Opinion
Hawai‘i at 250
Hawai‘i's celebrations for the 250th anniversary of America's independence seem muted compared to those for the Bicentennial in 1976. That's a shame, argues ASD columnist Perry Arrasmith. Can't we set aside our complaints for even one day to celebrate?
Perry ArrasmithJune 29, 2026
Family, friends continue to seek justice for Amber Jackson 16 years after Kaua‘i murder
For 16 years, the murder of Amber Jackson on Kauaʻi has gone unsolved, but in December 2025, the Kaua‘i Police Department issued an arrest warrant for Gregory Glaser, wanted for second degree murder in connection with the case. ASD crime writer Christina O'Connor spoke with Amber Jackson's family and friends to learn about Jackson's life and their tireless pursuit of justice for her.
Christina O'ConnorJune 29, 2026
RIMPAC 2026: Hawaiʻi, China, and the Question Underneath
The children have soccer practice while, a few miles offshore, 31 nations rehearse a war. ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa on what Hawaiʻi trusts to keep it safe.
Sterling HigaJune 26, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: Hawai‘i’s crappy priorities
The state just announced a process for Hawai‘i’s businesses and nonprofits to apply for funding out of the new $120-million “green fee” fund. ASD editor in chief A. Kam Napier opines that we could be aiming all of that money at a single very significant environmental problem we made for ourselves right here in the Islands. Instead, it will get diluted.
A. Kam NapierJune 25, 2026
Hamada: Let me be a warning to you
ASD columnist Rick Hamada gets personal with some health news, in hopes that you'll be inspired to take better care of yourself.
Rick HamadaJune 25, 2026
Community Voices: The art of the tax deal
We, the people, have an interest in the deals that our government is making. Especially if tax money, or government resources paid for by tax money, is part of the deal.
Tom YamachikaJune 24, 2026
Legends and Spirits of Polihale
At the end of an unpaved, 5-mile road on Kaua‘i's west side is Polihale Beach. It is many things — a treasured local hangout, a visitor attraction that's gaining popularity, and, in ancient Hawaiian tradition, it is a jumping-off place for souls seeking the afterlife. Eerie stories abound about it.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJune 24, 2026
Turtle Bay Resort vs. a bee: Why the rules keep choosing luxury
An endangered bee could stall a Turtle Bay resort, writes ASD columnist Sterling Higa. A few miles down the coast, homes that start at $5.9 million are going up untouched.
Sterling HigaJune 24, 2026
Community Voices: Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi turns 25, same year U.S. turns 250
A personal invite to Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi's 25th Anniversary Gala on Sept. 4. The theme of the evening is "The Freedom to Thrive," and will bring together Grassroot’s friends from around the Islands and the country to enjoy a meal, open bar, entertainment and more.
Keliʻi AkinaJune 23, 2026
Community Voices: Legislative outcomes underscore the need for continued advocacy
Only one of the six OHA package bills introduced to directly benefit the Native Hawaiian community was ultimately transmitted to the governor for signature. Here's a rundown of the victories and losses from the 2026 legislative session, per the organization that aims to protect Native Hawaiian rights.
Leināʻala LeyJune 22, 2026
Why Hawaiʻi locks up the honey
The honey is locked up and cameras watch the lot. ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa on what Hawaiʻi bought when it stopped paying for justice.
Sterling HigaJune 20, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: Hawai‘i dodged a library bullet
Hawai‘i tried very hard to be the home of Barack Obama's presidential library. Now the thing exists in Chicago, open to the public, over budget and overwrought. ASD Editor in Chief A. Kam Napier recaps Hawai‘i's doomed quest to secure this building and gets into what the architecture of the finished project tells us.
A. Kam NapierJune 19, 2026
Beyond Tax Relief: Delivering Real Housing Solutions for Hawaiʻi
While tax relief puts vital funds back into the pockets of working families, the state cannot stem the tide of out-migration without taking aggressive action on housing.
Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, Sen. Sharon Moriwaki & and Sen. Troy HashimotoJune 18, 2026
The saga of the fountains
The fountain we all know and love near the Diamond Head end of Kapi‘iolani Park is not the first fountain in the area, nor is it in the original location of the first fountain. ASD history columnist DeSoto Brown takes us through the fountain's story, all the way back to its original source — Imperial Japan.
DeSoto BrownJune 18, 2026
Can Kauaʻi feed itself? Why food independence won't work
Food independence is a luxury belief, says ASD columnist Sterling Higa, and it is most affordable to those who have never gone hungry.
Sterling HigaJune 17, 2026
Community Voices: 'Finding landfills is never easy'
Counties face growing landfill challenges. “It’s just regular language, ʻthrow it away,’” said Allison Fraley, Solid Waste Division chief, County of Kauaʻi. “There is no ʻaway’ here on the island.”
Donalyn Dela CruzJune 17, 2026
The Choking Ghost at OCCC
As if prison wasn't scary enough, prisoners and guards alike at O‘ahu Community Correctional Center have many tales of a choking ghost stalking the facility, as well as other apparitions.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJune 17, 2026
Hamada: Commemorating Honouliuli
Events coming up this weekend recognize the 80th anniversary of the closing of the Honouliuli Internment Camp, where up to 1,800 Japanese and Japanese Americans were detained during World War II. ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada gives an overview of the history of the site, and the steps taken in the years after to attempt to right that wrong.
Rick HamadaJune 17, 2026
Community Voices: Defending the First Amendment
New law, known as Act 11, will prohibit groups you might normally think of as representing you from saying anything about candidates for public office, ballot measures or political parties. Learn more about the lawsuit filed by Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi.
Keliʻi AkinaJune 16, 2026
Letter to the Editor: 2019 newspaper clipping confirms pronunciation of Molokai
An ASD reader writes in to say mahalo and share the newspaper clipping she keeps in her own Mary Pukui Hawaiian Dictionary.
Letters to the EditorJune 16, 2026
Community Voices: Medicaid Fraud Control
Hawaiʻi's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit was recently called a “complete disgrace" by Vice President J.D. Vance and was decertified. In response, Gov. Josh Green announced that he would create an “independent Medicaid Fraud Strike Force” whose mission is "to help identify waste, fraud and abuse, recommend corrective actions, assist in the recovery of taxpayer dollars where appropriate and strengthen systems designed to protect Medicaid recipients and public funds.” Let's hope this action catches the bad actors.
Tom YamachikaJune 16, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: State blowing it on convention center
Hawai‘i lawmakers seem to think they own the only convention center on Earth, because their approach to investing in the Hawai‘i Convention Center ignores any sense of the marketplace. Towns the size of Hawaii‘i, in terms of population and visitor counts, are investing hundreds of millions in their facilities just to keep up with what the convention market wants, while we cheap out on the cost of fixing leaks.
A. Kam NapierJune 16, 2026
Molokaʻi or Molokai, and why? ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi speakers, community share manaʻo
Aloha State Daily revisits the Molokaʻi or Molokai debate over the spelling and pronunciation of the place name — with or without an ʻokina — initially for our own house style guide used across the website. Here’s what we learned from community members statewide.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 13, 2026
Coming soon, for six years
Maui County promised a new zoning code on a six-year timeline, notes ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa. The six years are up, the website says “coming soon,” and the County is calling for a fresh start.
Sterling HigaJune 12, 2026