Opinion
Talking story about values.
The staff reporters at Aloha State Daily have a clear mission on the news side of the house: to tell you what happened, not what to think or how to feel about what happened. Here in the opinion section, we want to talk story about values — what we think Hawai‘i should do, or should not do, and why. This is where we welcome informed debate and where people can argue for their perspective.
Community Voices: Another chance to make things right on civil asset forfeiture
A plea for Gov. Josh Green to sign into law HB126, which would limit civil asset forfeiture to only cases in which the property owners have been charged with a crime.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.May 14, 2025
Community Voices: Your Zip code shouldn’t determine your access to mental health care
This Mental Health Awareness Month, we must confront the reality that where you live can define whether you receive life-saving care or none at all.
Amanda Pump and Michael Young & Child & Family ServiceMay 08, 2025
Community Voices: Partnering is a proven process for building stronger teams, securing better outcomes and preventing disputes
For organizations looking to improve internal alignment, stakeholder engagement, and/or internal or external collaboration, this structured, facilitation-based process offers a compelling alternative to traditional problem-solving and strategic planning models.
Gerald “Jerry” ClayMay 08, 2025
Community Voices: Legislature on a housing-reform streak
Bills were passed this session that would cut back on the school impact fees, permitting delays, and layers of rules that impede housing.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.May 07, 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
Community Voices: Small victory
This session, the Legislature eliminated a procedural trap that kept taxpayers from being to appeal to the Tax Appeal Court. Here's what that issue was all about.
Tom YamachikaApril 28, 2025
Community Voices: Backyard Kuleana 2025 – When the systems fail, we must return to each other
We are looking at a collapse of many systems that our communities rely upon to sustain themselves. We will all need to step up our service going forward. Here, I share more about that forward-looking evolution.
Keone KealohaApril 21, 2025
Community Voices: Fearing federal cuts, state looks to axe tax credits
Renters, landlords, business owners and more should watch out for House Bill 1369, which the Tax Foundation of Hawai‘i has dubbed the "Category Killer," for the categories of tax exemptions and credits it seeks to eliminate.
Tom YamachikaApril 21, 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 Akina & Ph.D.April 20, 2025
Community Voices: Presidential proclamation balances ocean protection and sustainable commercial tuna fishing
This viewpoint from the Hawai‘i Longline Association makes a case that President Donald Trump's reopening of commercial fishing grounds around Pacific islands is good for local consumers and industry, which use more sustainable methods than do foreign fishing fleets.
Eric KingmaApril 19, 2025
Community Voices: Persistence amid permit issues to hold services at Waikīkī Beach
Waikīkī Beach Chaplaincy has served the community surrounding the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waīkikī Beach Resort for 55 years. Last month, the chaplaincy received a “Cease and Desist Order” from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources for its Easter and weekly services. Pastor David “Waxer” Tipton, director and president of the chaplaincy since 2021, shares how the organization is handling permitting pitfalls this year.
David "Waxer" TiptonApril 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