BY SEN. SAM SLOM – JFK Anniversary. This Friday, November 22, is important. Has it really been 50 years since that terrible Friday when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated? Despite the Warren Commission, new documentaries, and state of the art technology, conspiracy or disbelief still abounds.
Those of us over 50 know exactly where we were and what we were doing that awful day.
JFK was not a particular political favorite of mine at the time, but he was our President and there was no denying his charisma and leadership ability (especially if you compare the man and the leadership then with the current occupant of the White House). And the more widespread respect for the Office. The entire Nation mourned and was together as one like no other time before, or until 9/11.
We should talk about these events to our children and grandchildren so they have a perspective they won’t get in school or from others. Each memory is unique and personal, but important.
One such lesson is that Americans are resilient and so is America, no matter what the challenge or event. We are so fortunate to live in such a free country and must continue to be vigilant to protect our liberty. That’s my personal lesson from the past 50 years. (Read my complete thoughts in HawaiiReporter.com).
Chisholm, Morihara at SUNRISE Tomorrow. How much is your company worth? Really worth? It’s not too late to reserve for tomorrow’s SBH SUNRISE Networking Breakfast forum, 7 -8:30 am to find out. The event will feature Erin Chisholm of Pacific Business Consultants and David Morihara of Morihara, Inc. discussing, “What is Your Company Worth in Today’s Market?” Contact Susan today at SBH (396-1724) for reservations. I hope to see you there.
2012 Jobless Rate Falsified. The Washington Post reported yesterday, what many said openly last year, that the unemployment rates were falsified in order to assist the re-election of President Obama last August-September (2012). As usual, the mainstream media slept through the manipulation.
Mayhem at UH (Wahine) Basketball Game. We’ve seen fist fights at University of Hawaii football or basketball games, but never before at a UH WOMEN’S basketball game. Until Sunday. Prior to the final ceremony awarding West Virginia the tournament title over host UH, a scuffle broke out. UH Athletic Director Ben Jay tried to intervene. According to Hawaii News Now, “a CT scan revealed transverse process fractures in Jay’s lumbar region (L1, L2, and L3) and bleeding around one of his kidneys. He was admitted to Straub Clinic and Hospital Monday night….”
Oh-Bummer-care: “Taxpayers have spent $200 million to establish the network for the Affordable Care Act in Hawaii – $53 million on just the Hawaii Health Connector web site development and management alone. However, so far, just 257 individuals have secured healthcare through the exchange. Some 113 employers submitted applications though the exchange, but have not yet selected plan.
While Hawaii Health Connector executives were hoping to reach a 300,000 enrollment over the next couple of years, and at least sign up the 100,000 people without any medical coverage in Hawaii, critics say the numbers have been dismal. The current cost breakdown is about $778,000 in federal funds for each individual who successfully signed up for healthcare.
Hawaii was the last state to successfully launch its online exchange after software glitches and a lack of data kept the site, Hawaiihealthconnector.com, from working properly for more than two weeks past the initial launch deadline of October 1. Individuals and small businesses without insurance must enroll by December 15 for coverage that begins January 1.
Meanwhile as many as 30,000 Hawaii residents with individual plans and 140,000 people under small business plans were scheduled to lose their insurance plans as of January 1. That is until Friday, when Hawaii Insurance Commissioner Gordon Ito asked Hawaii health insurance companies to continue offering plans that were going to be cancelled by the end of the year because they did not meet federal coverage requirements under the new Affordable Care Act mandates.” See the full report in Hawaii Reporter.com.
More Aid for the Philippines. As usual, Hawaii residents are opening their hearts and wallets to help those in need in the devastated Philippines. Hawaii Kai residents, Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Edhlund, no strangers to volunteer relief efforts, are at it again this weekend organizing medical supplies for victims and paying it forward with cash too. Edhlund is with Gentle Vets. Roy’s Restaurant pitched in for a fundraiser, as has many other organizations, including SBH. The big “Kokua for the Philippines,” will be held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel on Sunday, December 15, 12-5 pm. And then, there is that most recent tornado damage and death in Indiana, Illinois and the U,S. Midwest.
Kawamoto “Art” Auction this Saturday. This Saturday is the big day to bid on the famous sculptured art collection and more- of Genshiro Kawamoto. The estate auction-one of the largest in recent memory -will be held by Surfer Joe, Joe Teipel’s Auction Action in conjunction with Oahu Auctions.com from 8 a.m. all day at 46311 Kahala Ave. No minimum bid. 600 lots. A large crowd is anticipated.
Cavasso for Senate. Former State Legislator, businessman and farmer, Cam Cavasso, will formally launch his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in 2014, as a Republican this Saturday. The event will be held at the Cavasso Farm in Waimanalo, 1-4 pm. It will be fun, a BBQ, and Talk Story with Cam. See you there.
DJA 16K, So What? The Dow Jones Average (DJA) topped 16,000 for the first time ever this week. Who cares? The DJA is not reflecting a sound economy or healthy growth. It is only reflecting more printed and worthless paper money propping up the market by the Federal Reserve. Value is value, the DJA is not. Prepare for the bursting bubble.
OHA Movin’ On Up. The State Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is moving from Ka’kaako after leasing space for 21 years. OHA will relocate along Nimitz in the Gentry Pacific Center, which OHA bought last year. The cash rich agency will occupy 400,000 square feet in mid-December.
New UH Regent.
Ethics and Caldwell. The City Ethics Commission, headed by Chuck Totto, is at odds with Mayor Kirk Caldwell and his Administration. Totto alleges the Mayor is stonewalling and blocking the Ethics Commission from doing its work.
Hawaii Reporter.com, Hawaii’s first electronic daily newspaper launched in 2002, has all the breaking news and unlike other publications in town, is still free. Award winning Hawaii Reporter and Malia Zimmerman report daily (M-F) on the Rick Hamada Show heard on KHVH radio on 830 AM at 7:05 am. Malia will share the news behind the news.
Tune in to Panos Prevedouros.
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Mahalo!
I think you meant to say people over 60 remember JFK's death. I don't think most people who were two or three in 1963 remember what was going on.
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