Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
House Bill 1992 looks to be an unworkable workforce measure, seeking to study the feasibility of guaranteeing all Hawaii residents over age 18 a job in government.
Yes, having more hands to improve government operations sounds OK at first; inefficiency is a problem. But so is bloat. The state and counties employ more than 68,000 full-time workers who will draw taxpayer- funded pensions — and Hawaii ranks among the top five states with the highest percentage of government workers (almost 20 percent), according to U.S. Census figures. Unlimited hiring is a sure bet for more problems than solutions.
Filipino Community Center needs fresh start
There are lots of weddings held at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu. The arrangement the nonprofit had with its catering company, however, is anything but a love match.
The ornate structure was built 16 years ago and got some state support before launching on its self-sufficiency initiatives. But the centerpiece of that strategy, a contract with Creations in Catering, led from a modest net income to some devastating losses. The FilCom center filed for bankruptcy.
The community hopes the bankruptcy judge can broker a quick financial divorce. This marriage can’t be saved.
