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Parade Rings in the Holiday Season

Hawaii consumers and taxpayers will end up being the big losers in the coming year after the General Excise Tax increase takes effect on January 1. Supporters of Oahu's fixed rail mass transit project will be rejoicing as this will supposed to fund nearly all of the projected $4 billion cost to build the thing. The cost estimates to construct rail have been placed at a new "low" of $3.6 and soar to the current $6 billion, depending on how far out the rail will go from West to East Honolulu.

State Representative Gene Ward and myself marched all the way down Lunalilo Home Road from Kamiloiki School to the Koko Marina Center at this past Saturday's annual Hawaii Kai Christmas Parade. The annual parade featuring a bevy of bands, beauty queens, community marching units, decorated vehicles, classic cars and Santa Claus, was sponsored by the Hawaii Kai Lion's Club. Grand Marshall for this year's parade was Tannya Joaquin, morning reporter and anchor for KHON TV News. Thousands came out for the parade which was held under scorching summer-like, clear sunny skies.