Government & Politics
News
What happens when illegal animals, invasive stowaways are found in Hawai‘i
State agricultural inspectors recently found a ball python in a Kaimukī back yard. That got us wondering, what happens next?
Stephanie SalmonsJune 06, 2025
CONGRESS WATCH: House Republicans take aim at "sanctuary cities"
Hawai‘i reps oppose bills tightening restrictions on the Small Business Administration
Michael BrestovanskyJune 06, 2025
Prison reform coalition urges Gov. Green to halt OCCC "superjail"
Advocates asked Green to veto $30 million in state budget to design a 1,300-bed replacement for OCCC.
Michael BrestovanskyJune 05, 2025
Astronomical loss: Federal science cuts threaten Hawai‘i observatories
Proposed Trump budget cuts portend bleak future for Hawai‘i astronomy
Michael BrestovanskyJune 05, 2025
New legislation strives to protect young movie stars, dancers and social media influencers
The governor has signed new legislation which aims to protect keiki actors and actresses by requiring trustees and guardians to place a percentage of their earnings in trusts that can be accessed when they are older.
Katie HellandJune 05, 2025
CONGRESS WATCH: Hawai‘i reps endorse small business bills
Measures provide more oversight, resources for Small Business Association programs
Michael BrestovanskyJune 04, 2025
Snake captured in Kaimukī
According to the state Department of Agriculture, inspectors noted the snake was very docile, likely making it an escaped pet.
Stephanie SalmonsJune 04, 2025
Community Voices: Bills from the 2025 legislative session that will most impact Native Hawaiians
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs aims to improve the well-being of Native Hawaiians through advocacy, research, funding and more. Here is a breakdown of the measures that would advance its mission, if approved by Gov. Josh Green.
Michèle McCoyJune 03, 2025
Who killed TMT?
National Science Foundation documents indicate shortcomings in Thirty Meter Telescope project
Michael BrestovanskyJune 03, 2025
Community Voices: Light at the End
While previous laws put a 15-year statute of limitations on uncollected tax debt, the state Department of Taxation had been finding legal workarounds to chase the money past that point. Act 68, recently signed into law by Gov. Josh Green, requires the state Department of Taxation to release tax debt that it hasn't been able to collect.
Tom YamachikaJune 02, 2025
Job Corps to shut down: Now what?
Students and staff left in the lurch after U.S. Department of Labor cuts vocational training program
Michael BrestovanskyMay 31, 2025
Community Voices: No, we don’t have low property taxes
Property tax bills are based on assessed values, and Hawai‘i has extremely high property values. So when you calculate the actual money owed, we’re closer to the middle of the pack. In addition, Hawai‘i is the only state that does not use property taxes to fund public education, so of course you would expect its county property tax rates to be relatively low.
Keliʻi AkinaMay 30, 2025
State fines state over decades-old tank
Fine to fund future fuel leak responses
Michael BrestovanskyMay 30, 2025
Kamehameha Schools still figuring out future of Hawai‘i Kai properties
Despite residents' concerns about hypothetical high-rises, decisions about three Haha‘ione parcels are still pending
Michael BrestovanskyMay 30, 2025
Green names successor to Gene Ward
Joe Gedeon will serve out the remainder of the late Gene Ward's term.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 29, 2025
Neighborhood Board election results are in
There were 14,031 votes cast in the election, which began in April and ended earlier this month.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 29, 2025
Green signs green fee
Transient accommodation tax hike will pay for climate change mitigation measures
Michael BrestovanskyMay 28, 2025
Community Voices: Legislators ignore rules for special funds
The state Office of the Auditor analyzed 86 proposed special and revolving funds proposed by the Legislature in this past session. Not a single one of them met the legal criteria for establishing such funds.
Tom YamachikaMay 26, 2025
Pedestrian bridge crossing Ala Moana Boulevard in Kaka‘ako is now open
The $17.8 million elevated walkway, located between Ward Avenue and Kamake‘e Street, opened May 22, a little more than three years after construction on it started.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 24, 2025
Environmental groups suing Trump over commercial fishing proclamation
Trump's April proclamation allowing commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument was made illegally, argues lawsuit filed Thursday
Michael BrestovanskyMay 24, 2025
CONGRESS WATCH: How Hawai‘i's reps voted on the Big Beautiful Bill
Case and Tokuda give their reasons for the vote while ASD takes a look at some of the bill's potential effects and what the other side likes about it.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 23, 2025
Community Voices: Cleaning up Hawai‘i’s permitting mess
A new report from the University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization shows that Hawai‘i permit delays in 2024 were at some of the worst levels ever. But I’m glad to report policy changes at the state and county levels that could make a real dent in these delays.
Keliʻi AkinaMay 22, 2025
CONGRESS WATCH: Tip tax to go
U.S. Senators unanimous in support for removing federal income tax on cash tips
Michael BrestovanskyMay 22, 2025
Community Voices: Economic prosperity rises from the bottom up
Special for ASD, the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice looks at the recent Legislative sessionʻs hits and misses.
Will CaronMay 21, 2025