Viewpoints
Expert takes and informed perspectives.
Here you’ll find recurring and one-time local commentary on Hawai‘i’s most pressing community and policy issues. We seek out in-depth analysis, solution-driven views and special expertise. If there’s something on your mind that you’re an expert on, email the editor at kam@alohastatedaily.com for consideration.
Community Voices: OHA documentary examines history, asks about future of military-leased lands
Learn more about "the history of U.S. military use of Hawaiʻi’s public trust lands and the consequential decisions approaching as longstanding military leases begin to expire," from The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The premiere of the organization's documentary "Held in Trust: The Future of Hawaiʻi’s Public Lands Beyond Military Leases," will air at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 8 across television stations statewide, as well as via live stream on its site.
Bill BrennanOctober 01, 2026
Community Voices: A (mostly) geological history of Puna
Even when looking at recent flows while driving around the Big Island today, most don’t realize that the rocky landscape is a gift from Pele, writes longtime Volcano resident Bobby Camara. "We should not attempt to exert our will on Pele. She must be accommodated, and we are the ones who must adjust to new realities."
Bobby CamaraSeptember 21, 2026
Community Voices: The widespread implications of the demographic cliff for Hawai’i
HPU Provost and Senior Vice President Alan Shoho believes the demographic enrollment cliff is here. The question remains: what will Hawai’i do to mitigate its adverse effects and ensure a softer landing? Shoho shares why this is worrisome for local leaders, and how taking notes from other states could help.
Alan ShohoSeptember 17, 2026
Hawaiian History Month: A Month to Remember, A Year to Celebrate
This year’s celebration features living history performances, panel discussions, cultural demonstrations and more that bring Hawaiʻi’s history to life. See the list of remaining events this month.
Ka Wai Ola StaffSeptember 17, 2026
Community Voices: Hawai‘i's elections watchdog has been locked out of its own room
Two members of the Hawai‘i Elections Commission want readers to know that their office has been prevented from meeting, even as voters have endured an election marred by irregularities.
Tamara McKay & Ralph S. CushnieSeptember 11, 2026
Community Voices: Hawaiʻi's housing affordability problem
Permit reform is a supply problem. What Hawaiʻi has is a price problem.
Corey IdleburgSeptember 08, 2026
Community Voices: Protecting Papahānaumokuākea
James Morioka, executive director of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project, reflects on hope, resilience, and the fight against marine debris following the organization's recent excursion to removes tons of debris from Hawai‘i's Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. To date, the group has removed 1.3 million pounds of debris in its first six years of operation.
James MoriokaSeptember 03, 2026
Community Voices: A Denver dad carries his kūpuna with him
Timothy Lot Kamaka Kamanā grew up in Honolulu connected to music through his family's ʻukulele business, Kamaka Hawaiʻi, with dreams of becoming a professional athlete. He traveled to the Mainland for greater opportunity and now with a second keiki on the way, is hopeful to return to the ʻāina.
Megan Ulu-Lani BoyantonSeptember 01, 2026
Community Voices: What nobody tells you before you buy a condo in Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi condominium prices may look manageable compared to single-family homes. The carrying costs are another story.
Corey IdleburgSeptember 01, 2026
Community Voices: Waimea Valley, a cultural treasure preserved for community
Waimea is a wahi kapu with a storied history that dates back a thousand years. An understanding of this is what its stewards hope to share with those who visit the valley — and what they hope that those who visit will take home.
Puanani Fernandez-AkamineAugust 24, 2026
Community Voices: Returning to Mākua
While visiting cemeteries is a common tradition in many cultures to honor loved ones, Aunty Muriel “Puni” Ioane cannot access the graves of her own ancestors whose ties to Mākua span generations.
Hannah Kaʻiulani CoburnAugust 18, 2026
Community Voices: Punahou student raises concerns about Palantir Technologies in Honolulu
Zane Dalgamouni, a 15-year-old student at Punahou, fears a future where his every move is watched and free speech is threatened. He concludes, "We do not have to accept a future dictated by unaccountable tech giants," including Palantir Technologies, a Miami-headquartered corporation that is hiring now in the Islands.
Zane DalgamouniAugust 10, 2026
Community Voices: Seattle artist reclaims culture through kapa making
“I’m not trying to gatekeep knowledge,” she said of her school and work experience both on the Mainland and on Oʻahu. “I’m trying to share it as much as possible.”
Megan Ulu-Lani BoyantonAugust 04, 2026
Community Voices: Giving Kūpeke Back to Itself
Located on the east end of Molokai, the ahupuaʻa of Kūpeke includes about 300 acres, from the top of the mountain to the shoreline and out to the fishpond wall. Laʻa Poepoe’s stewardship of Kūpeke is the confluence of his Molokai lineage, aloha for his community, a passion to mālama ʻāina, an unshakable work ethic, and his foresight.
Puanani Fernandez-Akamine & Hannah Kaʻiulani CoburnJuly 31, 2026
Community Voices: Molokai is ready for another option
Lānaʻi Air will begin flying between Oʻahu and Molokai in September.
Philamer FelicitasJuly 14, 2026
Community Voices: The luxury tourism myth
Many voices call for Hawai‘i's tourism industry to attract fewer, wealthier customers. Hospitality industry veteran Dan Wacksman explains why Hawaiʻi can't simply replace millions of visitors with millionaires
Dan WacksmanJuly 10, 2026
Community Voices: By Restoring Our Reefs We Restore Ourselves
When corals are ripped out, we lose more than coral — we lose shelter for reef life, habitat for fish, and part of the reef’s natural ability to take the punch out of waves before they reach our shoreline. That loss affects our food systems, livelihoods and community health, says Alika Peleholani Garcia, executive director of Kuleana Coral Restoration.
Alika Peleholani GarciaJuly 08, 2026
Community Voices: Are your trees ready for hurricane season?
As hurricane season unfolds, it's worth remembering that preparing for storms isn't only about what we store in our closets or garages. It's also about caring for the living infrastructure that surrounds us.
Daniel Dinell & Carol KwanJuly 03, 2026
From Waipahu to Italy: Remembering Staff Sgt. Grover Kazutomi Nagaji
Born and raised in Waipahu, Nagaji joined the U.S. Army on March 25, 1943. He became a proud member of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), 34th Infantry Division, and trained at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. One year later, he was deployed to Europe, where he saw action in Italy as part of the Allied campaign against German forces.
John DekhaneJuly 03, 2026
Community Voices: Commercial fishing is not a cultural practice
Rather than framing ocean protection as a burden, we should instead ask why Pacific Island peoples, and our protected and sacred oceans, are forced to bear the unfair burden of industrial fishing, write two members of the Papahānaumokuākea Native Hawaiian Cultural Working Group.
Hau‘oli Lorenzo-Elarco and Kenika Lorenzo-ElarcoJuly 01, 2026
Community Voices: Why homeownership matters for Hawaiʻi's future
As affordability challenges continue to shape the housing conversation, expanding access to education, resources and pathways to ownership remains critical for local residents — and the Realtors who represent them.
Suzanne YoungJune 30, 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
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
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