8-8-08 in Hawaii

It's August 8, 2008 or 8-8-08 or 8-8-8 in Hawaii and elsewhere in the world. Probably a compelling reason why I should add something to this blog.

In this entry, I'll summarize and update readers on a few current items.



Stop Rail Now: As noted previously, the Stop Rail Now petition was not accepted by the City Clerk's office on August 4. Two days ago the organization filed suit against the city to get the ballot question on the ballot for November 4. Stop Rail Now's attorney Earle Partington filed the lawsuit at Circuit Court. It is scheduled to be heard by Judge Sakamoto on August 14.

Honolulu City Council meanwhile is considering a bill that will allow the rail issue on the ballot. However one of their proposals may also add to the ballot the creation of a Mass Transit Authority that will have the power among other things, to condemn property and raise taxes without any accountability to the public. The proposed transit authority will be appointed and not elected by the people. This is what the current mayor and rail supporters want. The transit authority is a very bad idea. More taxes and seizure of private property to put up a rail line is very, very bad.



Kamehameha Schools Challenged: Once again the Kamehameha Schools trust, will and admission policy that gives preference to students of Hawaiian ancestry is under fire. A new lawsuit against the school's admission policy was filed this week on behalf of 4 non-Hawaiian students who tried to gain entry to the private school. Meanwhile the school itself filed a suit against another student which whom they settled out of court after an attorney not representing that student revealed that the settlement between the parties was at more than $7 million. This violated an apparent confidentiality agreement which was part of the settlement.

The courts will definitely be busy with these lawsuits in the coming months. Should Kamehameha Schools lose their right to follow the covenants of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop's will, it is quite possible that everyone else's private will and trust will be jeopardy to forced changes set upon by the courts.

The big news today will be the arrival of Democratic Party presidential candidate Barack Hussein Obama to Honolulu. He will be in Hawaii for several days on vacation and has already announced 2 public appearances in the state. A last minute rally and speech will be held later this afternoon at Keehi Lagoon Beach Park located near Honolulu International Airport shortly after he arrives. Next week the presidential candidate will be attending a $2,300 a-head fundraiser at the Kahala Hotel and Resort. Local media coverage of this visit will be extensive. I'm not excited. I only want to avoid the traffic mess that this visit (and possible ones in the future) will create.

Finally the 2008 Summer Olympics opens today in Beijing, China. TV coverage should be extensive on NBC owned and affiliated TV networks and channels. President George W. Bush is in China to attend the opening ceremonies today and a basketball game later this weekend. Hopefully the Chinese government can host this event without too much problems over the next few weeks. We'll see what happens.

All photos in this entry are taken by Mel and copyrighted. Unlawful to reproduce without author's permission.