Awana quits as House majority floor leader Awana quits as House majority floor leader ADVERTISING HONOLULU — House Speaker Joseph Souki says Rep. Karen Awana has resigned as majority floor leader. Souki’s office said in a statement Friday Awana was
Awana quits as House majority floor leader
HONOLULU — House Speaker Joseph Souki says Rep. Karen Awana has resigned as majority floor leader.
Souki’s office said in a statement Friday Awana was resigning because she doesn’t want to distract from the important work of the House.
Hawaii News Now reported Thursday Awana is facing Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission fines for failing to account for 50 expenditures made by her campaign since 2011.
The television station reported the questionable purchases topped $6,000 and included meals at Pizza Hut and Denny’s.
Souki says he accepted the Waianae Coast Democrat’s resignation so she can focus on “rectifying her situation.”
Souki says he hopes they can move ahead so the House may name Awana to be chairwoman of the newly created culture, arts and international affairs committee when the new legislative session begins.
By wire sources
Inouye documentary shown on Japan-Hawaii flights
HONOLULU — A documentary chronicling the life of late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye is being shown on flights between Japan and his home state of Hawaii.
Japanese tire company Nitto Tire says in a news release that the documentary began showings Oct. 1 during flights operated by All Nippon Airways and Hawaiian Airlines.
A Hawaiian Airlines spokeswoman says the film is airing on its Japan-Honolulu flights.
Inouye died in December of respiratory complications. He was 88.
Inouye was a World War II hero who broke racial barriers on Capitol Hill. He ascended to president pro tempore of the Senate, third in the line of presidential succession.
Nitto says the film titled “Journey to Washington” follows Inouye’s path and includes interviews with him. The documentary shares a title with Inouye’s 1967 book.
Pearl Harbor workers may go back to work
HONOLULU — Pearl Harbor Shipyard workers sidelined by the federal government shutdown may soon be back on the job.
Hawaii News Now reported Saturday a spokeswoman for an employees’ union says workers could return by Monday.
Rep. Colleen Hanabusa also released a statement, saying it was her understanding that U.S. Defense Department civilian workers will be able to go back to work.
Officials say nearly 3,000 shipyard workers were furloughed by the partial shutdown.
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Saturday the Pay Our Military Act permits the Pentagon to get rid of furloughs for employees who “contribute to the morale, well-being, capabilities and readiness of service members.”
Hagel says he expects the number of furloughs for civilian employees to drop once military departments bring back workers who fit those categories.
By wire sources
