Government & Politics

“The primary is not pau:” The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court orders new primary election in tied Makakilo race

The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ruled Friday that the House District 43 primary race will go back to the voters in November.

Pritchett Cartoon: Supreme Court rules on basket case

Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau prepare as Lowell approaches

Hurricane Lowell to turn northward this weekend.

UH seeks public feedback for changes to Mauna Kea plan

Amendments to Mauna Kea Master Plan allow for new facilities to be built on old facility footprints.

Making Makiki’s streets safer

The City and County of Honolulu will repave and restripe Wilder Avenue and Piʻikoi Street later this year and in early 2027 in an effort to improve road safety in the Makiki neighborhood.

Residents urged to prepare as Lowell predicted to veer stateward

Hurricane Lowell, currently a powerful Category 4 Hurricane, is anticipated to make an abrupt 90-degree lurch northward this weekend, bringing it close to Kaua‘i.

Supreme Court to decide future of House District 43 primary

The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in the election contest of the Makakilo primary race that was settled by a tiebreaker in August.

BLNR rejects aquarium fishing rules again

After public outcry, the Department of Land and Natural Resources must go back to the drawing board for rules governing commercial aquarium fishing.

State gets $58 million for rural health development

Hawai‘i was awarded more than $180 million in federal funds for rural health care improvements this fiscal year alone.

Lazar names HPD's new deputy chiefs

Maj. Brandon Nakasato and Maj. Parker Bode are Chief David Lazar's permanent deputy chiefs after Monday announcement.

Hawaiʻi County lease of Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park to end

Negotiations between the county and landowner Black Sand Beach LLC will cease Saturday without an agreement. County officials aim to "minimize the disruption" to the community, while tourism operators work to shift their itineraries.

DAGS seeks assistance in Maui school vandalism incident

Unknown people caused "thousands" of dollars in damage at Maui High School restroom construction site.

Waters out of council race after Supreme Court verdict

The Hawai‘i Supreme Court found Waters ineligible to run for reelection this year.

Shopping carts could be banned if removed from commercial stores

Sponsored by Chair Tommy Waters, Bill 53 is a "step toward reducing avoidable cost increases, while helping keep neighborhoods across O‘ahu safe and accessible," he says.

Commercial aquarium fishing question may be resolved after three years

After years of a statewide pause on commercial aquarium fishing, the BLNR could vote to resurrect the industry or kill it permanently on Friday.

Two candidates challenge primary election results

A lawsuit contesting the results of the August primary election for Makakilo in the state house is scheduled to go to the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court next week, while a case for Waikīkī on the Honolulu City Council is still pending.

Dog owners could be fined if their dog strays

Bill 16 would create a civil penalty structure with fines of $250, $500 or $1,000 depending on if a dog has strayed before.

Hawai‘i gets $76 million in Meta settlement

Multi-state lawsuit over Meta's policies toward underage users ends in agreement.

Community Voices: It’s time to fix how Hawaiʻi rebuilds

Current state and county laws make it difficult to rebuild homes, lives and communities after natural disasters. Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi recommends some flexibility in how government officials craft and enforce regulations.

Waters, Ozawa duel over definition of 'four-year term'

State Supreme Court hears arguments to determine Councilman Tommy Waters' eligibility for reelection

City rolls out new permitting system for public fields

Sports teams across Oʻahu are adjusting to a new permitting system rolled out by the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation on Monday.

Where's our Legislative Analyst? 

An Office of the Legislative Analyst was created by law during Gov. Waihe‘e's administration, and was meant to be a non-partisan, data-driven office that could inform legislators about the potential benefits and harms of the laws they pass. And yet, the office has never actually been staffed — it's a phantom, existing only on paper. Yet as lawmaking gets more complex, we need someone to do this work and some lawmakers having been trying to make the office finally happen.

Ige wasn’t an insurgent. He was next in line.

A senator who chaired the most powerful committee in the Capitol waited quietly while a governor burned through every ally he had. ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa on what Hawaiʻi’s most famous “insurgency” proves about governing.

Kauaʻi County takes step to harden homes against wildfires

Kauaʻi County Council's Planning Committee this week took up Bill 2998, which, inspired by the loss of Lahaina, details ways to harden homes against wildfires. If adopted, the revised building codes would reduce the ways a fire can jump from fields to homes. At the same time, some attending the hearing worried the home modifications would make housing even more expensive.