Opinion and analysis by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board. Get informed with columns and commentary, and submit a letter to the editor.
Hawaii’s economic outlook is increasingly anemic, experts say, as the tariff flurry emanating from the White House roils markets, dampens demand and may lead prospective tourists from the mainland U.S., Canada, Japan and South Korea to hunker down at home. Read more
During the Great Recession of 2007-2009, as chairman of the state House Finance Committee, I had to address a $1 billion budget shortfall. Read more
At the center of HomeAid Hawaii’s mission is a man whose life reflects the very values of compassion, resilience and service. Read more
In December 2021, public outrage over the Navy’s contamination of a major aquifer spewed as vehemently as the jet fuel that gushed out of the Red Hill bulk storage facility. Read more
This is regarding your front-page article about now stalled state Senate Bill 378, which “Establishes a working group within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to identify existing mixed-use developments in Maui County that could be acquired by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation for use as affordable housing and commercial rental leases” (“Maui housing conversion endeavor stalls,” Star-Advertiser, April 11). Read more
Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons has been reported as saying that he wants the government to get better at treating deportations “like a business.” Read more
I believe Maui Preparatory Academy’s policies are not anti-transgender; they merely protect the spaces occupied by girls. Read more
On April 9, Hawaii island Mayor Kimo Alameda gave his State of the County address. He flipped from his campaign position of opposing the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on Mauna Kea, to now supporting TMT. Read more
The law requiring older condos to install fire sprinklers is well-intended and can save lives if there is a fire. Read more
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The state has prevailed against an appeal challenging its bio-engineered strategy to save endangered Maui forest birds. Read more
Developing geothermal energy became a state priority in January, when Gov. Josh Green issued an executive order aimed at speeding up Hawaii’s transition to renewable sources. Read more
Rail is a catastrophe that will have wasted $10 billion on an expensive, inadequate system that is not going to relieve traffic congestion. Read more
It’s been disconcerting at least, and chilling at worst, to hear of international students being detained or facing deportation by U.S. federal officials for vague or unspecified reasons; some had engaged in freedom of speech. Read more
By voting to pass the SAVE Act, U.S. Rep. Ed Case is trying to make it difficult for the people of Hawaii to register and vote. Read more
A recent letter writer is absolutely right on the two points they make about columnist Marc Thiessen (“Signalgate apologist is example of inanity,” Star-Advertiser, April Opens in a new tab7) Opens in a new tab. Read more
The Star-Advertiser continues to print letters that inflame readers against Israel in their misguided support of the terrorist group that holds the people of Gaza and Israel hostage to their suicidal and homicidal goals. Read more
Every day, it seems, another letter writer accuses President Donald Trump or Elon Musk of planning to take away important services such as Social Security. Read more
Liberation Day for whom? The tariffs feint has spread fear globally, so the new oligarchs can poke through the rubble on Wall Street, filling their shopping baskets with whatever they want at bargain prices. Read more
Rarely do we have a public policy solution on which we all agree. Read more
The city administration has resolved, as it should, to enforce Honolulu laws regulating short-term rentals in a major way that counts: by seeing that the scofflaws pay the fines. Read more
Hawaii’s year-to-date traffic deaths are up — to 43, as of April 12, as compared to 33 lives lost through April 30, 2024. Read more
