David Shapiro: Dems love making rules; Trump loves to break them
An annoyance of these angry political times is overheated language that runs from the Orwellian to the profane. Readers are always sending me examples that irk them. Read more
Featured Columns
Opinions, guest essays and editorials from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Featuring Kokua Line, Rearview Mirror, David Shapiro, Richard Borreca and others.
Kokua Line: What are rules on windshield tint, license plate covers?
Question: I nearly got hit by a car on Kapiolani Boulevard by the mall. Read more
On Politics: Isles brace as federal government careens with cuts
Hawaii’s economy, rarely the master of its own fate, heads into the usually blustery month of March and is expected to be tossed by that heavy hitter, the federal government. Read more
Column: ‘O ka namu haole ka ‘olelo kūhelu o ‘Amelika!
Synopsis: In case you haven’t heard, English is now the official language of the United States. Read more
Kokua Line: Why are lights out in Pali tunnels?
Question: Both of the short tunnels on Pali Highway are in the dark, and the sign announcing the outage has also gone missing. I’ll refrain from smart-aleck remarks, but this seems a serious situation that needs attention. Do the responsible folks know and have a plan to fix it? Read more
Rearview Mirror: Biotechnology’s birth is traced to Waikiki deli
Marketers have promoted Hawaii’s natural beauty and culture for decades: erupting volcanoes, rainbows, luau, surfing, tradewinds, music, hula, aloha shirts and li’dat. Read more
Facts of the Matter: We’re still learning how fast the universe is expanding
The universe is expanding. This was the great revelation of the 20th century, thanks to astronomer Edwin Hubble, whose work showed that galaxies are moving away from us, with more distant galaxies receding faster than nearby ones. Read more
Kokua Line: How does license plate wait affect EVs?
Question: Regarding the shortage of new Hawaii license plates (808ne.ws/3QMK2JC Opens in a new tab), couldn’t the city mail the EV license plate to the vehicle’s registered owner once it’s available, rather than making the owner go back to a satellite city hall to pick it up? Read more
Dave Reardon: Rainbows show fighting spirit with walk-off wins
A 10-2 record to start a baseball season always looks good on the surface. But they are not all created equally. Read more
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Tech View: Visualizing the risks of climate change
Seeking resilience and energy security, Gov. Josh Green’s January executive order accelerates Hawaii’s clean-energy future. Read more
Kokua Line: What government offices are closing in Hawaii?
Question: Will they close the Social Security office in Honolulu? This would be very bad news because not everyone can get an online account or answer their questions online! Read more
Kokua Line: Must I show ID to enter state Capitol?
Question: Regarding the consumer protection fair at the Capitol, can we just walk in there now? Read more
Stephen Tsai: UH will be impacted by recent developments
The past few weeks, there have been three developments that might impact the University of Hawaii’s football program. Here’s a closer look. Read more
Curtis Murayama: NFL players, coaches will fix ‘tush push’ if owners fail to change rule
Whoever thought a quarterback sneak on a double dose of steroids would cause so much of a stir? Read more
David Shapiro: Repent, journalists, repent or face senatorial payback
State Sen. Donna Mercado Kim proposed a Trumpish bill to regulate Hawaii journalists, imposing fines or bans on those who displease the state. Read more
Kokua Line: Does HPD allow blue lights on front grill of subsidized police cars?
The proper use of blue lights, including on subsidized vehicles, is covered in HPD’s overall policy on police vehicles. Read more
On Politics: As Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke surely knows, being No. 2 means biding time
It is not unreasonable to imagine proud parents looking at their newborn and thinking someday that he or she will be president or governor. Read more
Column: He mana ko ka inoa ‘āina o ka ‘ōiwi
Synopsis: Names have spiritual power in the indigenous worldview, even those of natural features. Changing Denali back to Mount McKinley is tantamount to sacrilege. Read more
Kokua Line: Was park guard wrong to make us leave at 6 p.m.?
Question: My wife and I were surprised to be informed by the security guard at Koko Crater Botanical Garden that the park closes at 6 o’clock and not dusk as the sign says. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Downtown building once Japanese store, USO club
On the Ewa-mauka corner of 1022 Bethel and King streets downtown is a five-story building that Island Insurance occupied until 2024. Across the street, on the Diamond Head side of that corner, was Liberty House, then Macy’s and Walmart, from the 1850s to today. Read more
Kokua Line: Why are clocks running 6 minutes fast?
Question: Is anybody else noticing their clocks running faster and faster? Mine are about six minutes ahead. Not on my cellphone but on my oven, microwave, etc. What is happening? Read more
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