Peace activist Jim Albertini has written a letter to Lt. Col. Warline Richardson of the Pohakuloa Training Area, asking that Stryker Brigade vehicles be removed from this Saturday’s Veterans Day Parade in Hilo. Albertini tells the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that he’s concerned the presence of the vehicles “glorifies war” under the guise of honoring veterans. Richardson called Albertini on Monday to confirm that two Stryker vehicles would be in the parade, but they would be unarmed command vehicles.
A group of native Hawaiians, some claiming lineage to King Kamehameha III, met for three hours with Deputy Corporation Counsel Gerald Takase, Property Manager Kenneth VanBergen, and Guaranty Title Company researcher Colleen Uahinui to discuss the possible sale of Hamakua land near Paauilo. According to the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald”, potential land claimants danced on the table and showed documents and land records that allegedly claim that Hamakua Sugar Company never had clear title to the land to begin with.
(AP). Hawaii Democratic Representative Neil Abercrombie estimates close to 47,000 island residents would benefit from a measure passed by the U.S. House. The bill would extend unemployment benefits for 14 weeks to a total of 1.3 million jobless Americans who will exhaust their unemployment beneftis by the end of the year. Abercrombie says it’s one of the most direct and cost-effective ways to stimulate the economy.
(AP). Economist Leroy Laney says next year may be a year of stabilization in Hawaii’s economy, but it will likely be 2011 before sustained economic recovery sets in. Laney is economic advisor to First Hawaiian Bank and professor of economics and finance at Hawaii Pacific University. He spoke yesterday at the bank’s 40th annual Business Outlook Forum in Honolulu.
(AP). Hawaii would be allowed to opt out of key requirements of national health care reform legislation, the only state given such a privelege because it already has its own health insurance law. Democratic Representative Mazine Hirono says Hawaii’s 35-year old health law should be preserved because its rule that employers pay for full-time workers’ health insurance has boosted the number of insured residents to one of the highest rates in the nation.
Governor Linda Lingle recently released $3,049,000 for vaious improvement at state hospitals, including upgrades to X-Ray systems, an emergency room renovation, electrical upgrades, and other improvements. Ka’u Hospital, Kohala Hospital, and Hale Hoola Hamakua on Hawaii Island will each receive $414,000 to replace aging X-Ray systems.
Notice to motorists: The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Lantern Parade will be held today, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. To accommodate the parade, Alii Drive will be closed from Palani Road to Hualalai Road.
Don’t forget the Coffee and Art Stroll in Holualoa Village this Saturday. Along with 29 West Hawaii Farms serving free samples of their finest Kona brews from the front lanai’s of the historic buildings that line the Mamalahoa Highway, there will be local entertainers filling the air with music from the Kimura Lauhala Shop to the Holuakoa Gardens & Cafe. Get there early to get the best parking.