Opinion and analysis by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board. Get informed with columns and commentary, and submit a letter to the editor.
One example of how difficult it can be to keep one’s eyes on the legislative ball: Yes, House Bill 429 to secure more public-preschool teachers and equipment got snagged, failing to pass just a couple of weeks short of the 2025 session’s May 2 adjournment. Read more
The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) wants to add 160 additional automated cameras that spot and ticket speeders and red light-runners, throughout the islands — a gesture of confidence in the cameras as a tool to enhance safety. Read more
Ghost guns appeal to criminals because they aren’t easily traceable to makers, sellers or buyers. Read more
A recent article provides us with the perfect opportunity to turn what appears to be bad news into a chance for a very positive change for our East-West Center (“East-West Center funding at risk,” Star-Advertiser, April Opens in a new tab16) Opens in a new tab. Read more
The Trump administration is arresting people without notice and flying them to El Salvador, whose government is paid to imprison these alleged criminals in a notoriously brutal prison. Read more
Count the accomplishments: war between India and Pakistan averted; Houthis stopped from attacking ships in international waters; peace talks between Russia and Ukraine; a secure border; trade negotiations to equalize free trade with a goal of eliminating federal income taxes on those making $200,000 or less while making the very rich pay more. Read more
Donald Trump’s war against an informed citizenry continues to escalate. Read more
The editorial cartoon published today in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Read more
Plagued by omissions and outdated data that fell short of utmost due diligence, the Army’s final environmental impact statement (FEIS) toward retaining use of state land at the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) on Hawaii island deserved to be rejected. Read more
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As President Donald Trump and his administration attempt to thwart our nation’s laws, with Republicans looking the other way, may I remind us that these officials are elected to be our public servants? Read more
The city Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) has decided to tackle coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) infestations in urban Honolulu — weeks after initial damage was discovered. Read more
Thomas Brandt presents a lucid plan for fair assignment of fees to pay for the rail system (“Property owners who benefit from rail should help pay for it,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, May Opens in a new tab8) Opens in a new tab. Read more
At the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, WHCA President Eugene Daniels said that the dinner was meant to “honor journalistic excellence and a robust, independent media covering the most powerful office in the world.” Read more
There is a political jargon that says elections have consequences. It is a long-held tradition followed by incoming administrations to implement changes in priorities and policies which are consistent with their ideological agenda. Read more
The Donald Trump-Elon Musk regime has decided that the best way to clean house is to strike a match to it. Read more
The writer who is “amazed” at protesters against “exposing the corrupt, incompetent, and possibly criminal actions” of the United States Agency for International Development is parroting Donald Trump’s baseless propaganda (“Stop USAID bleeding before helping others,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 2) Opens in a new tab. Read more
Medical oversight, or the lack of it, has exposed a serious health inequity for many in Hawaii’s diverse population. Read more
I am amazed about the overwhelming amount of opala that is being generated just on this island and how difficult it is to find a safe new landfill. Read more
In June, the Hawai‘i Board on Geographic Names (HBGN) will hear a proposal to change the official name of Hawaii island from the “Island of Hawai‘i” to “Hawai‘i.” To which we scratch our heads and say, hasn’t that always been its name? Read more
Storm clouds are gathering on the federal-funding horizon, so the advent of Mesonet a few years back was fortunate timing for Hawaii weather forecasting now. Read more
A reader writes that vaccinations fall under religious exemptions (“Religious exemptions are a constitutional right,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, March Opens in a new tab19) Opens in a new tab. Wrong. The U.S. Constitution provides no religious exemption from vaccinations. Read more
