Hawaii: Supreme Court ruling on Superferry under fire

The state Supreme Court ruled last Monday that a law allowing Superferry to operate before completion of a related environmental study was unconstitutional because of being written specifically for Superferry. The court said the state Constitution prevents the Legislature from favoring a single entity. However, Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle announced she will ask the court to reconsider the decision which she regards as a mistake. Senate President Colleen Hanabusa thinks the Supreme Court overstepped its power in the case.

Source: Honolulu Advertiser; find article here>>.

Hawaii: smoking to be banned on Waikiki Beach

Legislation that would ban smoking on Waikiki Beach advanced in Hawaii Legislature Supporters say the bill could help boost tourism, while opponents say it will hinder an already struggling industry. "The beach is littered with cigarette butts, and this will make a statement that we want to keep one of our great resources litter-free. When you're on the beach and you're around children, this is not a good place to smoke to begin with," said state Rep. Tom Brower, who introduced the bill.

Source: Honolulu Advertiser; find Article here>>.

Hawaii: Aloha Pilots Seek Court Injunction

The Aloha Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l, (ALPA), filed a complaint in U.S. Bankruptcy Court today seeking injunctive relief against the airline. ALPA asserts that Aloha Airlines management's total disregard for pilots' collective bargaining agreement during the past few weeks has triggered a "major dispute" under the Railway Labor Act, which governs airline contract negotiations. ALPA seeks an order from the Court to force Aloha Airlines to comply with its contract.

ALPA will continue efforts to resolve the major dispute with management, but if no agreement is reached by 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2008, ALPA and the Aloha pilots may, after following all of ALPA's internal preliminary procedures, strike any or all of Aloha's operations.

Source: eTurboNews; read full article here>>.