Union reps, I suggest you come up with what is a fair cut in employee salaries and benefits, for example say 8%. (How much are legislators and judges willing to have their salaries reduced by?) Allow that reduction to go into effect for two years, after which period, increase the rate of pay by 8%, plus any cost of living increase --which will probably not be applicable unless the economy bounces back quickly.

In Today WHT’s “USA Weekend” magazine section (page 4) there is a “GreenSmart” article by Vicki Kriz about Eco-weddings.

The Hawaii County Charter is the County's equivalent of a Constitution. A Commission has been appointed to review the Charter. The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for this Friday June 5th. If you want to submit written comments to the Commission on any of the June 5 agenda items you are required to do so by noon tomorrow June 4th (unless you will be present at Friday's meeting to present in person testimony). There is a link to the Charter Commission in the right hand column of this website.

Governor Lingle intends to save $688 million over the next two years by reducing union employee salaries 13.8% by way of requiring state employee take three furlough days a month for the next two years (which amounts to a reduction in workdays of over one month per year). So sure hope you do not need help in any department that is already short personnel.... cause you may have a long wait.

Promoting Peace In the World: US to Islamic World First I want to commend President Obama’s current peace initiative with the Muslim world. To do otherwise only perpetuates the hatred between nations and races and religions that makes our world less safe for everyone. He plans to speak in Cairo on the subjects of respect for Islam, Palestinian Statehood, and the U.S. pull out from Iraq. I applaud him. SEE 6/1/09 WHT page 3A "Obama Seeks New Start with Muslim World" (only available in print and e-edition versions of WHT)

Little Red Fire Ants (LRFA) are Spreading Around the Island of Hawaii and Without a Massive Concerted Effort All Agriculture and Tourism Could Become the Topic of a Horror Movie.

As was anticipated, the Hawaii economy is continuing its domino effect downward. So what do we do now? Governor Lingle is pushing even deeper pay cuts from the unions as well as furlough days (meaning unpaid days off). Randy Perreira, Executive Director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association, is pushing for an increase in state excise taxes. Both of these suggestions are counterproductive in all but the very short term.