The Star-Bulletin editorializes today against a Senate bill that would return to the days of secret meetings of public agencies by allowing members to meet privately and discuss pending official business as long as they represent less than a quorum and do not agree to vote a certain way.

But the editorial doesn’t identify the bill by number or provide links to its text or legislative history, making it difficult for any reader to follow-up. The Advertiser identifies the bill as SB 2174 (that link will take you to a summary page with links to the bill’s current status, text, and the Senate Committee Report from the Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

The Advertiser provides a useful list of significant measures alive or dead after the first major deadline, although this list also fails to provide links to further information.

Two websites about next year’s 50th anniversary of Hawaii Statehood have been launched, according to a press release distributed this weekend.

On March 12th 2008, Statehood Hawaii announces the launch of two websites commemorating the 50th anniversary of Hawai‘i’s statehood: StatehoodHawaii.org and Fifdififdi.com.

Forty–nine years ago, on March 12th 1959, Congress signed the Admission Act, an Act that President Eisenhower later signed on August 21, 1959 declaring Hawai‘i the 50th state.

The 50th state’s 50th year is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime commemorative event and the State of Hawai‘i, as well as other local businesses, cultural centers and Hawaiian
activists, are planning festivities and observances to be held throughout 2009. Statehood Hawaii, an independent company, seeks to help promote and cover these events with information, history, an events calendar, a social-networking platform with user-generated content such as videos, photos, music, blogs, and even user-designed commemorative merchandise.

Rep. Ron Paul is being touted as the only member of Congress to vote “No” this past week on HR 951, a resolution strongly backing Israel’s recent actions in Gaza and condemning rocket attacks on Israel. Hawaii Rep. Mazie Hirono recorded a vote in favor of the resolution, while Rep. Neil Abercrombie was one of four opposed to the reso who voted “Present”.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald this week noted the death of former mayor Bruce McCall.

Bruce C. McCall, the second mayor of Hawaii County and a delegate to the 1978 Hawaii Constitutional Convention, died Monday in California. He was 87.

Prior to becoming mayor, McCall served as managing director under Mayor Shunichi Kimura, who resigned in May 1974 to become a Third Circuit Court judge.

As the No. 2 county official, McCall served in a caretaker position until he was replaced by Herbert Matayoshi in December 1974 to fill the remaining two years of Kimura’s term. He was a Republican-turned-Democrat, but disavowed party politics and disliked being aligned with either party.

The description of his career is interesting in its portrayal of the easy movement between the plantation companies and the government on the Big Island, and was on “loan” from C. Brewer when he served as the county’s managing director.

Thanks to Star-Bulletin news editor Stephanie Kendrick for her excellent column today on dogs and dog owners. And thanks to Jeff Garland for pointing me to this YouTube video of Nola the piano playing cat. Our cats are obviously lacking in their arts and music education.

I was waiting around for Meda to finish searching through a small collectibles store yesterday. Just killing time. Then I noticed interesting shadow patters on the sidewalk, and when my own shadow appeared it was time to get out the camera.

By the way, Meda ended up with a small leather-lined Gucci bag that just fits her new iPod Touch. It cost her 75 cents. That’s why she keeps rummaging through the piles of junk for the occasional find.