Government & Politics
ASD’s eye on the people in state and local government making decisions that impact you where you live.
Some days, we report on the little things you see every day, such as road closures or park improvements. Other days, we look at the big plans from Hawai‘i's governor and its mayors. On the issues that matter to you — education, housing, health, homelessness, the cost of living in Hawai‘i, taxes and spending — we keep an eye on what the Hawai‘i state Legislature and county councilmembers are doing.
News
$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 Akina & Ph.D.October 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
"Bleak" economic report predicts recession
UHERO forecast warns about rising costs, stagnant jobs as tariffs and federal government job cuts continue.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 26, 2025
UHERO: ʻHawaiʻi could face a loss of $400 million in Medicaid spendingʻ
A third-quarter forecast released Friday by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization notes that proposed federal cuts to SNAP and Medicaid benefits will impact thousands of low-income families across the Islands, especially those in rural areas. Though state tax relief in 2026 will provide some income support, the potential cuts "will be a growing weight" come 2027, UHERO warns.
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros & Michael BrestovanskySeptember 26, 2025
Pipikaula Corner: Dr. Gov. Josh Green, patron saint of perpetual pandemic
A deep dive into Gov. Josh Green's recent emergency proclamation defying federal rules on Covid vaccines.
A. Kam NapierSeptember 25, 2025
DOH endorses Green vaccine emergency order
New FDA vaccine rules too vague to be helpful, says state epidemiologist
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 25, 2025
Green defies FDA vaccine rules
Emergency order allows pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccine to people without underlying conditions, opposing federal decisions.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 24, 2025
Community Voices: Your money stays in Vegas — then the IRS wants some
A trip to Hawai‘i's Ninth Island could have tax ramifications, if you're writing off gambling losses to offset gambling gains. Here's how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is changing those equations, and a look at what the State of Hawai‘i will have to consider regarding its own gambling taxes.
Tom YamachikaSeptember 23, 2025
HPD endorses Green's traffic safety edict
Governor's executive order long awaited by Honolulu law enforcement.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 20, 2025
CONGRESS WATCH: House split on fossil fuel bills
Hawai‘i reps oppose energy bills.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 20, 2025
State regulations coming to e-bikes
Gov. Green signs executive order aimed at reducing traffic crashes.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 18, 2025
CONGRESS WATCH: Hawai‘i reps oppose federal takeover
U.S. House of Representatives approve raft of bills increasing police crackdown in nation's capital.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 18, 2025
Meet the board chair for the state Agribusiness Development Corp.
Jayson Watts shares about his kuleana and ADC's mission, priorities and long-term vision, while also highlighting the challenges and opportunities ahead for Hawaiʻi’s agricultural community.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 17, 2025
One-night closure planned for Eastbound Nimitz Highway at Bishop Street
The closure is part of ongoing roadwork.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 16, 2025
Community Voices: Hawaiʻi Legislature sued over ‘blank’ bills
The League of Women Voters of Hawaiʻi contends that this practice of passing a measure with boilerplate language is unconstitutional. Learn also what lawmakers claim.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.September 16, 2025
Hawai‘i conservatives mourn Charlie Kirk
Scores gather on Friday for a vigil in memory of slain conservative commentator.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 15, 2025
Community Voices: Charitable giving under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Hawai‘i's nonprofits rely on charitable contributions from generous individuals. Here's what you need to know about the new tax rules for writing off these donations on your taxes.
Tom YamachikaSeptember 14, 2025
DHHL project at former Bowl-O-Drome site is ahead of schedule
Hale Mōʻiliʻili will include a 23-story tower with 271 units, as well as a two-story townhouse with seven more units.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 13, 2025
Green's affordable housing proclamations invalid, Supreme Court rules
Five emergency proclamations made in 2023 overstepped the governor's powers, according to a high court verdict.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 13, 2025
‘First real opportunity’ for public input on Ford Island’s future
Now through Oct. 4, The National Park Service is seeking public feedback for the sites it manages on Ford Island, which include six bungalows and the USS Oklahoma and USS Utah memorials. Pearl Harbor National Memorial Superintendent Tom Leatherman shares why the proposed long-term site management plan is needed now and how community members can weigh in via in-person and virtual meetings, as well as an online survey.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 12, 2025
CONGRESS WATCH: Tokuda slams military funding bill
House Republicans pass military construction omnibus bill containing nearly $1 billion for Hawai‘i projects.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 11, 2025
Neighborhood design workshop planned for Kalihi, Kapālama rail stations
The public has the chance to offer input on the preliminary designs of the two stations at the Sept. 11 public meeting.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 10, 2025
Community Voices: Kudos to the counties for considering housing reforms
Maui and Hawai‘i counties are both looking into ways to make housing more plentiful.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.September 10, 2025
Mulch quarantine proposed for Molokai
To keep coconut rhinoceros beetles away from Molokai, residents are calling for a one-year quarantine of potential beetle host material
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 10, 2025
Hamada: Thinking twice before calling 911
Act 259, signed into law this month by Gov. Josh Green, is meant to curb the use of 911 calls to discriminate against people. Not only is there no evidence of this happening in Hawai‘i, there's plenty of reasons to think the law will intimidate people out of using 911 at all, now that doing so risks legal liability.
Rick HamadaSeptember 09, 2025
CONGRESS WATCH: Nukes, fentanyl and office space
Hawai‘i reps vote along party lines in raft of new bills.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 09, 2025
Construction underway on affordable housing development in ‘Ewa Beach
The $78 million rental project — located at 91-1666 Renton Road, on a 3.7-acre lot owned by the City and County of Honolulu — will have 28 one-bedroom, 87 two-bedroom and 12 three-bedroom units. Ground broke on the project Sept. 3.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 08, 2025
Kamehameha Schools gearing up for legal battle over admissions policy
Virginia-based Students for Fair Admissions announced plans to challenge Kamehameha Schools preferential treatment of Native Hawaiian applicants
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 06, 2025
State DLNR acknowledges "grievous" tree-cutting on Kaua‘i
Residents outraged after coconut trees destroyed in Kalalau Valley.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 06, 2025
UPDATED: Hurricane Kiko downgraded to Category 1
Forecasters from the National Weather Service National Hurricane Center said Monday that the hurricane is expected to be further downgraded to a tropical storm.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 06, 2025
Council cool on proposed bus fare hike
Fare increase not worth the expected $2 million in revenue, say Council members.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 05, 2025
Whatever happened to the Lei of Parks?
For more than a century, planners have dreamed of tying together the parks of Urban Honolulu into a Lei of Parks, but all the seems to remain of that effort now are street signs.
Perry ArrasmithSeptember 04, 2025
Nightly closures planned at Kailua Beach Park
Honolulu's Department of Parks and Recreation will establish closure hours at the popular park for the next three months as part of a new pilot program.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 04, 2025
Affordable rentals open in ‘Aiea
Located across from Pearl Harbor, Nāulu Apartments brings 302 affordable units to the community.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 03, 2025
Community Voices: Time to retire the Jones Act’s U.S.-build requirement
The Jones Act was supposed to protect the American shipbuilding industry, but the industry has withered away despite that support. New legislation by U.S. Rep. Ed Case of Hawai‘i proposes changes to the act that could ultimately reduce shipping costs to the Islands.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.September 03, 2025
New law clamps down on discriminatory 911 calls
Calling the cops on someone based on their race, sex, and more can lead to a $1,000 lawsuit.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 03, 2025
Community Voices: No tax on tips
A closer look at what "no tax on tips" in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act means for Hawai‘i's workers and employers.
Tom YamachikaSeptember 02, 2025
Derelict Wahiawā property slated for demolition following dog attack
State, county lawmakers urging swift action against decrepit property after homeless man killed by dogs last weekend
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 30, 2025
Learn more about property tax savings through these open houses
The Honolulu Board of Realtors and Honolulu's Department of Budget and Fiscal Services Real Property Assessment Division, or RPAD, have free open houses planned in an effort to help O‘ahu homeowners learn more about home exemptions.
Stephanie SalmonsAugust 29, 2025
CONGRESS WATCH: Hawai‘i lawmakers commemorate Mauna Loa Observatory as lease expiration looms
NOAA lease for MLO support office will expire Sunday, while Hawai‘i delegation introduces resolution pledging continued support for the facility.
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 29, 2025
UPDATED Horse rescue group floats County horse rescue program
County Council committee cancels discussion of resolution to form Humane Society-like program for horses
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 28, 2025