Panel seeks legal opinion on delaying special election

The state Elections Commission is asking Attorney General Mark Bennett to examine whether a special election to fill the remainder of U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie's term can be delayed until the regular primary election in September.

The panel voted yesterday to request a legal opinion from Bennett.

However, earlier this month Bennett told the Senate Ways and Means Committee that he believes holding the election in September would leave Hawaii without representation in Congress for too long a period.

He said an attempt to delay a special election would likely face a federal court challenge.

Abercrombie has said he will resign on Feb. 28 to devote attention to his campaign for governor.

Under state law, the earliest a special election could be held is May 1.

But the state Elections Office does not have the estimated $925,000 it would cost to conduct an all-mail election.

Gov. Linda Lingle plans to ask state lawmakers to pay for the special election with $1.3 million that was recently found when an accounting error was discovered.

HTA grant funds music fest preceding Na Hoku awards

The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts announced yesterday a new partnership with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and production company 4 Miles LLC to present the first annual Na Hoku o Hawaii Music Festival from May 27 to May 30 at the Hawaii Convention Center.

“;This project is not about promoting any one artist or art form,”; said 4 Miles partner Dawn Kaniaupio. “;It's about strengthening our industry and our cultural practices.”;

The four-day festival, which will feature a variety of music and cultural workshops in addition to daily concerts, will culminate with the first-ever HDTV broadcast of the 33rd annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards on May 30. Funding for the events was made possible by a $150,000 grant from the HTA.

“;To be able to take all of our musicians out globally with the music of Hawaii—I think it's huge for us as a state,”; said HTA vice president of tourism marketing David Uchiyama. “;It differentiates us from any other leisure destinations around the world and really showcases the talent we have here.”;

Obama taps HPD veteran to serve as U.S. marshal

President Barack Obama has nominated former Honolulu police Lt. Gervin K. Miyamoto to be the next U.S. marshal for Hawaii.

Miyamoto has been the law enforcement coordinator for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Honolulu since 1999.

He served 10 different assignments with the Honolulu Police Department from 1971 to 1999.

As a member of the Hawaii Air National Guard, Miyamoto served as its counterdrug coordinator from 1996 to 1999.