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: With housing, let's have an intergenerational conversation
On Oct. 28, Housing Hawai‘i's Future will host a conversation among the seven living generations who call Hawai‘i home, because housing — and Hawai‘i's lack of affordable housing — affects everyone. Come join the conversation.
Lee WangOctober 25, 2025
Community Voices: Rail is a fail; who’s going to hit the brakes?
We don't know yet just how late and over budget the Honolulu Skyline rail system will be. We do know that its annual budget is growing by nearly 10% a year and city officials are talking about any number of rail extensions. Maybe it's time to let the public drive this train and put such decisions to a vote.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.October 21, 2025
Community Voices: Even More TANF Hoarding
While federal cuts to spending on the states for social service gets headlines, the fact is, Hawai‘i has been letting federal money sit unspent — more than $400 million so far. Here's what the money could help with in the Islands if the state would only use it.
Tom YamachikaOctober 21, 2025
Community Voices: Rebelling against the culture of silence
Too often, state government operates behind walls of consensus and secrecy that leave the public in the dark.
Tom YamachikaOctober 14, 2025
Community Voices: Erasing progress not the way to move forward
Last year, state lawmakers passed Act 39, a major piece of housing reform — but the state's most populous county is trying to get that legislation overturned.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.October 09, 2025
Community Voices: Nonresident withholding, six years later
State legislators passed a law six years ago impacting any partnership, estate or trust operating in Hawai‘i to withhold taxes for nonresident partners. Now the state Department of Taxation has finally issued the rules to start collecting. Here's what you need to know.
Tom YamachikaOctober 07, 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
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
Community Voices: Empowering the diaspora in the Pacific Northwest
“No matter how long you’ve been away from home, it’s still home,” says Leialoha Kaula.
Megan Ulu-Lani BoyantonSeptember 29, 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
Community Voices: Geothermal energy — solution or sacrilege?
The subject of geothermal energy has long divided the Native Hawaiian community. Proponents cite energy sovereignty and decreased reliance on foreign oil. Opponents point to the genealogical, cultural and spiritual ties that many Hawaiians have to Pele.
Cedric DuarteSeptember 23, 2025
Letter to the Editor: 'We're already fighting a civil war'
"Even if you don't believe in God, how can you argue against these 10 basic rules for living?"
Letters to the EditorSeptember 17, 2025