Opinion and analysis by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board. Get informed with columns and commentary, and submit a letter to the editor.
Billionaire Salesforce co-founder and CEO Marc Benioff has expressed his affection for Hawaii once again, this time with a welcome $2.5 million contribution to support Hawaii public school projects that are not funded by the state Department of Education (DOE), via the nonprofit DonorsChoose platform, used by teachers to request classroom materials or support for special projects. Read more
The Hawaii County Council is struggling with the proliferation of short-term rentals (STRs), which have taken residences off the market for locals and contributed to rising housing prices. Read more
Hawaii had been the only state without H5 avian influenza in our midst, but that’s now changed with detection of the pathogen in Oahu wastewater samples. There are no reports of human or animal H5N1 cases in Hawaii, and the risk of bird flu to residents remains low, says the state Department of Health (DOH). Read more
The University of Hawaii’s Chip Fletcher reminded us what’s at stake with the climate crisis and highlighted Hawaii’s role in solving it (“Hawaii’s climate call: lead on adaptation, mitigation,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Nov. 11). Read more
Donald Trump said he will become a dictator on Day One. Well, he’s on his way. He just chose two individuals to fill Cabinet positions for which they have no experience or knowledge. Read more
As we head into a second Donald Trump presidency, it is more important than ever that our Democratic leaders stand up for our core values. Read more
There’s lots of finger-pointing among Democrats over what caused the Donald Trump blowout. But at the bottom of it all are two main issues: inflation and immigration. Read more
In a recent letter, the writer argues the U.S. should end support of “violent colonial Zionism” (“U.S. must stop support of violent colonial Zionism,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 8). Read more
In a recent letter to the editor, the writer shares her outrage and fear of Donald Trump (“Election result ruinous for marginalized groups,” Star- Advertiser, Nov. 8). Read more
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
In classic tales there is an evil force like Darth Vader and a valiant heroine or hero fighting against all odds for the oppressed. The good guys always win, to everyone’s relief. Read more
A settlement is expected by week’s end on four-year contracts for more than 5,000 unionized Hawaii hotel workers in UNITE HERE Local 5 — about half of the union’s membership — who will gain a $10-an-hour pay increase. Read more
Being denied appropriate health care services can leave you feeling hopeless. If you are convinced your health plan is wrong and you think that delay could be harmful, get the care first and then hold the health plan accountable. Read more
The reality of coastal erosion from sea level rise is intensifying statewide, revealing more situations of structures precariously perched at ocean’s edge, undermined by waves and dangerously close to being swept out to sea. Read more
As expressed in the editorial on Nov. 10, it’s time to put the issue of fire sprinklers in Honolulu high-rise condominiums to bed (“Act decisively on condo sprinklers,” Star-Advertiser, Our View). Read more
The presidential election shocked many into realizing that the Donald Trump phenomenon is not an aberration, but is the face of America. Read more
Our best leaders bring us together. I believe Donald Trump achieved victory in part, however, by further splitting us apart. Read more
Regarding the Nov. 10 article, “Disappearing Beaches”: Perhaps the good people at the departments of Land and Natural Resources and of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, etc., should read and refer to Robert L. Wiegel’s 2008 article “Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawai‘i: History of its transformation from a natural to an urban shore” in Shore & Beach. Read more
Everything that the Democrats did to get Kamala Harris elected failed. Joe Biden would have had a better chance, maybe. Read more
Now that Donald Trump has won the presidency for a second term, let’s see if any of the nonsense expressed by some people will come to pass. Read more
In many ways, 83-year-old “David” is symbolic of the hundreds of mentally ill people living in our streets. Read more
Give back. That’s a welcome message for veterans and all members of our communities. Read more
