Kevin Dayton is the former Capitol Bureau chief for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. He was formerly Capitol Bureau chief and Big Island Bureau chief for The Honolulu Advertiser, which was Hawaii’s largest circulation daily newspaper until it closed.
He also reported for the Hawaii Tribune-Herald in Hilo, the Honolulu bureau of the Associated Press, Sun Press weekly newspapers in Kaneohe, and the Tucson Citizen.
He also worked as an executive assistant and executive director for Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi, and is a former U.S. Army sergeant and infantry fire team leader.
He holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of Hawaii Manoa, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Arizona.
He and his wife Mahealani live in Hilo and have six children, five of them grown. They have been state-licensed foster parents since 2009.
Some lawmakers questioned the project, with one calling the maintenance costs a “nightmare.”
George Shimabuku, 84, is one of four Hawaii prisoners serving time in Arizona who died with the disease.
Ige’s chief of staff also suggests upping the “barrel tax” on fossil fuels to help balance the budget.
Inmates and staff at correctional facilities are being infected at a higher rate than anyone else.
The state Council on Revenues says Hawaii will collect $300 million more in taxes this year than previously projected.
Craig Hirai stressed that nothing is settled but dropped some hints about possible tax increases in a House Finance Committee hearing.
Peaceful protesters gathered outside the Hawaii Capitol to support the president and object to the pandemic response.
The Ige administration budget would also “eviscerate” state enforcement of anti-discrimination laws.
It is 16 days before the Legislature opens, but Gov. David Ige is still mulling the options.