APEC helps create jobs. Reducing trade barriers increases sales of goods, which stimulates production in manufacturing and agriculture. Workers are needed when production goes up. Read more...
Clean energy gives more than just an environmental benefit. The police cars of Hoover, Alabama run on biodiesel made from wood waste that ordinarily would have gone into the city landfills, helping the city save on gas bills and landfill costs. (Read more about how other places are reducing their dependence on fossil fuels)
Here's a list of everyday products. Think of how it might affect daily life if the essential common ingredient became scarce or extremely expensive. (Read more about our dependence on petroleum)
A medical disaster could be the only thing standing between you and bankruptcy. In a national study of 2007 bankruptcy filings in selected states, 62% were caused by medical bills the patients could not pay. Read more...
The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event in Honolulu will take place on October 16 at Kapiolani Park. Read more...
The National Children's Study is the most comprehensive health study of children in our nation's history. Hawaii is one of 43 states where families can contribute to the information policy makers and researchers use to guide decision making and future research. Read more...
Updates on construction projects in the community: Kroc Center, James Campbell High School, Ewa Mahiko Gym, and others.
Click here to view the August 2011 newsletter
You may be one of those wondering why there is all the fuss about the November APEC meeting in Honolulu. Improving the conditions and processes for making business flow and increase within the Asian-Pacific Rim region is the basic purpose of APEC. Stakeholders and government officials discuss, negotiate, and formulate policies to reduce the time, cost, and uncertainty of moving goods and services throughout the Asia-Pacific region. By fostering economic stability and prosperity, APEC's members seek to raise living standards and educational levels for its citizens. Read more...
For more than 50 years, Japanese have been the largest Asian group in the state of Hawaii. To their credit, they were able to influence politics, education, and other aspects of our island lifestyle. Governor Burns' organizing of Japanese plantation laborers and including Japanese American veterans who fought in World War II led to a 40 year era of Democratic predominance in Hawaii politics which remains today.
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Have you seen school kids and thought to yourself, "they're big!" It's happening all over the country. A Mayo Clinic report on childhood obesity mirrors what our jogging President Bill Clinton summed up, to paraphrase, that we're eating more than we burn off. One in 6 of all children and adolescents, 17%, are obese according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is three times higher than it was only one generation ago.
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Beyond our global image as a place of beaches and sun, Honolulu is a major American metropolis. The Hawaii Opera Theatre, now-in limbo Honolulu Symphony, and many theatres are just part of our cultural offerings. We also have a diverse group of museums that preserve and promote the history of our islands and the talents of our people. Pearl Harbor, the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Bishop Museum, and Contemporary Art Museum are the better known ones, out of many located here in Honolulu. Oahu also has many scenic gardens for those who appreciate nature, besides the dozens of hiking trails and beaches already enjoyed by many. So when you have some free time and want to explore and enjoy our islands, why not pay a visit?
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In the last article, we talked about some out of the ordinary places to visit. Here are more museums Oahu has to offer.
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Bills under consideration are not the only activity buzzing around the State Capitol. Many events to educate lawmakers and the public are held, as well as those to recognize and honor members of our community. Here are three recent ones.
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The Legislature is at Crossover, the halfway point and deadline for a chamber to decide on bills that originated in it. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety, during the interim between sessions, I worked with the Department of Public Safety (DPS), groups who work with prisoners and ex-offenders, and other stakeholders to develop bills in this area. These bills were approved by the Senate and will move on to the House for its consideration.
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Homeless advocate and worker Jason Espero sees the problem every day in helping find shelter for the homeless who live on the streets of Waikiki: people who are down on their luck, hopeful for a job that will pay enough to enable them to afford a decent apartment, with children to support, and no family to help them ride out the tide of misfortune. The confluence of shrinking private and public funds and the rising cost of living have led to an increase in the numbers of persons and families forced out of suitable shelter to the outdoors.
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"Occupation: Housewife." Last office held: valedictorian of her sixth-grade class. The chief and only political strengths of the novice candidate for the highest office in the land were her innocence of politics and the moral symbolism of her name. In Spanish, Corazon means "heart"; to Filipinos, Aquino meant her husband, Benigno Aquino, the chief rival of President Ferdinand Marcos. When the February 7, 1986 snap election cast Marcos as the winner, real life drama unfolded on the international stage to protest. When Marcos called out troops, old women hugged armed militia while little girls offered flowers to the soldiers.
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No doubt there were some residents on Oahu on New Year's Eve who popped firecrackers simply because it would be the last time they would be able to do so legally. The City Council ordinance banning fireworks was long in the making. Over the years we have all heard the stories of the negative effects of our cultural reveling in fireworks. People suffered asthma attacks or other respiratory conditions. At times the thick smoke obscured clear views for drivers, which made driving dangerous. Booming bomb sounds severely frightened dogs and other house pets. The rubbish of red paper and wrappers were an eyesore and issue of neighborhood cleanliness. Firemen worked double time putting out fires causes by sparks from fireworks that landed and ignited houses, cars, and other property.
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I enjoy telling students on field trips here at the Capitol about all the exciting developments happening in Ewa, the fastest growing district on Oahu. I am also proud of the rich heritage of both the area I represent and its neighboring areas. Events of global and national significance, Native Hawaiian history, immigration patterns, by-gone commerce, and more all contribute to the colors and texture of the social fabric we know as West Oahu. Rich and abundant in historical sites from different periods, I believe the state should work with stakeholders to preserve these areas while promoting modern goals.
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My father was a 20-year Navy veteran. I was born at the Naval Base at Yokosuka, Japan. I am proud that my father, like so many others, served our country. I am equally proud that my eldest son is an officer in the Marine Corps.
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The Twenty-sixth Legislature with all of its newly elected and re-elected officials, will open on the third Wednesday in January 2011. With the economy as a key concern, one of the ideas I have for stimulating it is through creating an Office of Sports Development. The objective of the Office of Sports Development would be to attract and promote sporting events here in the islands, from amateur youth sports to professional, big stakes competitions.
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Bills introduced and passed by Senator Espero in the 2009-2010 legislative session include important transportation projects, new schools, and awards and honors for Senator Espero. View bills
Many years ago, my father retired from the U.S. Navy after a rewarding 21-year career that capitalized on his talents as a chef. His cooking skills gave him the privilege of preparing delicious meals for the military's top officials on his tours of duty. Our family followed my dad around the country and the world, as do many Navy families. I lived in Washington, California, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Cuba, Japan, and Italy.
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