Stimulus has yet to stimulate
County Council members expressed frustration Tuesday because money expected from the federal stimulus for Maui has so far been, uh, not too stimulating. According to a story in Wednesday’s Maui News, Maui County has been confirmed to receive $11.3 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The county has applied for 26 projects valued at $33.4 million. Maui County Managing Director Sheri Morrison told council members that the money confirmed so far will create the equivalent of about a dozen full-time jobs. In any event, a lot of the federal money is not yet available because many of the federal agencies in charge of issuing the grants have not formulated the rules and procedures for applying for them. So, the question becomes: Just when is the stimulus money going to arrive and what exactly is it expected to stimulate? Mind you, the $11.3 million confirmed doesn’t mean it has arrived yet.
» Full StoryIt’s reality, not a ‘flip-flop’
While we don’t usually respond to criticism, when a member of the Maui Island Plan accuses us of doing a “flip-flop” on the provisions in the draft about the visitor industry, we think there at least needs to be a clarification.
» Full StoryRemember those less fortunate
With Thanksgiving only a week away, it’s time for all of us to take stock of all we’ve been given and make attempts to share a bit of our good fortune with others.
» Full StoryPunishing public school students
U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan has weighed in on Hawaii’s Furlough Fridays and his assessment of the decision wasn’t very positive.
» Full StoryInnovation on energy front
The good news about Hawaii’s search for renewable energy sources just keeps coming.
» Full StoryGold standard is a good term
U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono wrote a piece on this page Wednesday that, frankly, scared the daylights out of us.
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