Column: He aloha nō nā inoa maoli o ka ‘āina, mahele 2
Synopsis: Even when our intent is to honor traditional place names, and the stories that go along with them, that intent can be undermined by confusion. Read more
Opinion and analysis by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board. Get informed with columns and commentary, and submit a letter to the editor.
Synopsis: Even when our intent is to honor traditional place names, and the stories that go along with them, that intent can be undermined by confusion. Read more
Mahalo nui loa to Savy Makalena and her Island Voices on paid family caregiver leave (“Enact paid family leave for caregivers,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 9). Read more
During the endless construction of the roundabout at Kailua Beach, Lanikai traffic is being routed through the major beach parking lot. Read more
The McDonald’s next to the fire station in Mililani just spent big bucks on new landscaping by the ordering area and it’s super nice, except for people who throw their cigarettes butts, used McDonald’s coffee cups, soda cans and other paper in the area. Read more
I’m disappointed in Larry Schiff (“It’s every American’s duty to understand the cost of tariffs,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Feb. 9). He completely leaves out what has happened in American business. Read more
The United States and others did a poor job of saving European refugees — especially Jews — from Hitler in the interwar period. Read more
The way things have been going, politics-watchers were not stunned to hear that the controversial nomination of Robert. F. Kennedy Jr. as the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday had cleared the goal posts in Congress. Read more
Two misguided bills — House Bill 221, now thankfully dead, and Senate Bill 101 — would use University of Hawaii medical school tuition as a cudgel to keep kamaaina in this state, charging out-of-state tuition retroactively if UH M.D.s don’t commit to practice in Hawaii for at least two years after completion of their residency or fellowship. Read more
The University of Hawaii has asked its future students who among them are interested in a new, streamlined bachelor’s degree program for early-childhood teachers, and a whole crowd of them raised their hand. Read more
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Forgive me for my belated response to a recent letter that criticized my Dec. 4 Island Voices commentary about the proposed Honolulu “empty homes” tax (“Poking holes in empty homes tax alternative,” Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Dec. 27). Read more
Bills on paid family leave are again before our Legislature. One is House Bill 755. Paid family leave is a critical issue in our community, one that affects the health, mental well-being and income of our families. Read more
I agree with the Feb. 9 editorial “Tap various wells for climate fee” (Star-Advertiser, Our View). There is a good source of funding that the Legislature has yet to implement — carbon cashback. I Read more
To follow up on a recent letter to the editor, I must note that the nonprofit Lin Yee Chung Association is now diligently pursuing their Manoa Banyan Court (MBC) project, which would contribute to badly-needed affordable rental housing for our kupuna (“Musing the upkeep of cemeteries, highways,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 9). Read more
The salary commission keeps raising the pay for our government officials, but who raises the income for our retired people who live on a fixed income and get 2% or 3% increases in tiered Social Security or retirement plans from the government? Read more
My head is spinning from all the rapid-fire illegal actions taken by the Trump administration — to the point that I think about just tuning out. But we just can’t do that. There must be resistance. Read more
President Donald Trump has been in office less than a month and, with his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has exposed what I believe is a lot of wasteful government spending. Read more
For many years, opponents of cannabis legalization have promoted and exaggerated the potential for harm and have spread misinformation about cannabis’ impact on society. Read more
Gov. Josh Green and state legislators have again submitted bills lowering the illegal blood alcohol content (BAC) for drivers from 0.08% to 0.05%. Read more
House Bill 756 banning the sale of flavored vapes in Hawaii is up for consideration at the Legislature this year, and it must be enacted. Read more
Hawaii’s state-supported efforts to help homeless people with mainland ties return to their families or home towns are a relatively simple way to resolve some homelessness without the ongoing costs of shelter and services — for those who agree to leave and have support at their destination. Read more
Never underestimate Tulsi Gabbard, now ensconced as this nation’s director of national intelligence. Read more