Hawaii ballot news
From Ballotpedia
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| Propositions • | Recall | • Law |
Here you'll find a collection of ballot news stories from Hawaii.
Hawaii county comission proposes 4-year terms
HAWAII COUNTY, Hawaii: Last Friday the Hawaii County Commission unanimously approved a proposal to amend the county council's terms. Currently, county council members are allowed to serve up to four two-year terms but the new proposal, if approved by voters in 2010, would change the terms served to a maximum of two four-year terms. Alapaki Nahale-a, who chaired an ad-hoc committee on the issue, said, "The council members need more time to see pools built and roads on the ground." Additionally, Nahale-a noted that county residents will also be voting on another ballot amendment that will make it easier for the public to file recall petitions. This, said Nahale-a will help balance the longer terms.[1][2]
Nader suit against state of Hawaii moving forward
HONOLULU, Hawaii: Ralph Nader's suit challenging Hawaii's ballot access laws will be heard by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Nader’s brief is due on October 13, 2009 and the state’s brief is due November 12, 2009. The case, Nader v Cronin, 08-16444, has been pending since 2004. Specifically, the case addresses whether the state should require six times as many signatures for an independent presidential candidate as it requires for an entire ballot-qualified party.[3]
Similar cases include:
- Ralph Nader v. Democratic National Committee
- Nader suit against state of Arizona to have its day in court
Council members review controversial Hawaiian taro ordinance
MAUI COUNTY, Hawaii: After listening to hours of testimony on June 29, 2009, Maui County council members could not come to consensus to push a proposed ordinance to full council hearings. The ordinance, which was introduced by Councilmember Bill Medeiros, would prohibit “genetically engineered and recombinant DNA taro” and make it unlawful for “any person to test, propagate, cultivate, raise, plant, grow, introduce, or release genetically engineered or recombinant DNA kalo” in Maui County. The ordinance also states that Hawaiian cultural identification with kalo, or taro, “will suffer irreparable harm,” citing a series of rationale; namely, "inadequate safeguards to prevent cross-contamination of crops."[4]
Committee Chairwoman Jo Anne Johnson reminded her colleagues that postponing a decision would be frustrating for members of the community. However, some members of the committee were in disagreement with the chairwoman.
"It is the duty of responsible elected officials to seek more information before making a decision,” said Councilmember Mike Molina, “I make no apologies.”
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