Hawaii news 2009

HONOLULU (AP) — The hard economic times brought on by the global recession continued to plague Hawaii during 2009.

Each week seemed to bring more bad news about layoffs, cutbacks, cancellations, unemployment and foreclosures. Drops in tourist numbers were reflected in falling tax revenues.

Hundreds of state workers lost their jobs as officials slashed payroll in order to cope with a nearly billion-dollar budget shortfall. Furlough Fridays entered the vernacular, with public school teachers and other state workers forced to stay home without pay.

But 2009 also had its uplifting moments that made headlines across the world.

Hawaii marked its 50th anniversary of statehood in August, and Pope Benedict XVI elevated Molokai's own Father Damien to sainthood in October.

The year began with President-elect Barack Obama and his family ending their Hawaiian vacation and returning to Washington, where the Honolulu native was sworn in as president.

January also saw Hawaii become the first state in the nation to switch from analog to digital TV broadcasts.

In February, the Pearl Harbor-based USS Port Royal ran aground on a reef off Honolulu International Airport. It took four tries over as many days to refloat the $1 billion warship that destroyed centuries-old coral colonies.

February's Pro Bowl ended a 30-year run at Aloha Stadium, with the 2010 game set for Miami. But in March, the Hawaii Tourism Authority accepted the NFL's offer to return the Pro Bowl to Aloha Stadium in 2011 and 2012.

Also in March, the state Senate rejected an effort to force a vote on same-sex civil unions, even though most senators claimed they supported such unions. And the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the federal government's apology for the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom didn't strip the state's right to sell or transfer 1.2 acres of former monarchy land.

In April, the University of Hawaii announced Jim Bolla was out as women's basketball coach. He had been under investigation for allegations of kicking one of his players in practice. The same month, UH men's volleyball head coach Mike Wilton coached his final match after 17 years.

In May, state officials announced Hawaii's first three cases of swine flu had been confirmed. Meanwhile, a military helicopter crashed at Wheeler Army Airfield during a test flight, killing both soldiers aboard.

Hawaii Superferry filed for bankruptcy in May, two months after a state Supreme Court ruling effectively shut it down. Meanwhile, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Lloyd King denied Mesa Air Group's attempt to acquire and use the name of Aloha Airlines for its interisland subsidiary go! airlines because of what he said was Mesa's role in Aloha's demise in 2008.

A consortium of U.S. and Canadian universities announced in July that it had decided to build the world's largest telescope in Hawaii. Thirty Meter Telescope Observatory Corp. picked Mauna Kea over Chile's Cerro Armazones mountain.

July also saw Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou visiting Hawaii. Later that month, Warriors football coach Greg McMackin received a 30-day suspension for making a homosexual slur while describing a Notre Dame chant.

M.R.C. Greenwood succeeded David McClain as the president of the University of Hawaii in August. And Hurricane Felicia threw a scare into Hawaii residents, but wound up reaching the state as a lowly tropical depression.

Public school teachers voted in September to accept furlough days as part of the state's plan to balance its budget. The first furlough Friday came Oct. 23.

Also in October, University of Hawaii women's volleyball coach Dave Shoji became just the second coach in NCAA history to attain 1,000 victories. The Rainbow Wahine went on to make it to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament, losing to Penn State, which would claim its third straight national title.

Maui Land & Pineapple Co. announced in November that it would cease pineapple operations by the end of the year. Also in November, Hawaii's Michelle Wie recorded her first LPGA Tour victory at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational.

In December, waves grew so large along Oahu's North Shore that the big wave surfing contest called "The Eddie" was held for the first time in five years. Former Hawaii coach June Jones returned to the islands, guiding SMU to the Hawaii Bowl, its first postseason game in 25 years.

The year is ending with now-President Barack Obama bringing his family back home to Hawaii for their Christmas vacation.

Meanwhile, 2009 saw the passing of former Lt. Gov. and Congressman Tom Gill; former state lawmakers Henry Takitani, Ted Mina and Stanley Hara; former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Herman Lum; former state Adjutant General Alexis Lum; Honolulu City Council members Barbara Marshall and Duke Bainum; University of Hawaii political science professor and a founder of the Green Party of Hawaii Ira Rohter; Merrie Monarch Festival co-founder George Naope; director, performer and choreographer Jim Hutchison; former state schools superintendent and former University of Hawaii women's athletic director Donnis Thompson; Honolulu Star-Bulletin editorial cartoonist Corky Trinidad; former Honolulu Star-Bulletin reporter and editor Phil Mayer; and a trio of well-known TV personalities — "Hawaii Five-0" cast member Harry Endo, "Fishing Tales" host Mike Sakamoto and legendary sportscaster Les Keiter.