Hawaiian Telcom’s Financial Advisors $2,527.38 Per Hour Work Draws Interest from Justice Department

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Damon

telcom1

The Justice Department is questioning why Lazard Freres & Co. is being paid $2,527.38 per hour for its work in Hawaiian Telcom Communications Inc.’s bankruptcy case.

For 237.4 hours of work between April 1 and June 30, the investment bank submitted a bill for $600,000, an amount the U.S. Trustee says “far exceeds” rates charged by other professionals working on the phone company’s Chapter 11 case…

Full article here: Fees Draw U.S. Trustee’s Ire In Hawaiian Telcom

Filed under: Economy, Legal, Technology | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

HGEA Oct. 20th Press Conference

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Damon

The Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO, is Hawaiis largest union with more than 44,000 members statewide. HGEA represents a diverse group of state and county government employees in seven bargaining units — blue-collar supervisors; white-collar employees; white-collar supervisors; educational officers; University of Hawaii administrative, professional and technical employees; registered professional nurses; and professional and scientific employees. HGEA also serves a large associate membership composed primarily of retirees; state and county employees excluded from collective bargaining (Managerial and Confidential Employees Chapter); and federal and private sector employees.

Part I:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbaLIMiVRDY&hl=en&fs=1&]

Part II:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVmKD_UMJzs&hl=en&fs=1&]

Part III

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swn5tP0H7lA&hl=en&fs=1&]

Filed under: Announcements, Economy, Hawaii, Lingle, State Affairs | Tagged: | Leave a comment »

DUI Sign Waving Project to Begin in Puna District

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Damon

DUI Car

Media Release:

The Hawai’i Police Department is teaming up with the Hawaiian Beaches Action Team to conduct sign-waving awareness projects about the dangers of both speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The sign wavers will be positioned next to a crashed car at various locations throughout the Puna District during the weeks leading up to the holiday season. They hope the smashed vehicle will have a sobering effect on motorists about the risks of unsafe driving. Many people don’t realize that it takes only two-to-three drinks to exceed Hawai’i’s legal alcohol limit of 0.08 percent.

Anyone interested in participating in the sign waving project may call Community Police Officer Sandor Finkey at 966-5835.

Filed under: Announcements, Big Island, Community, Education, Kids, Legal, Transportation | Tagged: | Leave a comment »

$1 Million + Estimated Cost for Traffic Signals at Kahakai and Ainaloa

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Damon

I just noticed from this Highway Audit Final Report that $600,000 is the estimated cost for a traffic signal at Ainaloa and H-130 Intersection, and $450,000 is the estimated cost for a traffic signal at Kahakai Blvd and H-130.  (Appendix D-2).

These are just listed as potential remedies for some of the interesections that have been exhibiting the most severe needs.

Filed under: Big Island, Education, Hawaii, Highway 130, Something New?, State Affairs, Transportation | Tagged: , , | Leave a comment »

Boys & Girls Clubs Furlough Friday Debut

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Damon
Media Release:

Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island is offering a Furlough Friday educational enhancement program called BE GREAT – BE SMART. The program is designed specifically to help students with any take-home work distributed for completion. Most of our members are already familiar with our Power Hour: Making Minutes Count after school homework assistance program offered Monday through Thursday. BE GREAT – BE SMART is a modification of that successful program.

The program is for youth K to 8th grade. The only fee associated with this program is a $10.00 annual Boys & Girls Club membership fee. Membership comes with additional benefits including active participation in club activities offered to youth 6 to 18 throughout the year.

Outline of BE GREAT – BE SMART program:

7:30 am – 8:30 am        Participant arrival
8:30 am – 9:15 am         Bell rings – youth join grade appropriate grouping for outline of the day. Math assignments completed
9:15 am – 10:00 am        Reading, writing, and language arts assignments completed
10:00 am – 10:20 am        Morning snack and recess
10:20 am – 11:00 am        Assignments in other subject areas
11:00 am – 11:45 am        Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) and healthy living curriculums
11:45 am – 12:00 pm        Prepare for lunch
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm        Lunch – pack your own
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm        Electives as established by each individual Club’s design. These will be developed around our core program areas: the Arts, Health and Life Skills, Education and Career, Citizenship and Leadership, Sports, Fitness and Recreation.
1:30 pm             BE GREAT – BE SMART program ends and after school program begins
5:30 pm            Clubs Close

All six clubs in Hilo, Kea’au, Pahoa, Pahala, Oceanview, and Hamakua continue to take registrations. Everyone will be accepted on a first come first serve basis so organizers urge parents in need to register their children as soon as possible. The Boys & Girls Club would like to help each and every registrant but due to limitations with facility or volunteers, there may be a waiting list in some clubs. Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to call 961-5536 x103.

Filed under: Announcements, Big Island, Community, Education, Hawaii, Kids, Lingle, State Affairs | 1 Comment »

Former Hawaii Resident Arrested for Making Coffee Naked

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Damon
Eric Williamson

Eric Williamson

A Springfield, Virginia man is facing an indecent exposure charge after a passerby spotted the man naked in his kitchen and reported it to police.

Eric Williamson, 29, is a commercial diver who grew up in Hawaii and rents home with several co-workers. Williamson told FOX 5’s Will Thomas his roommates were not home and he walked into the kitchen to make coffee about 5:30 a.m. Monday…

More Here: Man Charged After Making Coffee Naked

Filed under: Comedy, Hawaii, Legal | Tagged: , | 5 Comments »