Study ranks isles low in freedom

Things like Hawaii’s gun control laws, relatively high taxes and regulation of private schools are among the factors cited in a study that gave the state a low ranking in the areas of "economic and personal freedom."

Hawaii ranked 47th our of 50 states on a list compiled by the Mercatus Center, a policy institute at George Mason University that advocates for deregulation and is funded by Koch Industries, one of the largest privately owned companies in the United States.

The Mercatus Center billed the study released Monday as a "comprehensive look at states’ public policies that affect individual freedom in economic, social and personal areas."

The study concluded that politically conservative and moderate states tend to be the "most free." States with the most freedom, as measured by the Mercatus Center, "have better stability, higher income growth and attract more people," said Jason Sorens, one of the co-authors of the report.

The study recommended that Hawaii eliminate a requirement that government must approve the creation of private schools, enact laws allowing same-sex partnerships and reform its eminent-domain laws.

Barbour to head Natural Energy Lab

Gregory Barbour has been named executive director of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority on Hawaii island’s Kona Coast.

Barbour will assume responsibility for the management of the 870-acre ocean science and technology park in mid-June.

His career includes 27 years in state planning and management experience. Most recently he spent seven years as the state’s Foreign Trade Zone administrator.

"We are excited about having Mr. Barbour as the executive director of one of our most successful and pioneering ventures," said Richard Lim, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. "We are confident Greg has both the vision and experience in business incubation to take NELHA into new technology-based ventures that will make Hawaii a world-class competitor in the future."

Isle firm gets $62.7M military pact

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific awarded a $62.7 million firm fixed-price contract Monday to Honolulu-based Nan Inc. for the construction of a new Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command facility at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The project is expected to be completed in July 2013.

The work to be performed includes the construction of a three-story building, which will provide an identification laboratory, administrative office spaces, training spaces and a warehouse. The project also includes various interior/exterior structure work and installation such as roofing, plumbing, air conditioning and ventilation, electrical work, landscaping and miscellaneous site improvements.

"This new facility will be a tremendous asset for us as we execute our very important mission of investigating, recovering, identifying and ultimately returning missing Americans from our nation’s past conflicts to their families," said Maj. Gen. Stephen Tom, commander, Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command.

Maui College to get $4.3M for job aid

The University of Hawaii will receive $4.3 million to continue a 14-year-old program that provides job training and educational opportunities to more than 800 residents each year who live in underserved, rural communities on Hawaii island, Kauai, Lanai, Maui and Molokai.

The $4.3 million was appropriated through an earmark requested by Sen. Daniel Inouye in the fiscal year 2010 federal budget and released to the University of Hawaii by the U.S. Department of Labor following a recent procurement action.

On the Move

The APEC 2011 Hawaii Host Committee has appointed Tim Johns as executive vice chairman, Randy Tanaka as chief operating officer and Jasmine Tso as director of marketing and promotions. Johns’ appointment is a volunteer position and will not affect his role and responsibilities as senior vice president of HMSA. Johns recently transitioned from president and CEO of Bishop Museum at the end of May. Johns has served as vice chairman of the Hawaii Host Committee since it was formed in 2010. Tanaka will continue in his role as assistant general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center but will be dedicated full time to the Hawaii Host Committee to serve as COO. Tso will support the marketing, communications and outreach committee, and the host committee’s contracted public relations agency in brand management and product development.

Ted McCrea has been appointed vice president branch operations manager at Territorial Savings Bank. McCrea has 38 years of banking experience, starting his career as a management trainee in 1973. He has been a branch manager at various branches at Territorial Savings Bank and became vice president operations officer in 2006.