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: Where’s your second tax return?
If passed, HB2429 would require you to file not just one tax return but two — and one of them will be open to the public.
Tom YamachikaMarch 30, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: Who says “Honolulu wants an anti-ICE police chief?”
Advocacy journalism from Civil Beat last week asserts that the whole city wants the next HPD chief of police to be a political warrior. Does it? Seems the next chief has their work cut out for them on improving the basics. Here's data on how HPD performs at clearing crimes.
A. Kam NapierMarch 30, 2026
Community Voices: The first coconut grove planted on Maui in over 100 years
The idea for Uluniu o Kapuawailana emerged about two years ago when Collier crossed paths with Niu Now members Indrajit Gunasekara, Kekaula Hanohano and Jesse Mikasobe-Kealiinohomoku. Together, they envisioned a way to reconnect people with coconut as a cultural responsibility and a foundation of food sovereignty.
Annabelle Le JeuneMarch 30, 2026
Community Voices: The Legislature found $150 million. So where’s our tax relief?
Gov. Josh Green kicked off this year’s session claiming the state’s budget crunch is so bad that it justifies “pausing” the phase-in of the historic income tax cuts he signed into law in 2024. If that’s true, why has the Legislature put forth a budget that blows past his suggested spending by more than $195 million?
Keliʻi AkinaMarch 30, 2026
Hawai‘i's celebrity politicians
From Duke Kahanamoku to Herman Wedemeyer to Augie Tulba, there have been local celebrities who have added one more role to resume — politician. ASD columnist Perry Arrasmith walks us through the legends.
Perry ArrasmithMarch 27, 2026
Who controls the rain?
Conspiracy theories fell like raindrops, even as the Kona Low system pummeled the Islands. ASD columnist Sterling Higa digs into what it means as people search for answers to calamity.
Sterling HigaMarch 26, 2026
The Mana of King Lunalilo
On his deathbed, King William Charles Lunalilo expressed a wish to be buried among his people rather than among the kings and chiefs and so he was interred in a tomb at Kawaiaha‘o Church. That's where the author personally had a profound experience of an otherworldly nature.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiMarch 25, 2026
Hamada: Beware the scammers who take advantage of bad times
In the wake of a calamity like the Kona Low floods, people generously step up to help — while others wickedly step up to steal. ASD columnist Rick Hamada has advice for how to avoid charitable giving scams.
Rick HamadaMarch 25, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: The climate change dodge
Hawai‘i lawmakers are advancing a bill that would allow insurers to sue fossil fuel companies when they have to make big payouts for disasters allegedly caused by climate change. What they really aim to do, however, is shield local government and powerful interests from accountability for any role they themselves may have played.
A. Kam NapierMarch 24, 2026
Community Voices: Building pilina on the Continent
Oregon- and Washington-serving nonprofit Olekona Hawaiian Civic Club's vision continues to center on Prince Kūhiō’s call to uplift the lāhui beyond the pae ʻāina. This is accomplished through scholarships, support for Native Hawaiian artists and businesses, increased access to health and traditional food services, the opening of spaces to learn mele, hula, oli, and traditional crafts, and culturally immersive summer programs.
Jayden Kepoʻo-CaspinoMarch 24, 2026
Community Voices: Halftime report on tax bills
Gambling and recreational marijuana bills are dead but plenty of other new tax increases and incentives are still alive as bills cross over in the Hawai‘i state Legislature.
Tom YamachikaMarch 24, 2026
"Puh, Puh, Punahou"
ASD columnist Sterling Higa has three words for kama‘āina who hide their private school background — cut it out!
Sterling HigaMarch 23, 2026
Community Voices: Is the Jones Act finally sinking?
President Donald Trump recently issued a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act and within 24 hours, foreign ships were being chartered to carry essential goods. When nearly every emergency, from hurricanes to military action, raises the need for a Jones Act waiver, it is time to stop issuing temporary waivers and start looking at permanent reform.
Keliʻi AkinaMarch 23, 2026
Uncles and Aunties: Diane Harding, president of the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle
In a journey that has taken her from Kāne‘ohe to Boston and back, Diane Harding spent 40 years developing geophysics software for such projects as undersea cable across the Pacific. Now, as president of the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle, she tends to the beauty of the Islands.
Cheryl Chee TsutsumiMarch 23, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: Hawai‘i is hypocritical about vice
Yesterday's rally at the State Capitol against disposable vapes is an example of how lawmakers approach vices with a dazzling mix of inconsistency, hypocrisy and amnesia over the laws they've already passed.
A. Kam NapierMarch 19, 2026
The ghost dog at Kukui Plaza
Sightings, decades apart, of a ghostly dog suggest that an enduring presence roams the area of Downtown Honolulu that now houses Kukui Plaza.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiMarch 18, 2026
Hamada: Anyone up for "Singin' in the Rain?"
Our recent roundup of Hawai‘i films to watch when kept indoors had ASD columnist Rick Hamada reflecting on his own favorites.
Rick HamadaMarch 18, 2026
What the Carpenters couldn't buy
ASD columnist Sterling Higa writes that the PAC of the Carpenters Union has spent millions opposing candidates who have opposed rail spending, including Sylvia Luke. Now that she's politically vulnerable and facing challengers, the union might be getting what it wants.
Sterling HigaMarch 18, 2026
Community Voices: Housing bills looked like winners, until they didn’t
This is regrettable not just because of what it means for Hawaiʻi’s ongoing housing crisis, but also because of the way it happened.
Keliʻi AkinaMarch 18, 2026
Community Voices: Threats to Greenland recall the annexation of Hawaiʻi
In Nuuk, the capital of Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland), thousands gathered in what the Naalakkersuisut (the Greenlandic government) described as the largest protest in the country’s history. Similarly, Kanaka Maoli march annually to mark 133 years since the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. For both island homelands, foreign powers attempt to determine their futures.
Adam Keawe Manalo-CampMarch 17, 2026
Community Voices: A taxing debate
House and Senate bills in motion, if adopted, will define our state income taxes for the next several years. Letʻs take a closer look.
Tom YamachikaMarch 17, 2026
The ladder and the helicopter
ASD columnist Sterling Higa finds a lot to admire in how people responded to the weekend's storm and flooding. Not just among professionals such as the Honolulu Fire Department and the work crews of Hawaiian Electric, but among everyday citizens whose own preparations meant that they could help each other.
Sterling HigaMarch 16, 2026
Aloha State Daily passes 10,000 Instagram followers
Social media is just one of the ways to keep up with us. Here are some of your options for being part of the Aloha State Daily story.
A. Kam NapierMarch 16, 2026
The not-so-harmless fun of ripping Pokémon packs
A gambling aspect has crept into even childhood diversions, writes ASD columnist Sterling Higa, as if nothing can be enjoyable if it doesn't contain a chance to win big.
Sterling HigaMarch 13, 2026