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April 09, 2009 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1
According to a press release that landed in my inbox today, state lawmakers are pushing to get the Hawaii Supreme Court to reconsider the decision that put the Alakai out of commission and on a course for Alabama. Rather than calling this what it is—a desperate attempt to remove egg from face—the Senate is claiming the challenge is being issued because of fears the Supreme Court's ruling "could significantly limit the legislature's ability to enact laws or to address specific public policy challenges as they arise." Please. Act 2 was not passed because of a "public policy challenge," it was passed to ram through a controversial project before the required and needed environmental studies had been completed. If the legislature is so worried about setting a bad precedent, maybe they should have thought of that before they, well, set a bad precedent.
THURSDAY, APRIL 2
We scolded West Maui Rep. Angus McKelvey for his "no" vote on the civil union bill, but we'll give credit where it's due: he's on the right side of the fight to keep public access TV alive and well on Maui. There are two bills—HB984 and SB1680—currently being considered on Oahu that could have a drastic impact on the future of Akaku and other community stations. Both bills are being sold as a way to improve broadband access. But one of the devils hidden in the details is a provision that could slash funding for local public access, essentially allowing cable giant Time Warner to stop paying the "rent" it owes for use of the public's airwaves. But some, including Rep. McKelvey, are fighting to place language in the bills that protects community stations. You can follow the bills at capitol.hawaii.gov and get more info and sign an online petition at akaku.org.
| |  | | | |  | | Where there's smoke there's tax hikes. |
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
Here's something I've never understood: are cigarette tax hikes an attempt to punish smokers or help them? I ask after reading an AP item in today's Maui News about how the tax on a pack of cigarettes in Hawaii is set to go up by more than $1 because of combined state and federal increases. Deborah Zysman, director of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii is quoted as saying the extra cost will mean "fewer kids [will] start to smoke, and…current adult smokers [will] attempt to quit." At the same time, whenever these tax bumps occur you hear how it's a good way to generate revenue (and smokers make an easy target, especially 'cause they can't run very fast.) But here's the paradox: If the goal is to entice people to quit smoking or not take up the habit at all, eventually the tax destroys itself and the revenue stream dries up. Whatever the muddled impetus behind the tax, it has forced smokers to band together, and I don't just mean on those crowded outdoor patios where they all have to huddle like nicotine-addicted refugees. Apparently there is an advocacy organization called Hawaii Smokers Alliance (hawaiismokersalliance.com), whose stated goal is "a complete removal of…bigoted, unconstitutional and unscientifically based prohibition laws." Even as a non-smoker who doesn't enjoy inhaling other people's noxious vapors, I have sympathy. In a few short decades smokers went from the epitome of cool to social pariahs. It's enough to make you reach for an unfiltered Camel.
SATURDAY, APRIL 4
Whether you think genetically modified crops are a triumph of modern innovation or an example of science gone horribly wrong, it's tough not to see the sad symbolism that would accompany GMO taro. Some have proposed "improving" the sacred, staple Native Hawaiian crop as a way to protect it against bugs and disease. Others have said: not so fast. As reported in today's Maui News, Councilmember Bill Medeiros introduced a bill that would ban modified taro in Maui County, and Native Hawaiian advocates and environmentalists have voiced their support. We've opposed Medeiros before (like, during the election) and we surely will again, but we're with him on this one.
SUNDAY, APRIL 5
You know you're behind the times when Iowa is leaving you in the dust, civil rights-wise. A state known more for corn than radical politics has become only the third member of the union to legalize gay marriage. Granted, the move came not as a result of popular will but a ruling by the state Supreme Court that overturned a gay marriage ban. (Further proof that when it comes to protecting minority rights, you can't rely on majority rule.) The Court summed up the argument nicely: "We are firmly convinced the exclusion of gay and lesbian people from the institution of civil marriage does not substantially further any important governmental objective." Here's hoping Hawaii lawmakers take note, and more importantly sprout some spines… In other news: So yes, North Korea did indeed conduct its much-ballyhooed missile/satellite/whateverthehellitwas launch. And no, Hawaii was not struck by debris despite the numerous e-mails, text messages and anxious phone calls that floated around. Clearly the launch wasn't a good thing. But just as clearly, this is a complicated, delicate situation, one that calls for nuance and a coordinated, carefully considered international response. So of course the blathering heads on the right are already calling the Obama Administration a bunch of weak-kneed appeasers for, I dunno, failing to go on TV and burn an effigy of Kim Jong Il under a banner that says "Now You're in the Access of the Really Evil" while singing "God Bless America." You know, Bush-style diplomacy.
MONDAY, APRIL 6
Recently, an acquaintance of mine offered an interesting drunken theory (as opposed to the much more common uninteresting drunken theory): the fortunes of Maui's economy will be inextricably linked this year with those of local boy and pro ballplayer Shane Victorino. I think he meant it in a hopeful way, since Victorino's star is rising—last season he got a Gold Glove, a World Series ring and a new contract. But if yesterday's Opening Day output was any indication, we're in for a tough '09: the Phillies lost to Atlanta 4-1 and Shane went 0-3 with a strikeout. Ah well, the beauty of baseball—like life—is that there's always another game.
TUESDAY, APRIL 7
More Superferry news (prepare to shake your head in exasperated resignation): Remember all those crazy conspiracy nuts who said there was a clandestine military motive behind the whole operation? And remember how officials scoffed at the notion, most recently Superferry CEO Tom Fargo who said the Alakai's nice shiny paint job was proof it was intended to be a means of inter-island transport and nothing more? Well according to a report in today's Honolulu Advertiser, in November the Defense Department awarded a contract to build high-speed military transport ships to Austral USA, the company behind...the Superferry! The report goes on to point out that "Superferry's two catamarans are available for military lease" now that the Supreme Court has shut them down. Fargo offered a telling "no comment." Which brings us to this juicy nugget from the Press-Register of Mobile, Alabama, new home of the Alakai: "Industry analyst Tim Colton said the military is a natural fit for the ferries, now adorned with colorful swimming manta rays. 'Any day now, they'll be painted gray,' Colton said." (Hey, turns out the military has paintbrushes after all, Tom!) Man, sometimes it sucks to be right. MTW
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