Government & Politics
News
Maui County hosted free community event in Lahaina, three years since the wildfires
Three years after the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires, the Lahaina community gathered in remembrance during an all-day event Saturday put on by the county and its volunteers. This year, Kuhinia Maui featured live music, free activities, meals and more, held at Lahaina United Methodist Church near Front Street.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosAugust 09, 2026
Case, Tokuda, keep seats after blowout primary
Early results from the state primary elections indicate an all-but-assured victory for Hawai‘i's incumbent representatives.
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 09, 2026
Lahaina banyan tree to remain fenced off for two more years
The 153-year-old tree was damaged by the heat produced in the August 2023 wildfires but remained largely unburned.
Stephanie SalmonsAugust 08, 2026
Lahaina harbor dredging project nearly half done
More than 8,300 cubic yards of material dredged from fire-damaged harbor
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 08, 2026
Three years after wildfires, here's what's changed at Maui Emergency Management Agency
Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett stepped into the role in January 2024, just months after wildfires devastated parts of the Valley Isle in August 2023.
Stephanie SalmonsAugust 08, 2026
The breakthrough that Hawai‘i needs: Measuring what leaders do
It’s time for a change. Leadership is more than charisma or slogans; it requires choosing real problems and acting with enough integrity and reasonableness that the public can judge results fairly. ASD introduces a new data-driven opinion column to help readers understand what works in Hawai‘i, what doesn't, and how we stack up against other states.
Peter S. Adler & PhDAugust 08, 2026
Compassion leads Regina DoDaro's approach to Hawaiʻi Island animal control
Regina DoDaro took the helm of the Hawaiʻi County's Animal Control and Protection Agency on Aug. 3.
Haley LehmanAugust 07, 2026
Lahaina, three years after the fires
It's been three years since wildfires destroyed much of Lahaina Town. Recovery is still underway but work to rebuild is progressing.
Stephanie SalmonsAugust 07, 2026
Honolulu DPP requires use of AI tool for residential project permit applications
The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting announced this week that applicants will be required to use an artificial intelligence tool to submit residential project permit applications. Julia Fink, executive vice president of AIA Honolulu, shared with ASD why the organization is advocating for this AI.
Haley LehmanAugust 07, 2026
DLNR proposing stricter wildlife conservation rules
Harassing native wildlife to be prohibited under proposed rules.
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 06, 2026
In Hawai‘i, where are the multimember districts?
Election season is a good time to ask — why doesn't Hawai‘i go back to having multimember districts? In a such a system, more of Hawai‘i's voters would have representation in the state Legislature.
Perry ArrasmithAugust 05, 2026
The races to watch
ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada talks about the races he's most closely watching in the upcoming Primary Election. Is it going to be Case or Keohokalole? Tokuda or Awa? What about the LG's race? And he has questions for you about the elections and politics in Hawai‘i for further discussion.
Rick HamadaAugust 05, 2026
Crews start Mānoa Stream flood mitigation
Crews started work on the Mānoa Stream this week in an effort to improve water flow, reduce potential flooding risks and maintain the functionality of Oʻahu's drainage system.
Haley LehmanAugust 05, 2026
David Shapiro hits a triple bogey
A freshman legislator is handed a budget the size of a phone book and told to master it. ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa on why the cure for corruption is shrinking the prize, not rewriting the rules.
Sterling HigaAugust 04, 2026
Nānākuli High and Intermediate School to get police School Resource Officers
Nearly three years ago, Kaui Asinsin started advocating for the creation of a School Resource Officer program in Nānākuli. The Hawaiʻi Department of Education and Honolulu Police Department announced the expansion of the pilot program to include Nānākuli High and Intermediate School on Friday morning.
Haley LehmanAugust 01, 2026
Green makes appointments to Hawaiian Homes, Campaign Spending, Ethics commissions
Among the appointees, Green reappointed Kali Watson as chair of the Hawaiian Homes Commission.
Stephanie SalmonsAugust 01, 2026
'Slow down': New school year brings new speeds in school zones
The Department of Transportation Services is updating traffic signs across Oʻahu to reflect speed limits of 20 miles per hour in school zones from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on school days.
Haley LehmanJuly 31, 2026
Hawaiʻi officials accused of bribery plead not guilty
Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, former Rep. Ryan Yamane, lobbyist Tobi Solidum, former chair of the state Public Utilities Commission Leodoloff Asuncion Jr., and Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Airports Administrator Ford Fuchigami pleaded not guilty to corruption charges Thursday morning.
Haley LehmanJuly 31, 2026
Kapa‘a Quarry landfill plan spurs pushback
Plan to repeal landfill restrictions to build a landfill at the Kapa‘a Quarry already controversial
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 29, 2026
Hamada: Hot takes on bribery, Tommy Waters, Hāna Highway confrontation
With so much in the news, ASD opinion columnist weighs in on the state's bribery scandal, Tommy Waters' attempt at a third term and a recent ugly confrontation between locals and tourists in the Hāna Highway.
Rick HamadaJuly 29, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: Fauci revealed as fear-mongering, fame-loving fraud
It's not getting much media attention, but the private diaries of Dr. Anthony Fauci have been published online by Sen. Rand Paul in advance of his hearings this week into Fauci and Covid-19. What they reveal across thousands of pages is man in love with the adulation he received, who privately knew that many of things he said publicly about the pandemic were wild exaggerations.
A. Kam NapierJuly 29, 2026
State airports administrator on paid leave following bribery indictment
Ford Fuchigami will appear in court Thursday along with Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 29, 2026
Tommy Waters term limits ruling: Why the Council Chair should step aside
A judge ruled Monday that Tommy Waters has already served his two terms — while voters were filling out ballots bearing his name. ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa on the difference between fighting for the people within the law and fighting the people with it.
Sterling HigaJuly 29, 2026
Community Voices: The one-dollar solution
Under the state constitution, surpluses are supposed to be returned to Hawai‘i's taxpayers. Here are some of the games lawmakers and governors play so that the amount returned is always, somehow, just a dollar.
Tom YamachikaJuly 28, 2026