He is a fourth-generation kamaaina born on Oahu who earned a journalism degree from the University of Hawaii. Gomes has been a reporter for local newspapers since the mid-1990s. He regularly enjoys surfing, bodysurfing and skateboarding.
One of the hardest issues the state Legislature took on this year was to bring truth in labeling to packages featuring one of Hawaii’s most renowned and high-value crops. Read more
The local coffee-growing industry has been trying for decades to expand and strengthen a 32-year-old state law that requires only 10% Hawaii coffee in packages of blended coffee using Hawaii geographic origin names. Read more
Hawaii architect Ken Chang received thanks from local government leaders Friday for recently completing a mainly midpriced Honolulu condominium tower despite setbacks that turned the project into an eight-year endeavor. Read more
A Hawaii consumer protection agency wants to remind rental housing landlords and prospective tenants that a new law limiting tenant screening fees took effect May 1. Read more
Drowning has been the leading cause of death in Hawaii for children from 2018 to 2022. Read more
Bad or inattentive drivers on Oahu could soon run the risk of getting two tickets, instead of one, originating from automated cameras at 10 intersections in Honolulu. Read more
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
Senate Bill 3202, if it becomes law, will allow “at least two” accessory dwellings in addition to a main home on lots zoned primarily for single-family housing. Read more
Relatively small Maui wildfire expenses ate into earnings of Hawaiian Electric and its parent company in the first three months of this year. Read more
New development partners are advancing a previously delayed plan to revitalize one of Hawaii’s oldest and most popular tourist attractions, Paradise Cove Luau. Read more
Oahu’s housing market rebounded in April with year-over-year gains after mostly slumps in March. Read more
Three state Family Court judges, two private practice attorneys, a District Court judge and a deputy public defender are in the running to become state Circuit Court judges on Oahu. Read more
This year’s total compares with $25.7 million for 35 claims last year. Read more
Before the session-ending send-offs, the House and Senate on Friday passed three big-ticket bills. Read more
Just before announcing the Climate Advisory Team, Green signed a bill appropriating $385.4 million in emergency funding for Maui wildfire recovery and response costs. Read more
House Bill 40 is still subject to approval by a majority of House and Senate members at a scheduled vote Wednesday. Read more
State lawmakers this year dialed back financial grants awarded to private projects and programs with public purposes but kept the level of giving on par with other recent years. Read more
The measure, House Bill 2404, would double the standard deduction for the 2024 tax year and then keep raising it every two years through 2030. Read more
The deferral came Thursday after strongly favorable votes in the Senate and House on differing drafts of the bill in March and earlier this month. Read more
State House and Senate leaders have determined that close to $1 billion should be appropriated by the state for Maui wildfire response and recovery work through mid-2025. Read more
Hawaii House and Senate leaders resolved their differences over spending priorities Tuesday evening, settling on a conference committee draft of the state budget bill that appropriates $19.2 billion for operations during the fiscal year beginning July 1. Read more
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen is making an overtime plea to state lawmakers for more Lahaina wildfire recovery funding. Read more
