Government & Politics

‘Ohana Military Communities invests millions in military housing improvements in 2025

Brent Arakaki, director of development for Hunt Military Communities, which manages ‘Ohana Military Communitiesʻ more than 7,000 residential units on Oʻahu, says it reinvests “tens of millions" of dollars back into local communities on average per year. Hereʻs what the company is spending on this year.

Community Voices: Taxing Capital Gains

The Hawai‘i state Legislature wants to change taxes on capital gains by some as yet unstated amount by taxing, for example, the money you gain selling your house at rates comparable to state income taxes. For individuals, this could amount to as much as a 52% increase to the rate someone would pay on capital gains.

New legislation would bring tax cuts for movies with mostly local hires

Actors, stuntmen and others in the movie industry spoke in support of Senate Bill 732, which would incentivize the film industry to bring productions to Hawaiʻi through tax cuts if there are at least 80% kamaʻāina hires.

Former longtime Rep. Gene Ward dies at 82

Ward served in the state House of Representatives from 1990 to 1998 and from 2006 until Monday. He had recently announced his retirement, which was effective Monday, March 31, citing recent health setbacks.

District health offices to host community events in April

With National Public Health Week (April 7-13) right around the corner, Aloha State Daily spoke with Kaua‘i District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman about what attendees can expect from the Open House on April 11, as well as the initiatives she’s most excited about on Kauaʻi that are contributing to the state's health goals.

Community Voices: You Want to Raise the TAT by HOW Much?

Two bills would raise the Transient Accommodations Tax, but won't openly state the new rate, in a process leaving little time for public input.

Honolulu looks to add more affordable housing in ‘Ewa Beach

Although the project is still in the development phase, city officials say they're nearing a "major milestone" with the financing.

Community Voices: Lahaina future brighter, but keep pedal to the metal

Check out these chances for your keiki to have some fun this summer

County-run summer programs for children and teens are about to open for registration — and spaces fill quickly. Here are some opportunities for summer fun across the Islands.

Kapi‘olani commuters beware — lane closures planned this week and beyond

The city says these temporary lane closures are expected to have a "significant impact on traffic flow in the area, and drivers are strongly advised to use alternate routes."

Community Voices: The new tax cuts website

The Hawaii State Tax Watch Doggie has gone online to check it out and has a few quibbles.

Community Voices: Legislature poised to fix a state wrong?

First, local government shut down restaurants during the Covid-19 pandemic. Then the federal government offered them relief money to partially make up for their losses. Then state government taxed that relief as revenue. A bill in the Hawai‘i state legislature would undo that last step.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi talks top priorities

Housing and public safety were among the top priorities identified by the mayor during his State of the City address Tuesday, March 18.

Measles are making headlines but Hawai‘i's top diseases may surprise you

Gov. Josh Green recently highlighted measles. That had Aloha State Daily wondering what are Hawaiʻi's most common infectious diseases? The answers are icky.

New rail segment to open later this year

Mayor Rick Blangiardi made the announcement during his State of the City address Tuesday, March 18.

Community Voices: Universal vax for Hawai‘i

A new bill would tax health plans so that the state can buy bulk vaccines for people not otherwise entitled to receive free vaccines. It also immunizes the state itself — against lawsuits.

Here's how construction defect litigation is affecting housing in Hawai‘i

A new report from the University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization says that legal action related to construction defects is becoming an "increasingly significant source of uncertainty and risk in Hawai‘i's housing marketing."

Community Voices: Let’s close the book on school impact fees

It's not just big developers who have to pay these fees, which add to the cost of housing, even individuals adding an ADU have to come up with thousands of dollars.

Kaua‘i, Maui leaders offer county updates

Aloha State Daily has the highlights from Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek Kawakami's State of the County address Thursday morning and Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen's address, which he gave March 7.

Kaua‘i County boosts local farms

For the second year, Kaua‘i County's Office of Economic Development has funded Agriculture Farm Expansion Grants. The 12 selected project proposals received a combined total of $637,429.

Community Voices: Taxpayers need a break from old liens

Why the Tax Foundation of Hawai‘i drafted a bill to stop the state Department of Taxation from leaving liens on taxpayers on the books past their 15-year statute of limitations.

First phase of Kapi‘olani Boulevard roadwork set to be finished this summer

The work is part of a project that is being completed in two phases. The first phase spans from Harding Avenue to Atkinson Drive, while the second phase — work on which hasn't started yet — will continue from Atkinson Drive to Ward Avenue.

School vaccine measure HB1118 is dead for this session

A unanimous vote by the House on Tuesday shelved the controversial bill that would bar religious exemptions to vaccines at Hawaiʻi schools.

Community Voices: Kōloa Rum challenge could be what kills the Jones Act

Recently, there has been momentum in Congress to revisit the law, which for more than a hundred years has been limiting shipping competition between U.S. ports and had an outsized negative impact on the residents of Hawai‘i and other U.S. states and territories who rely heavily on waterborne transportation for their imports.