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Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a grant exceeding $5.2 million to aid displaced airline workers in the 50th state.

Gas prices hit an average of $4.04 nationwide this month. The increase in fuel cost – and a corresponding in food prices – is adversely affecting a number of industries. But airlines are among those hardest hit. Several smaller airlines have gone out of business this year, while even the giants are struggling. United Airlines recently announced plans to layoff more than 1,600 employees. All major airlines are decreasing services to travelers and increasing prices. United and American Airlines recently announced that they will charge travelers $15 to check one bag, and an additional $50 to check a second bag, even on domestic flights. Northwest Airlines recently announced that it will eliminate snacks on all domestic flights. (more…)

Governor Linda Lingle recently signed a bill that will transform the state’s economy. According to the Governor, the STEM educational initiative will change the state’s economy from one based on land development to one based on innovation and highly skilled human capital.

At the same time, the Governor also approved a popular measure to reduce the unemployment insurance premiums paid by employers. With the state unemployment rate at about 2.5% for June, the Governor has opted to pass some of the savings on to businesses.

The Governor signed both bills in Lihu‘e at a Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce luncheon meeting. Governor Lingle originally ran on a platform of transforming Hawaii into a business-friendly environment. Prior to her election, there were allegations that the previous Governor used state agencies to punish rival business owners and political enemies.

The new STEM education law supports the Lingle Administration’s Hawaii Innovation Initiative. According to the Governor, this includes providing Hawaii students with world-class analytical and problem-solving skills developed through science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

“The programs established under this bill are part of a long-term effort to develop the innovation capacity of Hawaii’s workforce, particularly the younger generation, in order to successfully compete in the global economy,” said Governor Lingle. 

“These initiatives, especially the STEM-related programs, focus on creating life-long learning and skill-building opportunities for students, teachers and our existing labor force.”

This measure establishes career and technical programs in a variety of fields, including engineering, computing, robotics and project EAST (or Environmental and Spatial Technology). Projects will be offered jointly with the University of Hawaii, community colleges, the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) and private entities.  The bill appropriates $5 million for these programs in each of two fiscal years, 2008 and 2009.

This includes the establishment of STEM academies on Kauai, through a Hawaii Excellence through Science and Technology (HiEST) Academy pilot program that will be administered by Kauai Community College at two public schools.  The bill appropriates $522,040 and authorizes three positions at Kauai Community College to administer the program.  It also provides $53,460 to the state Department of Energy for a position to collaborate with the community college on establishing the HiEST pilot program.

The bill also creates the Fostering Inspiration and Relevance through Science and Technology or FIRST program within the University of Hawaii College of Engineering to focus on setting up project-based learning programs. FIRST is aimed at students in grades 4 through 8.  School participation in the FIRST program will be voluntary.  The bill establishes a FIRST teacher training program at the University of Hawaii to support the development of middle school teacher skills and knowledge and the formation of a middle school STEM curriculum. The middle school program will have an emphasis on wireless communications.  To implement the FIRST program, the measure appropriates $2.8 million and authorizes nine positions at the University of Hawaii.

The second bill culminates a three-year effort by Governor Lingle and her heir-apparent, Lt. Governor Aiona. The program will ease the unemployment insurance tax burden on Hawaii businesses.  The new law is truly a win/win situation that lowers the taxable wage base for unemployment insurance payments, while also increasing benefits for unemployed individuals. It will result in a net savings of $151 million over the next three years.

It’s hard to believe, but in 1999, under the previous Governor, businesses cited the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations as the major obstacle to business growth. It’s amazing how quickly things have changed in Governor Linda Lingle’s two terms in office. With all of these changes, Hawaii is certainly becoming a state that fosters strong relationships with business.

Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle recently announced two major changes to the state’s employment scene. The Governor recently appointed a new Interim Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, as well as an Executive Director of the State’s Office of Language Access.

Friday, Governor Lingle named Darwin Ching as Interim Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR.) The DLIR is Hawaii’s state equivalent of the state Department of Labor. Ching, an attorney from Honolulu, is a former Board of Education member.

Ching’s appointment comes in the wake of the Governor’s April 19, 2007 appointment of Serafin Colmenares as Executive Director of the Office of Language Access. Colmenares assumed his new duties on April 25.

Ching replaces Nelson Befitel, who asked not to be considered for appointment to a second term. Befitel, who was appointed in 2002, faced an uphill job of transforming the DLIR into an organization that didn’t treat the state’s employers as adversaries. Early in his tenure at DLIR, Befitel, a Filipino, was charged with “workplace violence” when he touched the arm of an uncooperative subordinate who made racist comments. According to news sources, the Governor invited Befitel to stay on, but he declined.

Ching’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the Hawaii State Senate when it reconvenes in January. He will assume duties at the DLIR effective August 6, 2007.

“I am pleased to have Darwin joining my cabinet to help build on our administration’s successful efforts to ensure the well-being of Hawaii’s workers and provide quality employment-related service to Hawaii residents and businesses,” Governor Lingle said.

“Darwin is a dedicated public servant who has demonstrated leadership throughout his 31-year career. His experience and commitment to improve out public education system was very evident during his term of service on the Board of Education. Darwin clearly understands the importance of preparing out future workforce to compete in the global marketplace, while continually upgrading the skills of our current workers.”

Ching served on the Board of Education from August 2005 until November 2006. He was appointed to the position by the governor, to fill a vacant Oahu-at-large seat. While a member of the Board of Education, Ching was chair for labor negotiations for the Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) Units 6 and 10. In that position, Ching was instrumental in negotiating an agreement between the BOE and the union.

The Hawaii Office of Language Access was created in 2006 under Governor Lingle’s leadership.  Hawaii is one of the most culturally diverse of all the U.S. states, a high percentage of voters speaking a language other than English at home. The purpose of the Office of Language Access is to ensure that citizens have access to government services in a language that they can understand. The Office is administratively attached to the DILR.

As Executive Director, Colemares is responsible for coordinating with state agencies and nonprofit organizations to render services on behalf of the state. This ensures that individuals with limited English proficiency have access to services.  This includes working with the various agencies to develop and implement plans to offer translation services to individuals who seek access to services, programs, or activities, as well as to translate vital documents. 

“As someone who immigrated to Hawaii, speaks several languages, and who has worked to help other immigrants assimilate and gain access to vital services, Serafin is ideally suited to head the Office of Language Access,” said Governor Lingle.  “As the Office of Language Access continues to take shape, Serafin’s background and personal experiences will be valuable in ensuring that no one in our state is denied access to basic services such as medical care and housing simply because they may not be proficient in English.”Colmenares previously worked as an evaluation analyst for the state’s Executive Office on Aging, which is attached to the Department of Health. Prior to that, he worked in other positions including Program Officer for Health at the Hawaii Community Foundation, bilingual health worker at the Lanakila Easy Access Project, job resource specialist and case manager with Catholic Charities Immigrant Services and interpreter with Bilingual Access Line of Helping Hands Hawaii.

The national unemployment figures for the United States are good. At the present time they stand at 1.9% for highly skilled workers, or those with a college education, and 4%  generally.

So why do we need a third generation of WIRED unemployment grants?

Well if you happen to live in certain regions, you will probably be able to answer this, as a few areas throughout the United States, have higher than average unemployment.

So, despite the state’s traditionally high employment rates, a Hawaii unemployment grant could be welcome news!

The third generation of WIRED grants was recently announced by US Secretary of Labor, Elaine L. Chao. And for all regions that wish to apply for a WIRED grant, the competition will be fierce. WIRED is the shortened way of referring to the Workforce Innovation in regional Economic Development Initiative.

Each state or territory governor was sent a letter from the Dept of Labor outlining how the regions should compete for the WIRED grants. Some of the points covered were as follows:

• Each governor can only submit up to two applications.
• Each application can be for up to $5 million.
• Each region that is applying, must show that they can match the investment by the Department of Labor.
• Sources of funding for the point above can come from private, regional or state sources.

In February 2006, thirteen regions were successful in their applications for WIRED grants. This resulted in those regions having the opportunity to completely transform their economies.

Although the competition for the WIRED grants is high, so are the rewards, and with such stakes, it brings together from many different organizations in an attempt to win one of the grants.

Secretary Chao made the point when she said that “WIRED brings together universities, businesses, community colleges, foundations and economic development organizations.”

Most employers have developed detailed plans for a number of threats, including terrorist activities, fire, flood and power outages. However, according to a recent Hawaii OSHA alert, your workplace should also have a plan for a global flu epidemic.

A recent Hawaii OSHA alert is stressing the need for such an alert. A new flu pandemic, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), could disrupt world economies and have an impact greater than any single terrorist attack.

What are the personal steps we can take? Many of them are the same precautions used now for seasonal flu. They involve obvious suggestions like staying home from school or work during your illness; covering your face when you sneeze or cough, while taking care to use a disposable tissue; washing your hands frequently, using a hand sanitizer; and staying at least 6 feet away from people who are infected.

Businesses should consider steps like scheduling conference calls rather than meetings, or encouraging work from home where possible. Such a plan could also limit public access to employees by installing drive-through windows. Contact between workers could be limited.

Seasonal flu can be dangerous to the elderly, to those with weak immune systems, or to small children. But normally, it is an event we consider more annoying than harmful. An influenza pandemic is another story. According to the Hawaii OSHA alert, when a new strain of the virus appears on the scene, immunity does not exist. The ailment passes rapidly from person to person, soon spreading around the world.

That’s what happened during the last major pandemic of influenza, from 1918-1920. It spread quickly, killing more than 50 million victims in a year and a half. The death toll included otherwise healthy young adults who died sometimes within days of coming down with the disease.