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
Green signs anti-corporate spending bill
Senate Bill 2471, now Act 11, aims to limit corporate influence on Hawai‘i's elections
Michael BrestovanskyMay 16, 2026
Honolulu to consider landfill alternatives
Honolulu City Council passes resolution forming "End Landfills Task Force"
Michael BrestovanskyMay 15, 2026
Reckoning With George Ariyoshi’s Hawai‘i
ASD political history columnist Perry Arrasmith takes a deep dive into the career, accomplishments and legacy of the late Gov. George Ariyoshi. His last year in office was 1986 but, as Arrasmith explains, the social and political tensions Ariyoshi navigated remain with us to this day.
Perry ArrasmithMay 15, 2026
Hamada: Lawmakers saved the tax cuts with a "tax the rich" increase
ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada assesses the Legislative session and find just one idea reigning in the Big Square Building. Tax the "rich," even when preserving tax cuts. Do they know who the rich really are?
Rick HamadaMay 14, 2026
H-1 closures planned in June, July
A portion of the freeway will be closed for improvement work, the state Department of Transportation says.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 14, 2026
'Mister ambassador of aloha'
It's a bad look for the word "aloha" when it's used to commend a vigilante beat down, as state Sen. Brenton Awa did last week, says ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa.
Sterling HigaMay 13, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: A conversation about SB2471
ASD Editor in Chief A. Kam Napier appears in this week's episode of Talk Story with Keli‘i Akina, on ThinkTech Hawai‘i, to discuss SB2471. The Legislature almost unanimously passed the bill to overturn the Citizens United decision in Hawai‘i last Friday. It now awaits Gov. Josh Green's signature. Akina has questions — what does this mean for Hawai‘i? Watch it here.
A. Kam NapierMay 13, 2026
Loan program launched for condominium associations
The Condominium Association Loan Program provides direct loans to Associations of Apartment Owners, or AOAOs.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 13, 2026
Hawai‘i County to decide whether to allow 'Burning Man'-style festival
"Falls on Fire" festival in Pāpa‘ikou has generated controversy among Big Isle neighbors.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 13, 2026
Community Voices: Follow the yellow brick road
Stay tuned for further news on the bills advancing toward the Land of Oz.
Tom YamachikaMay 11, 2026
Formby steps down as Honolulu managing director
Mike Formby to step down from managing director position after five years.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 11, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: How the Clinton White House just bamboozled Hawai‘i
The Legislature was jubilant as it passed SB2471 on Friday, seeking to overturn the effects of the Citizens United decision in Hawai‘i and get big money and outside influences out of our elections. The irony is, Mainland power players were pulling our strings the whole time.
A. Kam NapierMay 11, 2026
Community Voices: Historic 2024 tax cuts rescued for majority of Hawai‘i residents
Grassroot Institute of Hawai‘i played a part in convincing the Legislature to preserve nearly all of the promised tax cuts that had been poised for repeal at the start of the session.
Keliʻi AkinaMay 11, 2026
Young Brothers rate hikes, anti-ICE bills cross finish line
The 2026 legislative session finally ended Friday, with more bills passing at the eleventh hour.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 09, 2026
New legislation increases tax credits for Hawaiʻi productions
The film industry may see increased tax credits through new legislation now before Gov. Josh Green for approval. The bill would increase tax credits by 5% on Oʻahu and Neighbor Islands for productions with at least 80% local hires.
Katie HellandMay 09, 2026
Q&A with state Sen. Karl Rhoads on SB2471
The senator who introduced SB2471 speaks about the origins and purpose of this attempt to undo Citizens United, and what happens when it gets challenged.
A. Kam NapierMay 08, 2026
UHERO: Hawai‘i housing affordability improves slightly but housing crisis 'remains severe'
UHERO has published its Hawai‘i Housing Factbook 2026, the fourth edition of an annual report that analyzes the state's housing market.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 08, 2026
Legislature OKs bills reducing pennies, kids in pickup trucks and more
With only one day left this legislative session, what new laws might take effect this year?
Michael BrestovanskyMay 08, 2026
Q&A with state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole on SB2471
It's down to the wire on this intensely scrutinized bill as it goes up for a final vote on Friday. ASD got time with one of the champions of this attempt by Hawai‘i to circumvent the Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court decision, to ask about the intentions behind it.
A. Kam NapierMay 08, 2026
ʻGotta start somewhereʻ
ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa digs into the claimed Christian ethics of would-be assassin Cole Tomas Allen, who stormed the White House Correspondent's Dinner in Washington, D.C.
Sterling HigaMay 08, 2026
Senators, colleagues remember Colleen Hanabusa
Scores attended a memorial service for the late Hanabusa at the state Senate Thursday.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 08, 2026
Community Voices: Untangling occupational licensing rules
If passed, Senate Bill 2876 would replace burdensome cosmetology licensing requirements for natural hair braiders with a simple registration. This is a step in the right direction for local entrepreneurs, Grassroot Institute of Hawai‘i notes.
Keliʻi AkinaMay 07, 2026
Pay increases coming for Hawai‘i teachers
House and Senate unanimously sign off of annual step increases for public school teachers.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 07, 2026
Hamada: Political influence in Hawai‘i by the numbers
A shockingly low percentage of people vote in Hawai‘i, notes ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada. Something to keep in mind as we see what the Hawai‘i State Legislature passes this week.
Rick HamadaMay 06, 2026