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: Idle Land and Natural Resources funds
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has racked up some unencumbered balances from its State Parks Special Fund, the Special Land and Development Fund, the Turtle Bay Conservation Easement Special Fund, and more.
Tom YamachikaFebruary 10, 2026
Community Voices: The kind of playbook Hawaiʻi lawmakers need
State and county lawmakers have started taking small steps to lift some of the many regulations that have stifled homebuilding in Hawaiʻi, but bold action is needed to pare back decades of bad policy.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.February 10, 2026
Letter to the Editor: Remembering Bob Krauss
Krauss had influence on Hawaiʻi politics, culture and more, including family.
Letters to the EditorFebruary 10, 2026
Community Voices: Maintaining Hilo's Keaukaha Beach Park
A recent cleanup at Puhi Bay was initiated to utilize community resources and ʻike to support the park's transition into community-driven management. Discussions remain ongoing between Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Keaukaha Community Association, which helped organize the event called “People for Puhi,” along with the group, Kānewala.
Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi February 10, 2026
Community Voices: Beyond the poverty line: Why income alone doesn't tell Hawaiʻi's economic story
Several states and regions have created multidimensional poverty measures tailored to their specific contexts. Hawaiʻi could do the same.
Corey IdleburgFebruary 07, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: Economic diagnosis déjà vu
Something about the new report from UHERO about Hawai‘iʻs weak economy seemed awfully familiar ... namely, everything. Here are things you need to know about what's been going on for decades and what you can do about it.
A. Kam NapierFebruary 06, 2026
Hamada: Look after your heart for American Heart Month
Three guests on my show recently shared personal and professional stories of how heart disease impacts all of our lives in Hawai‘i.
Rick HamadaFebruary 04, 2026
Residual spirits at Morgan’s Corner
Arguably the most famous haunted place on O‘ahu is Morgan's Corner in Nu‘uanu. Do you know the real story behind it? Turns out, there's more than one possible explanation for the things seen and presences felt where life and death intersect on Nu‘uanu Pali Drive.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiFebruary 04, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: Shopping Carts II — This time, it's buy-back!
The bill to punish businesses when their shopping carts get stolen and abandoned moved forward, and got weirder.
A. Kam NapierFebruary 04, 2026
Community Voices: Bringing hula to Kentucky
As an alakaʻi of Kumu Kawika Keikialiʻi Alfiche, Kaila Chung has led Hui Kaululehua in Louisville since 2022.
Megan Ulu-Lani BoyantonFebruary 04, 2026
Community Voices: Tax versus Judiciary
There are two Hawaiʻi Supreme Court cases pending that involve fights over the extent to which courts can get involved with the Department of Taxation.
Tom YamachikaFebruary 03, 2026
Community Voices: Honolulu’s economic revitalization office has revitalized very little
Ultimately, this should come as a shock to no one.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.February 02, 2026