Economic Analysis of Hawaii Essays - Hawaii, Unemployment, Recession

Economic Analysis of Hawaii Essays - Hawaii, Unemployment, Recession Economic Analysis of Hawaii Business Economic Analysis of Hawaii Hawaii, with an area of 28,313 sq. km (10,932 sq. mi.), is the 43rd largest state in the U.S.; 6.9% of the land is owned by the federal government. It consists mainly of the Hawaiian Islands, eight main islands and 124 islets, reefs, and shoals. The major islands in order of size are Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Nihau, and Kahoolawe. Population growth has increased by 80,000 persons over the past five years. Demographics show a large number of Hispanic origin: Asian Hispanics are the most populated with white Hispanic and Asian non-Hispanic following. Hawaii's economy has been long dominated by plantation agriculture and military spending. As agriculture has declined in importance, the economy has diversified to encompass a large tourist business and a growing manufacturing industry. Hawaii's economy has changed drastically since statehood. In 1958, defense, sugar, and pineapple were the primary economic activities, accounting for 40% of Gross State Product (GSP). In contrast, visitor-related expenditures stood at just over 4% of Hawaii's GSP prior to statehood. Today the positions are reversed; sugar and pineapple constitute about 1% of GSP, defense accounts for just under 11%, while visitor-related spending comes close to 24% of Hawaii's GSP. The movement toward a service- and trade-based economy becomes even more apparent when considering the distribution of Hawaii's jobs across sectors. The share of the economy's jobs accounted for by manufacturing and agriculture have declined steadily since 1959 and each currently makes up less than 4% of total jobs in the economy. At the same time, the shares of jobs in wholesale and retail trade and in services have risen, standing at about 23% and 28%, respectively. Since 1991, Hawaii's economy has suffered from rising rates of unemployment . This stands in marked contrast to the period 1980 to 1993, when the state enjoyed very low unemployment rates relative to the nation as a whole. But by 1994 the recession had raised Hawaii's unemployment rate to the national average (6.1%) for the first time in 15 years. In 1995, the state's unemployment rate improved slightly in the first eleven months of the year to 5.4 percent, a 0.6 percentage point decline from the first eleven months of 1994. Despite the lower unemployment rate, the total number of wage and salary jobs declined by 0.6 percent during the first eleven months of 1995. This was due in part to a fall in part-time jobs which are often held by persons who also have primary jobs elsewhere in the economy. The number of construction jobs declined by more than 7 percent in the same period. Other industriesnamely, manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, communications/utilities, and finance, insurance, and real estateexperienced declines in the number of jobs as well. Jobs in retail trade and services, however, increased 2.2 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively, reflecting an increase in visitor spending since 1994. Following a dismal first quarter due to the Kobe earthquake, there was steady growth in the tourism sector in 1995 with increases in the number of visitor arrivals and hotel room rates. The number of visitor arrivals to the State increased 3.2 percent during the first eleven months of 1995. The increase in the value of the Japanese yen vis-a-vis the U.S. dollar during this period contributed to a rise in eastbound visitors in the second and third quarter of 1995 by 11.8 percent and 15.4 percent, respectively. However, in the first eleven months of 1995, the number of westbound visitors remained flat. This year is the 11th year in a row that the U.S. has experienced reduced spending on national defense. The continued reduction is due to the decline in superpower tensions and the political disintegration of the Soviet and East European-block during this decade which have prompted the Congress and Administration to initiate significant cuts in the level of defense expenditures in recent years. However, because of the strategic location of Hawaii in the Pacific this changing military posture has not significantly affected Hawaii's $3.7 billion Federal defense sector. The construction industry continued its decline in the first eleven months of 1995. This loss was mainly due to decreasing demand exacerbated by higher interest rates during the first half of 1995, following a 12.4 percent drop in 1994. Another reason is that construction costs rose by 15 percent from 1992 to 1995, which is much higher than the consumer inflation rate of 8 percent during the same period. Agriculture jobs, including self-employed, showed a 6.6 percent decline in the first eleven months of 1995 from the same period in 1994. In

Current Issue in Federalism

Current Issue in Federalism Throughout the world’s history, conflicts have emerged on how to unite state and federal powers within one system of governance. To date, several controversies indicate how these conflicts continue. This paper examines the current federal issue of the same-sex marriage, its pros and cons, and my own opinion regarding the best power division.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Current Issue in Federalism specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Same-sex marriage was once a concern for individual states, but currently it is emerging as a federal issue. This has triggered the debate to shift from the state courts and legislatures to the federal courts with the interest groups looking for the best platform to present their case. Earlier, the federal government was prohibited to legalize same-sex marriage by the Defense of Marriage Act. In addition, state governments were also included. However, as from 2004, states began leg alizing it. Relative to the advantages, federal involvement on same-sex marriage can promote individualism. This will help with accommodation of interests of the bigger majority like culture, style, or language (Bond Smith, p. 76). However, state government is better placed to enhance policy positions that are specific to its area and needs of its constituents. On the other hand, federal government formulates policies that cater for the majority in order to create a balance between the states. Next, it will allow for experimentation of various laws and policies across different states. In regard to the disadvantages, federal government involvement in the same-sex marriage has contributed to various challenges. First and foremost, conflicts have erupted between states due to different policies pertaining same-sex marriage (Bond Smith, p. 86). Different states develop their own individual customs and culture pertaining to same-sex marriage. Every time one crosses a state boundary he or she is bound by different laws and policies. Therefore, it is challenging for the federal government to come up with a strong policy as the states are often divided on the issue. Secondly, this has an adverse effect on the economy.Advertising Looking for essay on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The central government is responsible for handling the overall economy although each state has its unique economy. Same-sex marriage faces huge economic disparities, as opposed to heterosexual marriages. Same-sex couples are not legitimately recognized as married couples. In this case, they are not entitled to some of the states’ or federal government benefits such as exemption from taxes like the heterosexual couples. For instance, a heterosexual spouse is not subjected to taxation in inheritance cases from his or her deceased partner whereas a same-sex couple is subjected taxation. Furthermore, federalism has led to the growth of inequality mostly among the minority groups. This leads to mental problems such as stress due to stigmatization. Studies from various states prohibiting same-sex marriages have revealed that the majority of same-sex couples exhibited mental heath problems. This was attributed to minority stress resulting from stigmatization of the minority groups and psychological distress. Moreover, the negative campaign associated with its ban is what increased the stress. Apart from the mental health problem, the ban on same-sex marriage leads to other physical health problems. For instance, its ban is said to have triggered an increase in HIV infection in some states. Finally, the division of power between federal and state government based on confederation is the best. In this case, the federal government receives direct grant power from the states government, but not from the citizens (Bond Smith, p. 73). This would allow for optimum resource utilization a nd formulation of policies. As mentioned, state government is better placed to handle local needs. Thus, the federal government would be best suited for international issues and defense. Bond, Jon R. K.B. Smith. The Promise and Performance of American Democracy. Belmont, CA: Thomson Higher Education, 2008. Print.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Current Issue in Federalism specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More

Business Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 9

Business Plan - Essay Example Not to forget, the nearby Town Park, which is visited by several people for picnics and relaxation, the restaurant will come in handy for such. To counter stiff competition from adjacent restaurants, I will ensure pocket friendly service dissemination. Financially, I estimate to have a starting capital of $ 40, 000. I already have $ 10,000 and hoping to get the rest from you. I am sure to get an annual profit of $ 20,000 thus no problem in repaying the loan. Red Chilly is a yet to be new eating parlor in town. It is well certain that it will offer the best quality of meals. To add to that, it will also provide a source of refreshment zone, particularly in the afternoons and evenings after school and work. With the need arising for decongesting major eating and meeting zones in town, we have decided to set up a new zone with better quality services destined at creating a home kitchen in town at pocket-friendly price. Food will be prepared in the kitchen behind the dining hall on a daily basis so as to enhance quality and freshness of food. To show its versatility, the premise will also offer both takeaways and sit in places for meal consumption. Red Chilly also has the health of its customers at hand. This is so by intending to provide free fruit salad that will accompany every meal. The eating parlor is strategically placed so as to accommodate many office workers at their respective lunch breaks and also school attending individuals at lunch break too. A site down the alley not frequented by heavy traffic and commotion has been set aside for the premise. On a third floor building making use of all the passing by breeze, customers will be able to enjoy a full ray of the city by catching a glimpse of the outside through the serene blue-tinted glass wall. The company will be located in Finlay Town, Yorkshire County. Red Chilly will have a manager and several members of staff.

Current Event Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Current Event - Research Paper Example -related hooded sweatshirt and â€Å"up to no good.† Although not all specific facts of this case are known and may never be, enough evidence has been presented to make some rational conclusions. The general public was not aware of Martin’s killing for a week after it happened. The story didn’t go national for another week. Since then, the media frenzy has focused on three basic questions; who started the fight, did Zimmerman fear for his life and how impartial were Stanford, Florida law enforcement officials in response to this case? The mainstream news coverage, though very thorough, has not been able to or hasn’t ventured to answer these important questions conclusively. To answer the impartiality question theorize if the police, prosecutors and local press would have reacted differently if the races were reversed. Yes. No hesitation in anyone’s mind, not even among the right-wing media. The answers to the other two questions are almost if not as certain. Much depends on what Zimmerman did after the dispatcher told him â€Å"we don’t need you to do that† instructing him not to follow Martin. Zimmerman responded â€Å"ok† bu t what did he do? The unelected, unofficial self-appointed neighborhood â€Å"watchman† continued to follow Martin who was on the phone with his girlfriend well after the directive for Zimmerman to stop. Had he followed that directive, Martin would not have died that night. As for feeling threatened, it was Martin who was being pursued. He was fearful for his safety and may or may not have reacted physically as he was approached by a stranger in the dark. One of the last things Martin’s girlfriend hears before the phone and her boyfriend went dead was him saying â€Å"why are you following me?† Good question for local police and the prosecuting attorney. Zimmerman is hanging his hopes of not being hung on Florida’s â€Å"stand your ground† law. If he can prove self defense he is set free which is, by the grace of skin tone, his

What Is a Worldview Essay Example for Free

What Is a Worldview Essay John Lennon of The Beatles once said, â€Å"I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something found in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It’s just that the translations have gone wrong.† This quote can be picked apart and gone over time and time again, and every time we could say it means something completely different. I wholeheartedly agree with what John Lennon said in this quote; he was a smart man, although he was uneducated. I would like to educate myself, as much as possible, while writing this paper as to know what I am speaking about and why I am speaking about it. The world is a crazy place and right now I have no idea what to believe in. I am hoping that through the course of writing this essay I may be able to put my finger on my worldview. Ken Funk, professor at Oregon State University, states in his article, â€Å"What is a Worldview,† that a worldview is defined as, â€Å"The set of beliefs about fundamental aspects of Reality that ground and influence all of one’s perceiving, thinking, knowing, and doing.† Now, let me explore my cosmological, theological, and anthropological beliefs. First of all, let me explore my cosmic beliefs. The origin of the universe is unproven by God or science in a whole way. I would like to think that God created the Big Bang, therefore God created the universe. If God created the universe, then what is the origin of life? On this subject, I am certain that we, man, and all other life have evolved from amoeba. There may be different types of amoeba, but everything has evolved to where it is today, and will continue to evolve. This fact has been scientifically proven and reproduced in other ways. Secondly, I would like to explore my godly belief system. The fact that God or Gods exists or does not exist is a very touchy subject. I would like to believe there is a higher power, but have not seen any physical or scientific evidence of this for myself. I would need to see some physical proof before I could completely agree or disagree. There are good people and there are bad people in every religion and faith, no matter what their conviction is. This is why I have a hard time believing in God as most people know. The relationship between God and the material universe is also unproven, therefore hard for me to be certain of, as is the relationship of God and man. Third of all, let’s talk about my anthropological beliefs. This is also a sensitive subject in every sense of the word, yet easier for me to talk about. Man’s make-up is scientifically proven. We know how cells work, divide, and reproduce. The study of human anatomy could tell you that. Man’s place in the universe is right where it is, right here on Earth. We have free will because we are human, were created with a brain as it evolved from ameba, and because we know how to use our brains for good or evil; whichever we choose. Man’s responsibility here on Earth is to take care of our planet for the evolution of beings that are left to walk on it after we are dead and gone. We also have an obligation to save as much as we can so that the species after us can learn from our mistakes. Man’s nature is generally good, in my opinion. To conclude, there is still a lot to learn about origins, theology, and cosmology. I do not think that one person can state as a single fact that they are absolutely right about any of this. To end this paper the same way I began, a quote by John Lennon, â€Å"Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.† I agree with John, if we focus too much on the religion and origin of things we will not be able to enjoy life to the fullest. Worldview was a very difficult topic for me to comprehend!

Cultural Bias In Assessment Essays -- Persuasive Testing Education Ess

Cultural Bias In Assessment In the society of today, there are various educators who believe in assessment as proper method to measure the performance of a child in school as well as the overall achievement of a specific school system. The assessment may be presented in the form of verbal, written, or multiple choice, and it usually pertains to certain academic subjects in the school curriculum. Recently, many educators began to issue standardized tests to measure the intelligence of a common student body. (Rudner, 1989) These standardized tests were initially created to reveal the success in institutional school programs, and exhibit the abilities of students today. The standardized tests can reveal the strengths and weaknesses of a student as well as the admission into certain programs. The test results also assist various schools in determining the proper curriculum, evaluate a specific school system, or a particular school related program. There are numerous types of standardized tests in which educators choose to measure the academic level of students. The first common standardized test, the standardized achievement test, are used to measure how much knowledge students have retained from a particular subject. The results generally assist teachers in designing achievement programs in each subject area, such as reading, math language skills, spelling, or science. (Samuda, 1990) The second common standardized test is known as the Standardized aptitude tests. Instead of focusing on a particular academic subject, the aptitude tests measure a broad range of skills that would ensure success during the school career. The skills include daily activities such as verbal ability, mechanical ability, creativity, cleric... ...hoice questions on the SAT up to date. Women are able to do better on exams which do not require a specific time limit. The Talent Indentification Program, proved that women "performed significantly better under untimed conditions than under timed. In fact the young women performed as well as males or even better under untimed conditions." Although the tests have still been proven to be bias against women, the large amount of mulitiple choice questions as well as the timed tests still remain in todays society. Although standardized testing has been proven to be ineffective, the creators of the tests are still humans of different races. As a creator of the tests much be created to represent all races and ethnic backrounds. When considering the contents of the tests, people should be looked at as an individual and not placed uder a category with their race.

Extra Classes

Extra classes a waste of time and resources SOME schools extend schooling time to hold extra classes. The schools think that this will guarantee straight A’s students. I do not think so. After-school hours are for students to play games, join some social events or other beneficial activities. And the school holiday is a very crucial time for students because they can rest and indulge in their favourite pastimes like reading, playing outdoor games, travelling, etc, which they would not otherwise have the time for. All these activities are beneficial to them as they are in their growing years.Malaysia is a tropical country with a hot and humid climate and it is not conducive for students and teachers alike to study and teach in the hot afternoon. Extra classes are normally an extension of school hours, which make it very uncomfortable, and coupled with their tiredness make these lessons a waste of time and resources for both teachers and students. One thing about extra classes i s that control and supervision by the school authorities tend to be lax. And because of this, students often flout school rules by playing truant and bringing mobile phones to class.This then defeats the whole purpose of having tuition classes! So why have tuition classes? It is a waste of time and resources to parents and the school authorities, not to mention the desired end-results. Students should be committed to their studies when in school. Schools should develop each student’s talents according to his or her potential. That will effectively nurture students. Extra classes burdening and unnecessary? EF International Academy www. ef. com/academy More parents are sending their children, aged between 7 and 10, for private tuition.They cite competitive school environment, crowded classrooms and changing standards of language as reasons. But there are also perceptions that extra tuition places unnecessary stress on the child, writes Rozanna Latiff SHARON Lieu, a 36-year-old mother of three, sends her eldest daughter, aged 8, for Mathematics and English tuition twice a week. Even though Lieu does not believe that primary school children should be attending tuition classes, her daughter's struggle to catch up with her classmates had forced the matter. â€Å"In school, her class is so big that the teachers don't have time to help the few who cannot follow the lessons. Some have even told the students, ‘Ask your tuition teacher' when the child says they can't understand. † Lieu said she had little time to teach her daughter on her own as she was often busy with work and taking care of her younger children. â€Å"I wish that I did not have to send her for tuition, but it is the only way she will be able to keep up. â€Å"I think many parents feel the same way, especially as schools have become more competitive. † School authorities and parent groups generally agree that sending children under 10 years old for private tuition was unneces sary.Some, such as the National Collaborative Parent-Teacher Associations of Malaysia president Associate Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ali Hasan, believe that sending pupils for tuition too early could even be detrimental to their social development. â€Å"Children should be allowed time to play and learn at their own pace. â€Å"Putting too much pressure on them to succeed academically at an early age means that there will be less time for them to learn to socialise or communicate effectively with others. â€Å"Stress can also affect them emotionally. â€Å"Ali said the most important part of early education was learning the basic skills of reading, writing and counting, which weaker students can master under the education ministry's learning and numeracy (Linus) remedial programme. He said tuition should be a measure of last resort when the student is truly struggling with schoolwork. â€Å"It is crucial that they learn to read and count by Year Three. â€Å"But apart from that, paren ts should just let children be children. † Nevertheless, the Education Ministry believes that there is little to stop parents from sending their children to tuition outside school hours. Ultimately, it is the parents choice. â€Å"I'm not saying it is healthy, but parents just want the best for their children. â€Å"If they believe tuition is the way to go, then there is nothing to stop them,† deputy education minister Dr Puad Zarkashi said. Puad, however, remained sceptical on whether private tuition centres offered the best education for children. â€Å"The best kind of tuition allows the child to study one-on-one with the teacher. â€Å"But most centres usually have several students to one teacher. Some centres even crowd up to 40 students in one class. So, I don't believe they make much of a difference.Read more: Extra classes burdening and unnecessary? – Top News – New Straits Times http://www. nst. com. my/top-news/extra-classes-burdening-and-unne cessary-1. 52841#ixzz2IFQypuPW [pic]About EF Founded in 1965, EF Education First is the world's largest private education company. We offer language education for students and professionals in more than 50 countries. [pic]EF Research Unit at University of Cambridge EF has established a Research Unit at the University of Cambridge Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics to collaborate on fundamentally improving the way students learn English. EF International AcademyAdmissions Office Haldenstrasse 4 Luzern 6006 Switzerland Tel: +41 41 417 46 31 [pic]EF International Academy in New York, Oxford and Torbay are IB world schools. [pic]The EF schools in London, Cambridge, Oxford, Manchester, Brighton and Bournemouth are accredited by the British Council. [pic]The EF school in Torbay is accredited by the British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education [pic]The EF school in New York is a member of the American Association of Intensive English Programs. [ pic]EF International Academy schools are accredited by the University of Cambridge International Examinations Centre.