Hawaiian gets OK for service to Japan
HONOLULU - Hawaiian Airlines has received authorization from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to operate new international service to Japan.
The carrier disclosed the development Thursday as it announced the start of ticket sales for its new daily nonstop flights between Honolulu International Airport and Tokyo's Haneda International Airport.
Hawaiian's inaugural flight from Honolulu to Haneda will be Nov. 17, with the inaugural departure from Haneda to Honolulu taking place Nov. 19.
Hawaiian is the only U.S. carrier offering flights between Haneda and Hawaii.
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Akaka opposes GOP call for hiring freeze
HONOLULU - Hawaii Sen. Daniel Akaka has come out against a Republican proposal to impose a federal hiring freeze.
The veteran island Democrat said Friday in a Washington news release that such a move would wind up costing the government more over the long run by increasing reliance on contractors whose work would not be capped.
Akaka said the proposal would sacrifice the nation's long-term investment in the employees needed to efficiently and effectively run government programs for a shortsighted approach that does nothing to address current fiscal challenges.
The proposal is part of the ''Pledge to America,'' which was announced this week by House Republicans.
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HUD tells state to stop using two laws
HONOLULU - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has told the state to stop applying two laws enacted by the Legislature over Gov. Linda Lingle's vetoes.
Lingle on Friday said HUD has determined the laws violate federal housing and development rules and should not be used to procure contracts that use HUD Community Planning and Development funds.
Act 68 mandates 80 percent of the work force on public construction projects must be local residents. Act 17 favors bidders who have apprenticeship programs.
HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development director, Mark Chandler, announced Sept. 16 that the two laws impose ''preferences in violation of HUD procurement regulations.''
Lingle is urging the Legislature to repeal the two laws.
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Djou, Hirono split on tax credit vote
HONOLULU - U.S. Reps Charles Djou and Mazie Hirono, of Hawaii, split on legislation that is aimed at helping struggling small businesses with easier credit and other incentives to expand and hire new workers.
Djou opposed and Hirono supported the bill, which the House approved Thursday on a 237-187 vote. It was sent to President Barack Obama for an expected signature.
Djou said the measure deepens the nation's debt and provides no long-term incentives to create jobs. He also claims a provision will result in government ownership of businesses.
Hirono said it will prod banks to lend to more small firms, increase access to Small Business Administration loans, allow more tax write-offs for equipment investments and reduce small business taxes.
