Kokua Line: When is Social Security pay boost for certain retirees?
There’s no word yet about when this Social Security money will start flowing. 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.
David Shapiro: Nuggets of wisdom found in speaking wit to power
The new year is a fresh start, a chance to mend frayed relationships. Read more
Column: Gov. Green becomes Dr. Green to oppose Kennedy
This is another example of the need to keep the doctor’s office and the voting booth separate. Read more
Rearview Mirror: In 1925 Hawaii, radio was latest technology
It’s hard for many of my friends to believe it’s already 2025. Some tell me they long for the “good old days.” Were things better then? Through the magic of this column, let’s jump into my Way Back machine and travel to 1925. What was Hawaii like 100 years ago? Let’s see. Read more
Kokua Line: How do I get rid of automotive oils, fluids?
Question: I change the engine oil, axle oil, gear oil and radiator fluids for our vehicles. I have been putting them in the same plastic gallon container they came in from the store. I do not know where to dispose of them. Read more
Kokua Line: Where can I walk in for passport?
Question: Regarding U.S. passports (808ne.ws/3Pq8Ru9), I can’t renew online because my passport is so old. What about the main library? Is that still an option? Can I walk in? Read more
Tech View: SSL certificates provide security for your website
Much like resort fees at hotels, secure sockets layer certificates (referred to as SSL certificates) for websites are basically a requirement that cannot be avoided without a huge headache. What exactly is an SSL certificate, and why do you need it? Read more
Kokua Line: What if I already threw away fireworks?
Question: What if we already threw fireworks away? I thought it was OK to put them in the trash after soaking in water overnight, so that’s what we did, same as in 2024. It was only a few, all legal (permitted firecrackers). I don’t see anything contrary on the Hazardous Household Waste website. Read more
Kokua Line: Are flowering mango trees normal?
Question: Why are there so many mango trees with lots of flowers now? It seems very early in the year. Is this normal? Read more
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Stephen Tsai: Crazy world of college has benefits, drawbacks
One-sided playoff games involving teams that were questionable participants? Players leaving programs even before the first attendance was taken? Read more
Sjarif Goldstein: Here are some changes that could help the College Football Playoff
In these days of limitless demand for content, with broadcast hours and YouTube channels overstuffed with “analysis” (read: arguing) of various levels of quality, overreaction has become the norm in both the NFL and college football. Read more
Volcanic Ash: Schatz gains rising voice as Dems face Trump II
When Brian Schatz joined the U.S. Senate in 2012, he was the youngest of Turks at 40 and determined to build a long and influential career like his legendary predecessor, Daniel Inouye. Read more
Column: Schatz calls for new state mindset to help Lahaina rebuild
Schatz is helping to steer an estimated $1.6 billion in new federal funding for Maui’s continued recovery, saying the money goes for building permanent housing for survivors of the Lahaina fires. Read more
Kokua Line: Is Hawaii health survey legitimate?
Question: Is the state doing a health survey? I don’t usually answer calls from noncontacts but I made a mistake and picked up and it was something about health and I hung up thinking it was a scam. They called again but I didn’t answer. Can you check if this is legit? Read more
Dave Reardon: Football stars pick a fine time to take a break
College bowl games and the last week of the NFL regular season are almost as much about who isn’t playing as who is. Read more
Facts of the Matter: Enzymes keep the body functioning efficiently
Life as we know it wouldn’t exist without enzymes. These tiny proteins, found in every living organism, are the catalysts that make nearly all the chemical reactions in our bodies possible. Read more
Kokua Line: How many homeless pedestrians were run over?
Question: I heard on the news that pedestrian fatalities rose in 2024. Do you know how many of those involved homeless people who were lying in the road? Read more
Rearview Mirror: Linda Coble shattered glass ceiling in TV news
If you watch the local television news today, you’ll see as many female reporters as male. But that wasn’t always the case. TV news reporters were all men until one woman broke through the glass ceiling in 1969. Her name is Linda Coble. Read more
Kokua Line: How much notice must I give month-to-month landlord?
Question: I’m a renter with a pretty good landlord so when my year’s lease expired I continued on a month-to-month basis because I wasn’t sure how much longer I would stay. Now I am ready to move out and I gave two month’s notice but my landlord says he needs three months. Is this required? Read more
Tech View: Think about making — and keeping — tech resolutions
As we welcome 2025, many of us may be thinking about making New Year’s resolutions to live life more fully and joyfully. Read more
Kokua Line: How will I know about ‘extra’ stimulus pay?
Question: How will I know if I am getting the extra stimulus payment? When would I get it? Do I have to submit a form? Read more
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Kokua Line: When is Social Security pay boost for certain retirees?
