Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, December 5, 2019

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.


To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

ALMOST 500 SNAP RECIPIENTS IN HAWAIʻI are likely to be affected by new rules handed down by the federal government. Changes by the Trump administration to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called Food Stamps, would require able bodied recipients without children, 18-49 years of age, to work at least 80 hours a month or enroll in job training, for at least three months out of 36, to receive SNAP benefits for more than three months. The changes take effect April 1, 2020.
     Presently, states can extend SNAP benefits beyond three months if the area's unemployment rate is 20 percent higher than the national average. The changes remove that option unless the area has an unemployment rate that is at least six percent, about double the national rate of 3.6. Hawaiʻi's unemployment rate is about 2.7 percent statewide, but it is 3.6 percent in Hawaiʻi County, so anyone able-bodied and age 18-49, with no dependents, who is receiving an extension, may lose benefits.

     Said Hirono, "Every year, millions in our country go hungry. Instead of fixing this crisis, Donald Trump has rolled out a new rule that will take away #SNAP benefits for over 700,000 more Americans. As always with this administration, the cruelty is the point."

    U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told reporters the changes are meant to "restore the dignity of work to a sizable segment of our population and be respectful of the taxpayers who fund the program. Americans are generous people who believe it is their responsibility to help their fellow citizens when they encounter a difficult stretch. That's the commitment behind SNAP, but, like other welfare programs, it was never intended to be a way of life."

     Brandon Lipps, deputy undersecretary for USDA's Food Nutrition and Consumer Services, said about 688,000 people nationwide will lose access to food stamps. He said that this was an extension of Pres. Donald Trump's April 2018 executive order, "Reducing Poverty in America by Promoting Opportunity and Economic Mobility." The work requirement rule is expected to save the government $5.5 billion over five years, said Lipps.

CRAIG HIRAI WILL BE THE NEW STATE DIRECTOR OF DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET & FINANCE  if he is approved by the state Senate. His appointment by Gov. David Ige is effective Dec. 16. He would replace Neal Miyahira, who will return to his position as budget division administrator at the Department of Budget and Finance.

     Said Ige, "Craig's extensive experience and knowledge, along with his administrative skill set will serve our state well. I am elated that Craig has agreed to come onboard as a member of my cabinet. I would also like to thank Neal Miyahira for agreeing to temporarily serve as Budget and Finance director and for doing a fine job while we searched for a permanent candidate."

     Hirai has served as executive director of the Hawai‘i Housing Finance & Development Corporation (HHFDC), State of Hawai‘i since 2013. He is also the sole member of Craig K. Hirai, CPA, LLC. Previously, Hirai was a consultant (shareholder/director) at Bowen Hunsaker Hirai Consulting, Inc. and Bowen Hunsaker Hirai, Certified Public Accountants. In addition, Hirai has worked as a tax attorney in private practice.

     Hirai is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania(Wharton) where he earned an M.S. in accounting and an M.B.A. He went on to earn his J.D. at Hastings College of Law at the University of California San Francisco, and his LL.M – a Master of Laws (in taxation), a post-graduate law degree from New YorkUniversity.