statement. His announcement brings the number of superdelegates pledged...
Hawaii grassroots politics, going virtual: The reality of eDemocracy in Hawaii gains momentum as members of HawaiiConCon.org and Citizens’ Committee on ConCon call on citizens to join Hawaii’s newest open online community at HawaiiConCon.org. Over 70 Hawaii citizens including prominent political and technology leaders have already joined HawaiiConCon.org to “learn,...
From the irrepressible Malia Zimmerman, editor of Hawaii Reporter, a call for testimony in support of HB 2557 HD1, which limits “compelled disclosure of sources or unpublished information” for journalists — otherwise known as a “journalism shield law.” HB 2557 HD1 “relating to evidence” will be heard this Thursday in...
A YouTube video showing American soldiers tossing a puppy off a cliff in Iraq has set off a firestorm of protest online, and a 22-year-old Marine stationed at Kaneohe has become a ‘figure of hate‘ around the world. KITV called the incident “terribly upsetting,” and, like other news outlets, broadcast...
Hawaii Democratic Caucus from hawaii on Vimeo. Hawaii-born U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama won handily in Hawaii’s historic Democratic caucuses on Tuesday. More than 37,000 people turned out to participate in a process that previously drew no more than 4,900 caucusgoers, and Obama won 76 percent of the vote (compared...
Tomorrow is “Beach Access Day,” a statewide day of action to preserve public access to beaches and shorelines. While state law says you should be able to freely enjoy our island state’s beautiful coastline, aggressive property owners and government bureaucracy are making it increasingly difficult to reach them. The non-profit...
It’s the stuff of urban legends and a million e-mail forwards: aspartame (a.k.a. Nutrasweet, Equal, and other brands) causes cancer, brain tumors, and a multitude of other ghastly and deadly health problems. And while the FDA, MIT, and several other so-called “experts” have constantly affirmed the relative safety of aspartame,...
A month after putting out the call, House Communications Director Georgette Deemer announced that she has found her blogger: Thelma Dreyer. She will take over the reigns at the Hawaii House Blog, documenting life at the Capitol. Of course, as Deemer commented on my earlier post, her position as Assistant...
The House Majority at the Hawaii State Legislature has put out the call, on its blog no less, for a full-time blogger. Well, an “assistant communications director” with others duties as assigned, no doubt, but still… House Communications Director Georgette Deemer is looking for someone who loves to write. “Not...
Cat Toth, immensely popular local reporter and blogger for the Honolulu Advertiser, stars in this… mind blowing tribute to Lt. Governor Duke Aiona. “Aiona Girl” was shown at “Gridiron 2007,” the annual fundraiser for the local chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. It’s a can’t-miss event that recaps the...
The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2007, a.k.a. the Akaka Bill, was passed by the U.S. House this morning, 261-153. Numerologists take note, it was the 1,000th vote taken by the 110th Congress. “Today’s House action provides great momentum in our effort to extend federal recognition to Hawaii’s indigenous...
A few days ago, I mentioned the disappointing news that one of Hawaii’s up-and-coming young lawmakers, Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, had been busted for DUI. I also noted that Karamatsu, as one of our few elected leaders with a blog, had a unique opportunity to address his constituents and the...
Hawaii Rep. Neil Abercrombie was the only Democrat to side with the Bush Administration in voting against a media sheild bill that would protect journalists from being forced to reveal confidential sources. It’s an odd vote for a man who may just be the last surviving long-haired hippie in congress,...
What I’m Reading Hawaii Wire
