Government & Politics
News
Maui Land & Pineapple facing possible fines over water mismanagement
State water commission issues notice of potential violations regarding landowner's stewardship of Maui irrigation system.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 16, 2025
Changes coming to airport ground transport operations as Skyline expands
The relocation of the airport's rideshare pick-up spots are among the changes coming with the launch of the new rail segment this week.
Stephanie SalmonsOctober 16, 2025
Skyline extension brings new and modified bus routes, free rides
The second leg of Honolulu's rail system opens to the public on Thursday, Oct. 16.
Stephanie SalmonsOctober 15, 2025
Community Voices: Rebelling against the culture of silence
Too often, state government operates behind walls of consensus and secrecy that leave the public in the dark.
Tom YamachikaOctober 14, 2025
Hamada: In the shutdown showdown, you are a pawn
It's divide-and-conquer gamesmanship, reaching all the way to the Islands.
Rick HamadaOctober 13, 2025
250+ Kaiser employees to strike next week
Unions to picket Kaiser over stagnant wages, cut benefits, and more across multiple states.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 11, 2025
Insurance provider DTRIC to wind down in Hawai‘i
Company will neither issue nor renew policies as it withdraws from Hawai‘i market
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 11, 2025
Second segment of Skyline to open Oct. 16
Members of the media got a sneak peek of the rail's new leg Thursday, a ride that stopped at each of the four new stations along the route from Makalapa to the Middle Street Transit Center.
Stephanie SalmonsOctober 10, 2025
CONGRESS WATCH: Shutdown showdown
Senate passes a pair of bills while proposals to end the federal shutdown remain mired in deadlock.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 10, 2025
Teacher housing project in Mililani progresses
Housing development for teachers and education workers to open in 2029.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 09, 2025
Community Voices: Erasing progress not the way to move forward
Last year, state lawmakers passed Act 39, a major piece of housing reform — but the state's most populous county is trying to get that legislation overturned.
Keliʻi AkinaOctober 09, 2025
City seeks development partner for affordable housing in Royal Kunia
The city-owned property slated for development is located at the corner of Kupuohi Street and Kupuna Loop.
Stephanie SalmonsOctober 08, 2025
Community Voices: Nonresident withholding, six years later
State legislators passed a law six years ago impacting any partnership, estate or trust operating in Hawai‘i to withhold taxes for nonresident partners. Now the state Department of Taxation has finally issued the rules to start collecting. Here's what you need to know.
Tom YamachikaOctober 07, 2025
Online travel agency could owe state $20 million in GET
Lawsuit by Booking.com against the Hawai‘i Department of Taxation going to state Supreme Court.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 07, 2025
Lawsuit challenges Hawai‘i age limit on gun ownership
State law prohibiting gun ownership between the ages of 18 and 20 is the subject of a 2024 lawsuit moving forward in U.S. court.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 04, 2025
$126 million for Hawai‘i nonprofits at risk from federal cuts, UHERO reports
UHERO report warns that nonprofit healthcare services are in particular danger.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 03, 2025
Hawai‘i's bizarre legacy of population control (and why it's still here)
In the 1970s, Hawai‘i gave in to fears of overpopulation, so much so that population control was put into the State Constitution.
Perry ArrasmithOctober 03, 2025
Community Voices: Do we really want a ‘rubber stamp’ Legislature?
Hawai‘i's legislators vote "yes" on bills a staggering 98% of the time. Where is the debate on issues that affect us all?
Keliʻi AkinaOctober 02, 2025
Council approves Downtown Improvement District
City Council passes bill establishing Downtown Business Improvement District.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 02, 2025
CONGRESS WATCH: Government to shut down amid healthcare funding dispute
Hawai‘i's senators voted with Democrats against federal funding bill.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 01, 2025
City and County of Honolulu searches for chief of ocean safety
The role pays more than $200,000 in annual salary and includes responsibility of more than 300 people across five districts on Oʻahu. The Ocean Safety Department oversees ocean safety and emergency rescue on the beach and near shore waters along Oʻahu’s 227-mile coastline.
Katie HellandSeptember 30, 2025
Hamada: Hawaiʻi’s General Excise Tax — helping or hurting the cost of living?
You may not enjoy an ever-increasing cost of living in Hawai‘i, but thanks to the pervasive GET, rising prices are very good for state government.
Rick HamadaSeptember 30, 2025
Still salty: Only one desalination project in Hawai‘i still alive
The ongoing legal battle over water on Maui amid drought conditions had us wondering — we're surrounded by water, could desalination help ease Hawai‘i's water woes? Here's what we've learned about three desalination projects in the Islands.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 30, 2025
Community Voices: What's happening with state and local tax deductions
What Hawai‘i taxpayers need to know about changes to the SALT deductions.
Tom YamachikaSeptember 30, 2025