Mostly Politics

Candidates And Their Chances

Dan Boylan — 2009-07-15T10:00:00-10:00

City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle announced last week that, should Mayor Mufi Hannemann run for governor in 2010, Carlisle would run for the two years left in Hannemann’s term.

How Liberals Celebrate 4th Of July

Dan Boylan — 2009-07-08T10:00:00-10:00

The Boylans spent the glorious Fourth of July on a Hoolauae Street lanai in Aiea, where we’ve spent if for three decades or so. The lanai belongs to Ned and Kamaile Shultz. The crowd includes various Wongs, Oyamas, Takesonos, Golds, Claffeys and assorted others.

HPD’s Newest Elite 17 Go On Patrol

Dan Boylan — 2009-07-01T10:00:00-10:00

I attended the 163rd police recruit class graduation last week at Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall. I’d never been to one before. I went this year because one of the new officers, Grant Mochizuki, graduated in history from the University of Hawaii-West Oahu.

Hawaii’s Looming Elder-care Crisis

Dan Boylan — 2009-06-24T10:00:01-10:00

For more than a year now, my wife, the high-strung Filipina, has been talking about her arthritic finger. In the morning, she’ll put down her newspaper, lean toward me on the couch, extend her hand and say, “Dad, look at my finger. It’s getting more crooked by the day.”

The Value Of Small Schools, Classes

Dan Boylan — 2009-06-17T10:00:00-10:00

The Department of Education locked the doors at Wailupe Valley Elementary School last week. It had to be done. Wailupe Valley’s enrollment had fallen to 75 students, and the cost of educating each of its students was twice that at a school just a mile down the road.

In A Crisis, We Need Real Leaders

Dan Boylan — 2009-06-10T10:00:00-10:00

Didn’t you just love it: the quality of leadership, the mature judgment, the measured words? Last Monday Gov. Linda Lingle, in tones funereal, announced that she would balance Hawaii’s $730 million budget shortfall out of the wallets of state workers.

Getting Serious About Energy

Dan Boylan — 2009-06-03T10:00:00-10:00

This coming Saturday will be Hawaii Clean Energy Day on the Manoa campus of the University of Hawaii. There will be a keynote speech by Christine Ervin, a former assistant secretary of energy in President Clinton’s administration, panels including many of the leaders in Hawaii’s clean energy initiative, and various exhibits.

Worried About The GOP’s Future

Dan Boylan — 2009-05-27T10:00:00-10:00

I’m worried about the future of the Republican Party. Oh, I know, it’s hard to believe that a lopsided liberal like me would fret about the plight of the GOP. And I suppose I’m not fretting. After all that Newt Gingrich, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and the Republican congresses have wrought these last 15 years,

Hoping To Avoid Another Dobelle

Dan Boylan — 2009-05-20T10:00:01-10:00

Poor Marcy Greenwood. Poor Robert Jones. They’re the last two presidential candidates still standing from a group of 14 finalists in the University of Hawaii’s search for a successor to David McClain.

Lingle Vetoes Just Political Theatre

Dan Boylan — 2009-05-13T10:00:00-10:00

This column is about political theatre. But before I get to that, allow me to get personal.