Government & Politics
News
POW pau: Longstanding Wai‘anae homeless community relocating
Pu‘uhonua O Wai‘anae encampment is being dismantled as residents transition to a permanent housing community.
Michael BrestovanskyNovember 26, 2025
Skyline ridership still up a month after second segment opens
Weekday ridership numbers have routinely surpassed 10,000 daily since the second section of the rail opened on Oct. 16, according to data from the City and County of Honolulu.
Stephanie SalmonsNovember 25, 2025
Green appoints new finance director
Hawai‘i's state economist becomes new finance director after only three months.
Michael BrestovanskyNovember 25, 2025
CONGRESS WATCH: Reconvening roundup
Let's take a look at 31 bills Congress voted to pass last week.
Michael BrestovanskyNovember 24, 2025
Hawai‘i County acquires Hilo hotel for affordable housing
Guest rooms will be converted into 18 affordable rentals available for residents earning up to 50% of the area median income.
Stephanie SalmonsNovember 22, 2025
Police positive on media access proposal
Bill proposes alerts about police activities within 10 minutes to certain news outlets.
Michael BrestovanskyNovember 22, 2025
Honolulu selects partner for Iwilei Center redevelopment
The four-acre parcel is adjacent to the future Kūwili Skyline rail station. Its redevelopment is expected to bring hundreds of new homes to the area, along with retail spaces, community amenities and “transit-connected public spaces,” the city says.
Stephanie SalmonsNovember 21, 2025
Community Voices: Many of the proposed Honolulu Charter amendments actually make sense
Among the 250 charter amendment proposals submitted by the public were four from Grassroot Institute of Hawai‘i aimed at speeding up permit approvals and improving cost-of-government accountability.
Keliʻi AkinaNovember 21, 2025
High traffic fatalities test city's Vision Zero plan
County officials discuss 2025's surge in fatal traffic crashes and the city's plan to eliminate them entirely.
Michael BrestovanskyNovember 20, 2025
Hawaiian Council outreach team will travel to Neighbor Islands
There, they'll help Native Hawaiian beneficiaries with completing applications for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ $6.1 million emergency assistance program
Stephanie SalmonsNovember 19, 2025
CONGRESS WATCH: Congress votes nearly unanimously to release Epstein files
Hawai‘i's lawmakers voted in support of a bill to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein
Michael BrestovanskyNovember 18, 2025
DOT lowering speed limit in four spots on Hawai‘i Belt Road
The state Department of Transportation says the speed limit signs will be changed 30 days from Nov. 17 and the new speed limits will be effective once the sign installations are complete.
Stephanie SalmonsNovember 18, 2025
Young Brothers' rates to increase by more than 25%
State Public Utilities Commission approves 25.75% rate increase amid freight company's financial woes.
Michael BrestovanskyNovember 18, 2025
Hamada: Government shutdown showed Hawai‘iʻs vulnerabilities
Groceries cost a "thrifty" family of four nearly $1,000 per month on the Mainland. In Hawai‘i, itʻs more like $1,500.
Rick HamadaNovember 17, 2025
Community Voices: Student loan forgiveness gets complicated
Student loan forgiveness has been tied to working for the government or for certain nonprofits. Under new federal rules, that might depend on whether the state or local government, or nonprofit, engages in "substantial illegal activities" in the eyes of the federal government
Tom YamachikaNovember 17, 2025
Eminent domain a go for desalination access road
Board of Water Supply moves to end two years of negotiation over a stretch of road in Kapolei to develop the Kalaeloa Seawater Desalination Facility.
Michael BrestovanskyNovember 17, 2025
State breaks ground on agribusiness hub
Wahiawā facility to help farmers, ag businesses, scale up production.
Michael BrestovanskyNovember 15, 2025
Hawai‘i Job Corps still alive and thriving, despite threat of closure
Nationwide vocational training program still recruiting students even as a lawsuit to determine its fate continues.
Michael BrestovanskyNovember 15, 2025
Community Voices: Hawaiʻi’s rising child poverty is a policy choice — and we can choose better
New data suggests public programs work to meet basic needs for Hawaiʻi’s keiki. Here's how.
Nicole WooNovember 14, 2025
CONGRESS WATCH: Shutdown ended, vet benefits extended
How did Hawai‘i's lawmakers vote this week?
Michael BrestovanskyNovember 14, 2025
Hilo park closed after footbridge collapses
A portion of the bridge connecting Moku‘ola, or Coconut Island, to the Hilo shoreline collapsed Friday and sent a Hawai‘i County employee to the hospital.
Stephanie SalmonsNovember 14, 2025
Free webinar for condo owners set for Saturday
The Real Estate Commission, along with Community Associations Institute Hawai‘i Chapter will host “Condorama XV" on Nov. 15.
Stephanie SalmonsNovember 14, 2025
Green announces committee to advise on Army land negotiations
As U.S. Army contemplates land condemnation to retain training facilities on state land, Green assembles 10-person advisory committee.
Michael BrestovanskyNovember 14, 2025
Honolulu, Roberts Hawai‘i aim to improve access to Hanauma Bay
A new contract between the city and Roberts Hawai‘i packages transportation to and from the popular snorkel spot, entry and an educational video.
Stephanie SalmonsNovember 12, 2025