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: Complete this Word Find for a hidden message
A creative recap of the past year by the Tax Foundation of Hawai‘i with 26 key words and phrases having to do with government.
Tom YamachikaJanuary 08, 2026
Community Voices: OHA’s 2026 Legislative priorities
"The state legislative session that opens on the third Wednesday in January is particularly important for advancing policies that improve the conditions of Native Hawaiians and defending against attacks on Native Hawaiian rights."
Leināʻala LeyJanuary 06, 2026
Community Voices: Three simple resolutions for Hawaiʻi lawmakers in 2026
And if they stick to them, this year could be a great one for everyone who lives and works in Hawaiʻi.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.January 06, 2026
Community Voices: The tax side of charitable giving in Hawai‘i
Is your giving deductible, or not? It depends. The Tax Foundation of Hawai‘i has advice.
Tom YamachikaDecember 30, 2025
Community Voices: Gaming this year?
Gambling that the Hawai‘i state Legislature just might explore legalized — and taxed — gambling in the upcoming session, here are some of the complications lawmakers will have to keep in mind.
Tom YamachikaDecember 25, 2025
Community Voices: Collaboration, not controversy — the real story of genki balls and the Ala Wai
A Civil Beat article a few months ago looked at Hawai‘i Pacific University research suggesting that Genki Balls are ineffective. Since then, volunteers for Genki Ball days have dropped by 70%. Here, Genki Ala Wai Project leaders discuss the shortcomings of the HPU study and call for scientists and community members working together as the way forward.
Dr. Kenneth Y. Kaneshiro & Fumiko ChunDecember 19, 2025
Community Voices: There’s a new kids’ market in town
The Children’s Entrepreneur Market aims to help keiki learn about entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership through hands-on experience.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.December 18, 2025
Community Voices: Lessons from Lahaina could help Hilo recover
Although the scope of the Lahaina and Hilo fires differs, the lesson is the same: Inflexible regulations can severely delay or even prevent rebuilding. Hawai‘i County could act now to identify and work around those barriers.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.December 10, 2025
Community Voices: Restoring abundance along our Skyline
The city’s new vision to bring food, culture and connection through food access hubs.
Kealoha FoxDecember 08, 2025
Community Voices: Making a federal case out of the Green Fee
The Cruise Line Industry Association has taken the unusual step of filing suit against Hawai‘i's new Green Fee in federal court.
Tom YamachikaDecember 08, 2025
Community Voices: Pitfalls in Hawai‘i tax appeals
When the Hawai‘i state Department of Taxation audits taxpayers, it sends them guidance about the legal process. But the guidance is 20 years old, and could lead taxpayers to do the wrong things in protecting themselves.
Tom YamachikaDecember 01, 2025
Community Voices: State-funded marketing is not the answer to low tourist turnout
Tourism is a competitive, global business. Someone needs to pay for advertising to keep Hawai‘i top of mind, but it shouldn't be local taxpayers.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.November 27, 2025
Community Voices: Lighting the way to safer streets in Waipahu and ‘Ewa
Residents in these Leeward neighborhoods are about to make their bus stops and crosswalks safer in a project led by the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, aided with federal grant money.
Abbey SeitzNovember 22, 2025
Community Voices: Many of the proposed Honolulu Charter amendments actually make sense
Among the 250 charter amendment proposals submitted by the public were four from Grassroot Institute of Hawai‘i aimed at speeding up permit approvals and improving cost-of-government accountability.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.November 21, 2025
Community Voices: Student loan forgiveness gets complicated
Student loan forgiveness has been tied to working for the government or for certain nonprofits. Under new federal rules, that might depend on whether the state or local government, or nonprofit, engages in "substantial illegal activities" in the eyes of the federal government
Tom YamachikaNovember 17, 2025
Community Voices: Health care providers might be overcharging on Hawai‘i taxes
Here's how some medical bills might run afoul of Hawai‘i tax laws in overcharging on the GET.
Tom YamachikaNovember 10, 2025
Community Voices: The TATmas Tree
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is the latest state entity looking for dedicated funding via yet another increase to the Transient Accommodations Tax — but there are problems with both raising this tax repeatedly, and using it for automatic spending that never goes through the normal budgeting process. Here are some solutions.
Tom YamachikaNovember 04, 2025
Community Voices: Lahaina rebuilding inches toward progress
Maui County lawmakers have succeeded at removing some of the barriers to speedy reconstruction.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.October 29, 2025
Community Voices: Spend that money, Vought is watching
It's going to be hard to defend federal block grants for Native Hawaiian housing from budget cuts when state officials are leaving tens of millions of dollars unspent.
Tom YamachikaOctober 28, 2025
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