Nice Sterling.  You hit on most of the high points of the low functioning government here in Hawaii.  We need change and there is little to nothing in our government that is going to do it.  The people need to stand up and speak out.  Not the "local way, " but the only way Hawaii will be able to survive continued taxation beyond personal means, unions that bully government into become even less efficient and the same old rhetoric with no action.  Local politics are so disgusting that most don't even vote anymore.  That's the wrong approach.  We need new leaders, a new outlook and a rejection of union mentality that cripples a government which is already slow and inefficient.  We need to start reversing the red tide.  Civil Beat can be a start to providing the real news.  Keep it coming!!