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The feeling of glee — Hoeppner told attendees he was “overjoyed” and said later in a phone interview that he had been “jumping up and down for two days” — was tempered by others who lamented (know that it is impolitic not to mention) that the end of the Superferry would cost more than 200 people their jobs....

<p>The proposal that had been considered as part of the president's budget would require private insurance companies to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs in such cases. But the idea was unanimously opposed by the DAV and other leaders of the veterans community who were invited to the White House Monday to discuss the plan directly with President Obama. Veterans were again united in opposing the plan in a follow-up meeting with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel Wednesday.</p>

"VA's sacred duty is to care for veterans injured in honorable service to our nation, and the department should not turn to wounded warriors' private insurance to pay for combat injures. Under my Chairmanship, the Veterans' Affairs Committee will not advance any such legislation," said Akaka.

Hawaii Superferry yesterday announced it would start laying off its 236 employees after tomorrow's final sailing, as it appears more likely the company will leave the state for good. (WHY? Here is the answer:) Hanabusa said the Senate also is not interested in revamping the state's environmental review law, known as Chapter 343, to ease the rules. Although the Legislature last year allocated money for a Legislative Reference Bureau study of the law, "we are not going to do anything to it piecemeal to help Hawaii Superferry. That's not going to happen."

Barack Obama: Born in Hawai`i Barack Obama: Red Diaper Baby What Barack Obama learned from the Communist Party The Frank Marshall Davis network in Hawaii (Obama and the “revolution of 1954”) Obama’s Sex Rebel Communist mentor Frank Marshall Davis (Honolulu Record columnist) Sex Rebel: Black (memoirs of a gash gourmet) by Obama mentor Frank Marshall Davis -- full text in pdf Obama’s Hawaii Democrat Party Connections Lehman Bros: Obama’s Rezko-Auchi Conflict of Interest Obama’s Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac connection Obama Tries to stall Iraq withdrawal Ayers: Obama’s ghostwriter? Obama’s War Obama's War on Black America Iraqi Billionaire threatens reporters investigating Obama-Rezko...

“After reading the alarming tract, I wanted to know whether Albertini -- who went to prison for a year (many years ago) for trying to block a Navy vessel in Hilo Harbor -- will be putting his life and/or freedom on the line along with the novice activists he is counseling. “The answer? No. Not only is Albertini not going to protest the Superferry, he claims he didn’t even know his “non-violent” call to arms was even published.

A fairly impressive internet industry has sprung up claiming that Obama was born in either Kenya or Indonesia. This is nonsense which distracts from the broadly unexplored story of Obama’s upbringing. This kind of nonsense has emerged because the McCain campaign chose not to raise the many questions about Barack Obama’s numerous hard-left alliances. Barack Obama was born in Hawaii, August 4, 1961 at Kapiolani Medical Center in Honolulu.

Gov. Linda Lingle told reporters this afternoon that she wanted to talk with the state attorney general's office and state lawmakers about the state's options, including whether to ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling on the law that allows Hawaii Superferry to operate without a complete environmental impact statement. "But we know from the beginning we were correct and accurate, did the right thing, and we've been able to provide a great service for the people of Maui and Oahu, one that they've come to appreciate and in some cases to depend upon, especially in the case of...

"It became apparent during our discussion today that the President intends to move forward with this unreasonable plan," said Commander David K. Rehbein of The American Legion. "He says he is looking to generate $540-million by this method, but refused to hear arguments about the moral and government-avowed obligations that would be compromised by it."

"We want to turn the focus away from civil unions and focus instead on the needs of the people of the state of Hawai'i," said former state Rep. Dennis Arakaki (D-Kalihi), interim head of the Hawai'i Family Forum. "It's more of a distraction from the real issues," Arakaki said. "Obviously the economy should be No. 1, but we're also concerned with cuts in services and programs...."

At one point, Noa said, “I’m not making this stuff up” to chuckles from the pro-sovereignty crowd filling Council Chambers.... On the 10th anniversary of his country’s (sic) declaration of its reinstated sovereignty, the elected (sic) prime minister (sic) of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i on Friday requested that the Kaua‘i County Council officially acknowledge and recognize Hawai‘i’s right to exist as an independent nation. Prime Minister Henry Noa said in an hour-long presentation at the council’s regular meeting, which had been rescheduled from Wednesday due to some members being in Washington, D.C., that he has made the same proposal to...

Malia Gray, legislative office manager for Rep Lynn Finnegan, faced former Ron Paul Hawaii campaign leader Dan Douglass in the contest for County Chair. Both candidates recruited new Republican Party members and mobilized supporters for the event. Gray reported her team recruiting 300 new Republican Party members and identifying 20 Legislative candidates to run in 2010 during the last few weeks of campaigning.... The turnout impressed many veteran Republican leaders. Outgoing County Chair Tercia Ku said attendance was 10 times that of the previous convention.

When a woman gushes about being in Hawaii for her honeymoon, telling the entertainers "it must be fun working here," they respond sarcastically. "Yeah, it's great. They make us wear grass skirts," Armisen says. "We make $7 an hour. It's a dream job." Johnson tells one visitor: "It's a fun fact about Hawaii. Our biggest export is coffee. And our biggest import is fat white tourists!" He later deliberately knocks over the drinks of a customer who points to the flower lei around his neck and makes a lame joke about getting "lei-ed." But others in the islands are laughing,...

In observance of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Hawai‘i Admission Act, both houses of the Hawai‘i State Legislature will convene a joint session in the State Capitol House Chambers on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

When the case first began less than three years ago, the School of Tantra Web site said, "Enjoy seven days of exotic erotic fun in paradise!" Lovell said. "So we said, 'Aha, this is still a violation of short-term rentals, once we say that they advertised to provide accommodations there." ... Now, they only offer the occasional classes, which often have sexual themes, or "therapy" sessions in rented community rooms or maybe while taking a hike ....

State Senate votes to abolish secret ballot for workers Wall Street Journal warns of broader consequences on ceded lands case Star-Bulletin covers Pali shootings case again 9-11 Troothers demand taxpayers fund Bob Jacobson's council re-run Proposed Hawaii budget would cut 374 state jobs to ease deficit Hawaii jobless rate hits a 25-year high and may get worse Mourners pay their respects to a slain teacher Maui: Ethics complaint dismissed Cock Fighting Gaff Ban Proposal Gets Reluctant Support in Hawaii Senate

Looking for happiness—it's family-friendly communities for some, tropical paradise or the rugged West for others. A survey of Americans' well-being, conducted by Gallup in partnership with Healthways and America's Health Insurance Plans, gives high marks to Utah, which boasts lots of outdoor recreation for its youthful population. Speaking of outdoor recreation, the islands of Hawaii took second place and Wyoming was third in the poll that rated such variables as mental, physical and economic health.

The only senator to verbally challenge Espero was Sen. Sam Slom, R-Hawaii Kai, who joked that this is the premier bill presented by the “criminal lobby.”

"They are low-lives," Charles Freeman writes of his dad's critics. "And if you're among them and by chance read this: I still want to punch you in the face. You'd deserve it, you schmucks."

(The accused Mafia killer) worked as a behavioral therapist at The Institute for Family Enrichment on the Big Island and, in mid-2003, was trying to find "seed money" to develop a product he had invented called Baby Cry No More, Motta testified. The device "simulated a mother's heartbeat" to calm the sleep of restive infants, Motta said. In the summer of 2003, Motta testified, a close friend and fellow inventor, Raymond Gomes Jr., called him asking for help. Gomes had a product called Shark Buster that he wanted to develop, but he also had a job working security on one...