#Linda Lingle

The University of Hawaii Maui College broke ground yesterday on a new science building for the Kahului campus.  The updated science building will include a full array of photovoltaic cells and wind turbines that are projected to provide up to 30 percent of the power used in the 42,000 square foot structure.  George Kaya, Maui […]

Maui resident and developer Charles Jencks was appointed today to serve as an interim commission member for the state Land Use Commission (LUC). Jenks replaces Ransom “Randy” Piltz, who resigned earlier this month to run for Maui County Mayor. The appointment was announced today by Governor Linda Lingle. Jencks will complete the remainder of Piltz’s […]

A site inspection will be conducted today on the Uluniu/Halama Beach Reserve area of South Maui.  The reserve, located 1,000 feet south of Lipoa Street in Kihei, is the focus of today’s meeting of the Governor’s Council of Neighbor Island Advisors for Maui.  Bryce Buchanan and Vernon Altman of the Uluniu Beach Reserve Association will […]

An agreement has been reached on the Akaka Bill, also known as the Native Hawaiian government Reorganization Act (NHGRA).  Today U.S. Senators Daniel K. Akaka and Daniel K. Inouye announced that they have reached an agreement with Governor Linda Lingle that will secure the Governor’s full support for the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act.  Senator […]

Governor Linda Lingle vetoed 32 bills, signed one bill into law, and allowed another six to pass without her signature. The bills were among a list of 39 Governor Linda Lingle had submitted to the Legislature as she considered possible vetoes of the items. The most controversial of the items was the veto today of […]

Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai`i (ACLU) today expressed disappointment in Governor Linda Lingle’s decision today to veto House Bill 444 that would have given same sex couples similar legal responsibilities as legally married heterosexual couples.  The two groups readied a lawsuit after the House tabled the Civil Unions bill in […]

By Wendy Osher Governor Linda Lingle today vetoed the controversial Civil Unions bill saying the decision, “should be made by all of the people of Hawaii behind the curtain of the voting booth.” “After months of listening to Hawaii’s citizens express to me in writing and in person, their deeply held beliefs, and heartfelt reasons […]

Governor Linda Lingle is expected to announce her decision today on the controversial civil unions bill.  The item was among 39 the Governor is considering for potential veto.  If passed, the measure would give same sex couples, the same rights, responsibilities and benefits of legally married couples.  Any bill on the potential veto list can […]

By Wendy Osher The Maui Chamber of Commerce hosts the 10th Annual 4th of July Fireworks Celebration in Lahaina on Sunday. The event includes food, shopping entertainment, and the only public fireworks display on Maui beginning at 8 p.m. Front Street will be closed from 4 to 9 p.m. on Sunday to accommodate the celebration. […]

State House Speaker Calvin Say announced today that he would not call for a special session to override Governor Linda Lingle’s vetoes.  On June 21, 2010, the Governor released to the Legislature a list of 39 bills that were intended for veto.  The list included bills on public safety, civil unions, homelessness, and education. The […]

Governor Linda Lingle announced today that she granted pardons to 11 individuals in the first six months of this year. “I have carefully reviewed each individual’s pardon request, which was also thoroughly reviewed by the Department of Public Safety, the Hawai‘i Paroling Authority and the Attorney General’s Office,” said Governor Lingle.  “The individuals broke the […]

By Wendy Osher  Officiails with the Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety are reminding the public to be especially careful this Fourth of July because of the hot, dry and windy weather.  Anyone who plans on using fireworks or supervising children using fireworks should avoid use near dry brush, near fields or around homes.   […]

Governor Linda Lingle signed a bill into law yesterday that gives individual counties the authority to limit or ban fireworks.  Act 170 allows counties to enact ordinances that are more stringent than what the state already has in place. The new law also establishes a task force to make recommendations to prevent the illegal importation […]

Governor Linda Lingle today submitted to the State Legislature a list of 39 bills that she is considering for potential vetoes, including the controversial Civil Union Bill (HB444). Reasons given for potential vetos include significant negative impacts on the public, legal or constitutional concerns, potential unintended consequences, and technical flaws in the legislation. Any bill […]

Posted by Wendy Osher Executives with the newly established Haliimaile Pineapple Company will discuss the company’s operations at the upcoming meeting of the Governor’s Council of Neighbor Island Advisors for Maui.  Company board member, Doug MacCluer will speak on the company’s hiring of former Maui Land and Pineapple Company employees, and the effect of the […]

Governor Linda Lingle today issued an executive order to establish surfing reserves at two of Hawai‘i’s most well-known surfing areas.  The executive order “acknowledges the cultural, sports and historic significance of important surf sites in Hawai‘i,” and “raises public awareness about the importance of protecting, nourishing and developing Hawai‘i’s world famous surf sites.” The Governor’s […]

Governor Linda Lingle today announced that the State has advanced more than $1.8 billion in capital improvement projects (CIP) statewide, exceeding the original goal of her Administration’s plan to accelerate public infrastructure construction to stimulate the economy and create jobs. Over the past 17 months, the State has successfully opened bids for, awarded contracts for […]

A Maui company specializing in the production of products derived from the Noni plant, was recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce this week. Noni Biotech International was awarded with the Department’s Export Achievement Award. The award recognizes the Maui company for excellence in exporting products made in Hawaii. The Hawaii Export Assistance Center provided […]

Governor Linda Lingle announced a job creation initiative yesterday that seeks to lower the state unemployment rate to 6 percent by utilizing state and federal funds to subsidize health insurance premiums for 6,450 employees. “Hawai‘i Premium Plus will stimulate our state economy by reducing the unemployment rolls, encouraging businesses across the Islands to expand, and […]

The release of state tax refunds has been approved amid improving collections. The state will begin immediately issuing refunds for income tax returns that were processed during the months of January and February. Refunds will be processed by the Tax Department on a first-in-first-out basis, with the first refunds going to those who were earliest […]