Mel's Internet Universe Weblog

Kubo Confirmed to First Circuit

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:00 GMT

Former U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo was confirmed as Hawaii's newest First Circuit Court Judge yesterday in the State Senate. The vote was 24 to 1 in favor of Kubo, with 8 of the 24 Senators voting with "reservations". Senator Les Ihara was the lone "no" vote.

Links:

Near Unanimous Vote Gives Kubo Judgeship, StarBulletin.com
Kubo confirmed as judge with 24-1 vote, Honolulu Advertiser
Ed Kubo Confirmed as State Judge, HawaiiReporter.com
GM109 Status Sheet Nomination of Ed Kubo, Hawaii State Legislature

Photo above: Ed Kubo meets with the media shortly after his confirmation vote. Below: Ed Kubo supporters attended yesterday's Senate floor session.

Ed Kubo Confirmation Vote Today

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:10 GMT

Last Friday, Third Circuit Court nominee Ed Kubo (left) engaged in a short conversation with Senator Brian Taniguchi, chair of the Judiciary committee during a break in that day's floor session, which saw the postponement of the vote until today. Early news reports indicate that Taniguchi who was opposed to Kubo's confirmation has now changed his mind and will vote in favor of the nominee.

Kubo's nomination is headed for a floor vote today at 9:30 a.m. in the State Senate chambers, State Capitol.

Supporters of former U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo sign waved outside the State Capitol yesterday.

Hawaii Political Platter

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:00 GMT

It was a standing ovation at the end of the House session last week after HB 444 was "postponed indefinitely". Funny how the news media only focused on the loss by the civil rights supporters... i.e. no photos in the paper of these people.

Former U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo's confirmation as the state's newest First Circuit Court judge is being held up to Wednesday, February 3.

POLITICAL STUFF AT YOUR STATE CAPITOL & ELSEWHERE

The Civil Unions bill died in the House on Friday, January 29 after that body voted to "postpone indefinitely" further action on HB 444. Opponents declared a "temporary victory" in their tedious effort to save traditional marriage.

HB 444 has a remote possibility of being revived anytime during the current session if there is enough votes and political willpower among the supporters to do so. But since this is an election year, and the "white shirts" showed huge numbers, the notion at this time is that this will probably not happen.

Meanwhile over in the State Senate, controversy arose after the confirmation vote of former U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo to a judgeship in the First Circuit Court of Hawaii was delayed until this Wednesday, February 3. It seems someone high up in Senate leadership doesn't want Mr. Kubo to sit on the bench.

DCCA Director Lawrence Reifurth's nomination to the State Intermediate Court of Appeals was quickly voted upon in the Senate's Judiciary committee the day after the same committee deadlocked on Kubo.

State Senator Norman Sakamoto and 15 other Democrat senators have introduced a bill (SB 2437) to raise the General Excise Tax to fund education. Aren't our taxes high enough without raising it more? Want to fund more education? Why don't we get rid of the State Foundation of Culture and Arts. Get rid of the non-teaching positions within the State Department of Education. We don't need more taxes.

There are other bills that call for increases to the bottle tax and a new sugared drinks tax. Enough taxes!

Speaking of which... another Tax Day Tea Party is being scheduled for April 15. Mark your calendar.

Good to hear that Dr. Panos Prevedouros is planning to run for mayor again.

Lastly if you support traditional marriage you might want to call your legislators and ask them to hear any of the bills that puts the issue back to a public vote through a constitutional amendment and leaves the legislature out of it. Ask your legislator to give these bills a hearing.

How Senators Voted on HB 444

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:15 GMT

As most people know by now the State Senate passed HB 444 out on Friday, January 22. The bill if it becomes law, will allow for "civil unions". The version passed out of the Senate was amended late last year and is subject to further House action.

Representatives at the State House can either agree to the changes made in the Senate, or opt to disagree to those changes. If there is agreement, the bill goes to the Governor for her signature or a veto. If there is disagreement between both houses, the bill will go to conference committee.

The following 18 Senators voted in favor of HB 444 to allow same sex civil unions:

Roz Baker
Suzanne Chun Oakland
Kalani English
Carol Fukunaga
Brickwood Galueteria
Josh Green
Clayton Hee
Gary Hooser
David Ige
Les Ihara
Michelle Kidani
Russell Kokubun
Clarence Nishihara
Dwight Takamine
Brian Taniguchi
Jill Tokuda
Shan Tsutsui
Colleen Hanabusa

Seven Senators voted in opposition to HB 444.

Robert Bunda
Wil Espero
Mike Gabbard
Fred Hemmings
Donna Mercado Kim
Norman Sakamoto
Sam Slom

Links:

I am one of the many people who remain opposed to legalized civil union benefits. The list of those who opposed to bill will be republished this coming September, October and November. Remember in November. Vote.

Photo: The Senate gallery was packed with people from both sides of the controversial HB 444 issue.

HMS Corp Superferry Photos

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:30 GMT

The Hawaii Superferries are in good hands with the HMS Corporations as shown in this Flickr.com slide show series. The two ships, Alakai and Huakai are on assignment to Haiti for earthquake relief work.

Take a look at the slides. The Huakai has its own vehicle ramp. Otherwise it looks remarkably similar to its sister ship the Alakai. Only the Alakai saw service in Hawaii before being withdrawn after months of protests and court actions. The firm that ran the ferry went out of business.

HMS-Corp Photostream on Flickr