Government & Politics

TAT rate increase coming next year

Transient accommodation tax rate hike to fund climate change mitigation projects

Michael BrestovanskyMay 06, 2025

Community Voices: The major raid that wasn’t

The state Legislature came close to raiding nearly $320 million from 97 different special funds this session.

Tom YamachikaMay 05, 2025

Honolulu establishes new Department of Housing and Land Management

The city says the new department "consolidates key housing and land functions" from the Department of Land Management, the Mayor's Office of Housing, Department of Planning and Permitting and the Department of Community Services.

Stephanie SalmonsMay 03, 2025

More bus route changes coming in October

Old bus routes will be removed and new routes will be added as Skyline rail project expands

Michael BrestovanskyMay 03, 2025

Pipikaula Corner: The kids need more ... indoctrination?

A case study in how goofy ideas trickle down from New York to Honolulu. The latest argument? Hawai‘i's public schools need to be turned into factories of "resistance." Someone dust off the Pink Floyd albums!

A. Kam NapierMay 03, 2025

Legislature drops gun ban, advances fireworks ban on last day

Lawmakers were united in support of a sweeping fireworks ban, but were irreconcilable on a firearm ban

Michael BrestovanskyMay 02, 2025

CONGRESS WATCH: Hidden cameras and poisons

How Hawai‘i's elected officials voted April 29, 2025.

Michael BrestovanskyMay 01, 2025

Plans brewing at Mauna Kea Authority

The state agency taking over Mauna Kea in 2028 will have a plan for the mountain in 2026.

Michael BrestovanskyMay 01, 2025

Honolulu to launch its first small business incubator program

Applications will open this week for Idea2Biz, a 13-week cohort-style program that will initially target aspiring entrepreneurs from O‘ahu's Wai‘anae Coast.

Stephanie SalmonsApril 30, 2025

Homeless sweep at Diamond Head likely short-lived

While the state removed dozens of homeless encampments at Diamond Head last week, some are already returning.

Michael BrestovanskyApril 30, 2025

CONGRESS WATCH: Federal lawmakers take a stand against deepfakes

U.S. Representatives vote in support of new penalties for creators of digitally forged images.

Michael BrestovanskyApril 29, 2025

Kalihi-Pālama: a 'working-class community' facing challenges and changes

Aloha State Daily recently spoke with Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board No. 15 Chair Amanda Ybanez about the community, its challenges and what lies ahead.

Stephanie SalmonsApril 29, 2025

What's planned for Iwilei infrastructure, Liliha Civic Center

The final environmental impact statement includes an infrastructure plan that covers 555 acres in Iwilei-Kapālama and proposes improvements that will help spur redevelopment, and the Liliha Civic Center Master Plan, which proposes a mixed-use development on 3.79 acres in Iwilei.

Stephanie SalmonsApril 22, 2025

Community Voices: Apply rebuilding waivers to all Lahaina fire victims

When disaster strikes, people want to rebuild what they lost. If that property is in a Shoreline Management Area, however, the law can get in the way, as hundreds of Lahaina homeowners have found out. A bill before the legislature would waive such restrictions, freeing people to rebuild their homes.

Keliʻi AkinaApril 20, 2025

Wahiawā landfill proposal on the outs over H-POWER ash concerns

While a proposed law would make the controversial landfill impossible, lawmakers debate what to do with waste-to-energy ash

Michael BrestovanskyApril 19, 2025

Garbage in, but not out: Slow progress on proposals to reduce waste

City and state proposals to limit waste generation may not go far enough, fast enough.

Michael BrestovanskyApril 18, 2025

Too fast, too furious? Proposed law aims to regulate police car chases

In an effort to limit danger to the public, House Bill 277 would restrict when, where and how police officers can pursue a suspect vehicle.

Michael BrestovanskyApril 17, 2025

Community Voices: Supporting Government’s Central Services

Hawai‘i's state Department of Transportation pays the most among all departments in internal fees back to state government for its shared expenses. Here's why it may be stuck with that arrangement.

Tom YamachikaApril 13, 2025

State Legislature poised to pass sweeping weapons ban

Senate Bill 401 proposes a ban on the sale of "assault rifles" beginning July 8.

Michael BrestovanskyApril 12, 2025

Community Voices: Turns out you can fight city hall — and win!

Trapped in Hawai‘i County permitting limbo, Shahzaad Ausman could neither live in his home nor renovate it. So he took officials to court. “If the government can wrongfully revoke my permit, it can revoke many other permits. We must hold officials accountable and stand up for our rights,” he said.

Keliʻi AkinaApril 11, 2025

CONGRESS WATCH: How Hawai‘i's reps voted on the SAVE Act

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a pillar of Republicans’ domestic policy intended to ensure that anyone voting in a federal election produce proof of citizenship. Here's how Hawai‘i's reps voted.

Michael BrestovanskyApril 11, 2025

Crashes, falls and heart attacks: State settles lawsuits for $6.5 million

Among these settlements is a $275,000 payment over a heart attack connected to the 2018 ballistic missile false alarm

Michael BrestovanskyApril 09, 2025

Catch-and-release fishing returns to Ho‘omaluhia

With the return comes the launch of a new online reservation system developed as a collaboration between the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of Information Technology.

Stephanie SalmonsApril 09, 2025

Kapolei public meeting coming up on TOD zoning, land use plan

The City and County of Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting will discuss proposed changes around three Skyline rail stations in West O‘ahu — East Kapolei, University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu, and Ho‘opili.