Column: HECO securitization plan needs vetting before green light
Confusion remains around Senate Bill 2922, a proposed measure that would allow Hawaiian Electric to securitize ratepayer funds for wildfire mitigation. Read more
Confusion remains around Senate Bill 2922, a proposed measure that would allow Hawaiian Electric to securitize ratepayer funds for wildfire mitigation. Read more
It’s no surprise that people sometimes pander to those with power over doing what is right for institutions and the public. It is, however, disappointing and distasteful when those in the public eye attempt to cover up that behavior. Read more
When the YWCA abruptly announced termination of the Laniakea Health & Wellness program, it unleashed a passionate response from members who are deeply committed to the program and the historic Laniakea property, located on Richards Street, in the Capitol district. Read more
Nine deaths per day. That’s how many people tragically die on our roadways across our nation because of distracted driving, according to the National Safety Council. Read more
In the face of an escalating climate crisis, curbing carbon emissions and expanding climate change mitigation strategies is an urgent priority. Read more
Invasive species, such as the little fire ants and coconut rhinoceros beetles, have been making headlines recently and for good reason. Read more
A recent study by the scientists responsible for analyzing the status of the tuna fisheries of the western Pacific concluded that such large MPAs would lead to less than 5% increase in the abundance of tuna while providing no increase in catch. Read more
The perilous state of American Samoa’s last tuna cannery is an outcome that experts have long warned about. Read more
Hawaii’s child care industry is in crisis. Before the pandemic, parents placed infants on long waitlists for child care. Read more
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On Feb. 18, our commentary in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser featured Lahaina’s united call for the governor to appoint, and our Senate to confirm, to the state Commission on Water Resource Management a true loea — an expert — in Native Hawaiian resource management (“Water agency needs Hawaiian expert,” Island Voices). Read more
Contrary to popular belief, jaywalking laws do little to improve roadway safety. Read more
The Hawaii Legislature is considering two bills related to short-term rentals: Senate Bill 2919 and House Bill 1838 would allow counties to effectively ban legal short-term property rentals. Read more
Facts are facts. The majority of short-term rentals (STRs) in Hawaii are illegal, mostly owned by nonresidents, contribute to skyrocketing housing costs by turning our homes into illegal hotels for speculators, and most of us who live in Hawaii don’t want them here. Read more
Last year, we saw firsthand the devastating consequences of not being attentive to ‘aina, when raging fires on Maui and Hawaii island caused unprecedented destruction. Read more
Hawaii became the first state in the country to set an ambitious goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 when Gov. David Ige passed House Bill 623 in 2015. Read more
A bill for the commercial legalization of marijuana advanced further than before at the state Legislature this session. Read more
Burning anything in large quantities is harmful to the environment and harmful to human health because burning releases toxic chemicals that pollute. Read more
The recent headline, “State Farm discontinuing 72,000 home policies in California,” highlights the increasing and unavoidable costs of climate change and is a cautionary tale for property owners everywhere, especially in Hawaii. Read more
I am a Kailua resident and president of the Climate Protection and Restoration Initiative (cprclimate.org). Read more
As chair of the Honolulu Salary Commission, I would like to clarify some of the factors the commission considered in setting last year’s fiscal year 2024 salaries, and now currently in its fiscal year 2025 deliberations — specifically in regards to the Honolulu City Council members. Read more
‘I felt so dark, hopeless … I did not know where I could go, to turn to.” “I was angry, scared, worried …” Read more