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John Berry is living his dream, again

John Berry is living his dream, again

The new Honolulu Zoo Director John Berry took the role in July and said he is living his dream. Aloha State Daily caught up with Berry and some of his favorite zoo residents on Tuesday at the zoo.

Haley LehmanAugust 20, 2026

Community Voices: Will sky-high Skyline costs ever stop climbing?

Community Voices: Will sky-high Skyline costs ever stop climbing?

"So far, every request for more money or an extension of the county’s general excise tax surcharge has come with detailed justification," writes Keli‘i Akina. "What we haven’t seen is any attempt to reassure taxpayers that fiscal accountability is an important part of the plan."

Keliʻi AkinaAugust 19, 2026

Hamada: Lack of investment in infrastructure taking a toll

Hamada: Lack of investment in infrastructure taking a toll

This state has never had a money problem, it's had a problem setting priorities to deliver the basics and we pay the price every time a storm strains the system.

Rick HamadaAugust 19, 2026

Community Voices: Honolulu Special Funds

Community Voices: Honolulu Special Funds

Agencies that can spend money from special funds tend to spend them with little or no legislative oversight, and it becomes harder for the Legislature and the public to keep track of the money the more special funds there are, according to Tom Yamachika, president of Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi.

Tom YamachikaAugust 18, 2026

State, federal funding sought for Lala recovery

State, federal funding sought for Lala recovery

Gov. Green promised "significant appropriations" for road repairs in Ka‘u this year.

Michael BrestovanskyAugust 18, 2026

Environmental groups file lawsuit against Interior Secretary, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Environmental groups file lawsuit against Interior Secretary, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Seven environmental groups filed a lawsuit against Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service alleging that the new Critical Habitat Exclusion Rule prioritizes economic development over environmental protections. The Interior Department wrote that they stand by the regulation.

Haley LehmanAugust 17, 2026

Honolulu City Council considers lowering motor vehicle weight tax

Honolulu City Council considers lowering motor vehicle weight tax

Bill 47, proposed by Chair Tommy Waters, aims to lower the motor vehicle weight tax by 1.5 cents per pound.

Haley LehmanAugust 13, 2026

Community Voices: Taxation of Envy

Community Voices: Taxation of Envy

Local media points to the recent enactment of the millionaires’ 13% tax bracket as evidence of lawmakers making “the wealthy” pay their “fair share.” It may be a millionaire’s tax today, Tom Yamachika argues; however, next year and beyond, it could change to a tax on half a million because those people are “wealthy.”

Tom YamachikaAugust 13, 2026

LALA UPDATE: Government offices, public schools reopen Tuesday on Honolulu, Maui, Kauaʻi counties

LALA UPDATE: Government offices, public schools reopen Tuesday on Honolulu, Maui, Kauaʻi counties

Government offices and schools will remain closed on Tuesday, Aug. 18 for Hawaiʻi County. Here are the latest state and county updates.

Michael Brestovansky & Haley LehmanAugust 12, 2026

Maui County Council votes to expand fare-free bus access

Maui County Council votes to expand fare-free bus access

Bill 95 expands eligibility for the fare-free bus access program to include more residents and gives authorization to the county's the director of transportation to suspend enforcement of fares for special events, parades or emergency closures for up to 14 days in a fiscal year.

Haley LehmanAugust 12, 2026

What Hawai‘i’s 1954 Democratic Party platform says about today

What Hawai‘i’s 1954 Democratic Party platform says about today

Hawai‘i has been a virtual one-party state since statehood, but how did that happen? ASD political historian Perry Arrasmith explores how, with a look at the local Democratic Party's 1954 platform and a comparison with the party's current priorities.

Perry ArrasmithAugust 11, 2026

Community Voices: Grassroot still stands with Lahaina, three years later

Community Voices: Grassroot still stands with Lahaina, three years later

"I’m not sure I believe Hawaiʻi residents are losing interest in Lahaina," writes Keli‘i Akina on the day of the three-year anniversary of the Maui wildfires. "As president of the Grassroot Institute, I promise you that our team remains as committed as ever to Maui’s recovery."

Keliʻi AkinaAugust 11, 2026

Office of Economic Revitalization slated to close Friday

Office of Economic Revitalization slated to close Friday

The City and County of Honolulu Office of Revitalization announced Aug. 7 that it will close on Friday, Aug. 14, after the Honolulu City Council cut the office’s budget by $2 million.

Haley LehmanAugust 11, 2026

Palantir protest draws mid-sized crowd to Bishop and Queen streets

Palantir protest draws mid-sized crowd to Bishop and Queen streets

Organized by ACLU of Hawaiʻi and Indivisible Hawaiʻi, among others in the community, a peaceful protest was held Monday outside of Pacific Guardian Center, where Palantir Technologies has operated as an unlisted tenant for nearly a year.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosAugust 11, 2026

Maui, Kaua‘i counties sued over 2024 election data

Maui, Kaua‘i counties sued over 2024 election data

Federal lawsuit latest in series of legal challenges surrounding the state's and counties' handling of 2024 election data.

Michael BrestovanskyAugust 11, 2026

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