Millennium Moments
AS early as 1854, Kamehameha III was exploring the possibility of U.S. statehood for Hawaii. Seeds of statehood
The king agreed to talks about statehood, largely due to local problems and fears that the defenseless kingdom would fall to foreigners, according to "Modern Hawaii History" by Ann Rayson.
An annexation treaty outline did materialize that June - but met cool resistance in Washington, D.C., partly because Northern senators disliked the idea of adding another plantation -- and possibly, slave -- state to the union. When Kamehameha III died that December, and with successor Alexander Liholiho against a cession treaty, negotiations ended, Rayson said.
Ultimately, that incident and other rebellions would prove to be but delays of the inevitable: With awareness of Hawaii's strategic location in the global and military arena, Hawaii's monarchy would be overthrown. It became a U.S. territory and in 1959, Hawaii became America's 50th state.
Forecast on state
revenues going upBy Pat Omandam, Star-Bulletin The Council on Revenues next week is expected to raise its forecast on state revenues for the next several years, based on signs that Hawaii's overall economy is improving slightly."The council is upping its forecast by about a half percent each year for the next several years, so that's the good news," said Chairman Michael A. Sklarz. "The real question, in terms of tax revenues, is the effectiveness of the tax cuts and some of the other changes that have been made, and how that's going to translate to the bottom line of overall revenues."
Sklarz said a number of factors go into the forecast, which is set by the seven-member council. The panel held an informational meeting yesterday to review the economic data from its last quarterly forecast in May.
Among the signs the economy is improving is continued strong personal income growth, forecast at 3 percent for this year and next, Sklarz said. Economist Paul H. Brewbaker said there are more people employed in the state today than ever before.
Economists also are starting to see a turnaround from deflation toward inflation, and a recovery in construction.
The recovery of the Asian economy, in the meantime, has meant a stronger yen, which should increase spending by eastbound visitors, Sklarz said.
Sklarz said the council will likely revise its forecast for state revenues this fiscal year from a 1.6 percent decline to a 1.4 percent decline, an increase of about $6 million in revenues. Next fiscal year will actually be down -- from a May forecast of a 2.4 percent increase to 1.9 percent -- but that is due to depyramiding of the general excise tax on services.
Chinatown residents and businessmen wanted to address the Honolulu Liquor Commission about a trouble spot, but were put off. Chinatown group targets bar
In their sights was Paradise Lost bar at 24 N. Hotel St., which was before the commission on a liquor law violation.
Manager Walter Miller pleaded not guilty to the charge that the bar sold alcohol that was consumed off the premises. The hearing was postponed for two weeks because police witnesses were not able to attend yesterday.
The bar "accounted for 150 police complaints last year," said Robert Gerell, whose company owns several Chinatown sites, after the meeting.
Deputy Corporation Counsel Tony Chang said he had reservations about hearing from the Chinatown delegation, many of whom were involved in Mayor Jeremy Harris' task force on upgrading the area, in the context of the trial-like hearing on the charge.
Coast Guard finds boat suspected of smuggling
More than 75 people were aboard a disabled 140-foot vessel suspected of smuggling undocumented Asian migrants Wednesday after the Coast Guard responded to a distress call about 350 miles off Midway Island.The crew reported by radio they were low on food and water and needed medical attention after drifting for about a month.
A Coast Guard C-130 aircraft from Barbers Point located the vessel. Later, a team from the Coast Guard Cutter Kukui, out of Honolulu, went aboard. The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service is investigating.
Burst pipe clogs traffic on Kalanianaole Hwy.
A water main break in Wailupe closed two lanes of the Kalanianaole and clogged rush-hour traffic this morning.Crews planned to patch the broken pavement this morning, then following evening rush hour, determine whether the main needs to be replaced or repaired. Water to area residents should not be affected, officials said.
In other news
Rear Adm. Charles Kubic assumed command of the Pacific Division of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command and the Third Naval Construction Brigade today.
Corrections
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
By Ken Ige, Star-Bulletin
This is the apartment building on Helemano Military
Reservation where a 33-year-old Schofield Barracks
man was arrested last night in connection with the
slaying of his pregnant wife.
Husband held in fatal stabbing
A Schofield Barracks soldier is being held today suspected of killing his wife in the couple's apartment at Helemano Military Reservation.Military police were called to the couple's home in the 2000 block of Akoaakoa Court last night and found a pregnant 26-year-old woman stabbed to death, police said.
The couple had one minor child, but the military said it is not known if the child was there when the slaying occurred.
The suspect is a 33-year-old 25th Infantry Division soldier who apparently was not living with his wife at the time.
The military said the MPs were responding to reports of a domestic argument in the couple's second-floor apartment unit.
Today, the suspect was being held in a military jail.
The slaying is the eighth confirmed homicide this month on Oahu.
