News, notes and anecdotes
on government and politics
Stolen chicken trap
leaves legislator cluckingRep. Glenn Wakai (D, Moanalua Valley-Salt Lake) can no longer claim to be a "poli-chicken," a title he jokingly adopted after his early success at catching feral chickens in his neighborhood.
He was in a "fowl" mood after discovering someone had stolen the trap he used to catch the wild hens and roosters in his neighborhood, the source of numerous nuisance complaints from his constituents.
"I was miffed. But the trap was still a wise investment," he said.
Wakai bought the wire trap for $110 after smaller ones loaned to him by the Hawaiian Humane Society proved ineffective. He said he may buy another trap if residents express a need to silence chickens in the future.
Wakai caught 21 chickens, mostly in the middle part of Moanalua Valley, since becoming a bird catcher April 20. On June 10, he placed his trap near Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park. When he went to check on the trap two days later, it was gone.
Dems attend bill-signing
A dozen Democratic state lawmakers attended a bill-signing ceremony at the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs last week even though many were a little suspicious of Gov. Linda Lingle's invitation."I came because I had never been invited before," said Rep. Kirk Caldwell (D, Manoa Valley-McCully).
Ten Republican lawmakers also attended.
Lingle signed into law eight bills designed to make Hawaii more "business friendly."
Previously, Lingle invited only Republicans to bill-signing ceremonies. The Democrats were afraid the Republican governor was going to publicly criticize them for attempting to divert DCCA revenues into the general fund during the past legislative session.
Lingle offered no criticism. And while she bemoaned the Legislature's failure to approve any of her proposals aimed at reducing workers compensation insurance in Hawaii, Lingle refrained from assigning blame.
Republicans and Democrats seemed caught up in the euphoria of bipartisanship until some business leaders called to Lingle to pose for pictures with them and lawmakers.
"As long as it's not going into any Democrat brochure," Lingle said. "Let's not get carried away."
Legislature Directory
Legislature Bills & Hawaii Revised Statutes