VOG THIS WEEK
Honolulu and the rest of the State of Hawaii have been plagued with a thick layer of volcanic vog again as the tradewinds subsided and the gray haze drifted over all of the islands. As most people know, vog is created by the debris kicked into the sky by the ongoing eruption of Kilauea volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. Normally the vog travels in a southerly direction, away from most of the state. However, when the winds change all of the stuff drifts over the state and becomes a hazy mess. Forecasts call for the vog to lift by Sunday or Monday.
HAZY REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
The Hawaii Republican Convention starts today at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort in Waikiki. There may be some heated debate, if allowed, on the recently aborted platform issue in which GOP members loyal to the Lingle status-quo shut down in late April.
The event will probably end up being a lackluster convention where the most accomplished will be to vote for delegates to the upcoming National Convention on the mainland late this summer. About the only possible excitement in this will be a proabable strong surge among supporters of Texas Congressman Ron Paul, who is still a candidate in the race despite Senator John McCain's immense lead in the delegate count.
Personally I am officially undecided on the McCain vs. Paul issue as the candidates I previous supported have fallen by the wayside a long time ago. It is more than likely that I will end up voting for the Republican presidential candidate in November over Barrack Obama, who seems to be the close choice for the Democrats.
Meanwhile the goal among the conservative leaning Republicans is to build the party and return it back to those core values that make being a Republican, Republican.
COUNCIL NOT HAZY ON STEEL RAIL
The Honolulu City Council's transportation committee chair killed a bill that would have put non-steel wheel alternatives back into consideration for discussion. Councilmember Nestor Garcia, chair of the committee, deferred the alternative technology bill yesterday in committee.
It looks like the steel wheel on steel rail favored by the majority of the Council and Mayor Mufi Hannemann will continue to be the only option left for consideration. The mayor is already plowing ahead with this thing.
Meanwhile the StopRailNow organization continues with its petition drive to get the rail question onto the November ballot. There is no volcanic haze in front of my eyes about my opposition to rail and the nasty tax increase perpetuated by Democrats and our Republican Governor on the Mufi train proposal. Time to stop the train is now!
