Government & Politics
ASD’s eye on the people in state and local government making decisions that impact you where you live.
Some days, we report on the little things you see every day, such as road closures or park improvements. Other days, we look at the big plans from Hawai‘i's governor and its mayors. On the issues that matter to you — education, housing, health, homelessness, the cost of living in Hawai‘i, taxes and spending — we keep an eye on what the Hawai‘i state Legislature and county councilmembers are doing.
News
City compost program grows islandwide
Thousands of Oʻahu residents can now put food waste in their green compost carts, thanks to The City and County of Honolulu's expanded its GROW program.
Haley LehmanOctober 01, 2026
Former Congresswoman Pat Saiki dead at 96
Flags to fly at half-staff this weekend to honor the state's first Republican delegate
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 01, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: Limiting the wrong terms
It's an election year, and some people are running on the popular idea that legislators and Congress should have term limits to prevent lifers from working the system. ASD Editor in Chief A. Kam Napier argues this is a great idea, with the wrong target. What if it's actually the government workforce itself that needs a term limit?
A. Kam NapierOctober 01, 2026
Community Voices: Significant fuel shipments quietly head to Hawaiʻi under Jones Act waiver
Hawaiʻi has received four shipments of fuel from refineries along the U.S. Gulf Coast — something that hasn’t happened for at least two decades.
Keliʻi AkinaSeptember 30, 2026
A silent constitutional amendment for the courts
One of the things you'll be asked to decide as a voter in the general election is whether or not the State Constitution should be changed to give the state Senate more time to review people nominated to be judges. ASD political historian Perry Arrasmith explains how this got on the ballot and what the change could mean for the judicial system.
Perry ArrasmithSeptember 30, 2026
'Archives change lives': Archives Month kicks off this week
The Hawaiʻi State Archive kicks off American Archives Month on Thursday with a five-week long virtual program about Waikīkī. Aloha State Daily sat down with State Archivist Adam Jansen to learn more.
Haley LehmanSeptember 29, 2026
HCAN rings in 30 years with fundraiser, renewed future plans
Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network turns 30 this year and recently celebrated champions for children in the community and its work to provide local keiki and families what they need to succeed in the Islands at a decades-themed fundraising gala. At the event, HCAN Executive Director John-Paul Chaisson-Cárdenas also shared the organization’s path forward into the next decade.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 28, 2026
Community Voices: Dear Mr. Paxton, pay your taxes
Paxton owns some property on Maui, according to reporting from a university affiliated news organization in Texas and Maui County property records. And the trust that manages his island home hasn’t paid his taxes.
Tom YamachikaSeptember 27, 2026
$830,000 in debt forgiveness available for Hawai‘i residents after settlement
Multi-state settlement with Credit Acceptance Corp. offers Hawai‘i borrowers a piece of a $694 million pie
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 26, 2026
Punahou School senior earns Congressional Award Gold Medal
Jessica Lee, a senior at Punahou, was awarded the highest honor presented to young people by the U.S. Congress in August for her achievement in voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness and leadership.
Haley LehmanSeptember 26, 2026
Community Voices: How Honolulu can learn from Auckland
In Auckland, New Zealand, for example, officials in 2016 authorized up to three dwellings per lot in residential areas and taller apartment buildings in certain transit areas. Homebuilding there boomed as a result, and the city issued 112,000 permits for new dwellings in the six years after the sweeping reforms were enacted, increasing the housing stock by 20%.
Keliʻi AkinaSeptember 25, 2026
Storms and war, make for gloomy economic forecast, UHERO reports
State's economic future uncertain as interest rates and fuel costs soar.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 25, 2026
UPDATED: Chinatown Cultural Plaza to be razed, redeveloped
The center, owned by the Taiwan government, will be demolished and redeveloped after a years-long push by the City and County of Honolulu to improve the site. Over the past 50 years, Chinatown Cultural Plaza has “carried forward our unique cultural traditions and preserved the shared memories of Honolulu,” said the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Honolulu. Its tenants received end of lease termination notices and must vacate the premises by the end of March 2027.
Haley LehmanSeptember 25, 2026
Hawaiʻi Republican Party should put Hawaiʻi first, not the national brand
Can my kids afford to stay? Who will care for my mother? ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa on why Hawaiʻi Republicans should start with the questions local families ask.
Sterling HigaSeptember 25, 2026
Honolulu, state Land Use Commission, battle in Supreme Court
Decade-old attempt to change zoning leads to procedural debate.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 24, 2026
UPDATED: Hurricane Nolo passes south of Islands causing severe wind
No longer a rainfall threat to the state, Nolo brings strong winds and high surf across Hawaiʻi.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 24, 2026
2026 disasters cost the state $1 billion and counting
Two hurricanes so far, two Kona Lows and an earthquake cost than $600 million in recovery funds and another $300 million for future mitigation projects.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 24, 2026
Pritchett Cartoon: Trojan Panda
And this time, we're not talking about the mayor!
John PritchettSeptember 24, 2026
20 questions: Oʻahu voters to decide on updating the City’s charter in November
City and County of Honolulu voters will vote on 20 questions proposed to amend the city’s governing document in the November general election. Here’s a look at what’s on the ballot and how the process works.
Haley LehmanSeptember 24, 2026
AIA Hawai‘i Book Club event to highlight climate action
Attendees can expect conversation and collaboration on climate solutions in their own backyard this Saturday, Sept. 26, at Hawaiʻi Nature Center’s Rain Shelter in Makiki. The discussion, which stems from author and climate activist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson’s “What If We Get It Right?,” will be led by Kirsten Oleson, who is a Climate Change Commission member with the Honolulu City and County and a professor of ecological economics at UH Mānoa.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 23, 2026
Kula Hospital to reopen following $65 million renovations
Storm-damaged historic hospital will return to service following a project funded by the state and Kaiser Permanente.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 23, 2026
Hawaiʻi County to select new fire chief this week
The Hawaiʻi County Fire Commission will hold public meetings on Thursday and Friday to interview six candidates for fire chief, succeeding Fire Chief Kazuo S.K.L. Todd, 45, who died in December 2025.
Haley LehmanSeptember 23, 2026
Hawaiʻi Republicans could force House floor votes. What are they for?
House Republicans are one seat from a rule that lets them force floor votes. ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa on why a tactic without a goal is a chainsaw without a tree.
Sterling HigaSeptember 23, 2026
Joshlyn Sand retires as Honolulu Botanical Gardens director
After 36 years with the Honolulu Botanical Gardens, Sand will retire at the end of the month.
Haley LehmanSeptember 22, 2026