Big rent-to-own housing push by Home Lands agency praised, pilloried
At least 500, and maybe more than 1,100, rental homes are part of the agency’s goal to deliver roughly 6,000 homesteads for beneficiaries over the next several years. Read more
Andrew Gomes
Andrew Gomes is a business reporter at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Gomes is a longtime Hawaii journalist who for most of his career has concentrated on business subjects with a particular focus on real estate and land-use topics that include housing, development and agriculture.
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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.
Latest Stories by Andrew Gomes
Rosier state budget picture projected by Gov. Green
Gov. Josh Green reassured the public and Hawaii’s Legislature on Wednesday that Maui wildfire response and recovery expenses shouldn’t overwhelm state finances. Read more
Haruki departing BOE; ex-lawmaker to assume post
The state Board of Education has a second appointed new leader in less than a year. Read more
State senators target Hawaii’s energy policy agency
Senate Bill 3282 comes four years after the Legislature reorganized the agency to improve its focus in part by converting it from a DBEDT division to an agency with a Cabinet-level director. Read more
Bills propose more housing on smaller lots
Single-family neighborhoods in Hawaii could become much more dense under two heavily debated bills pending at the state Legislature. Read more
Designer is commissioned to convert state Capitol pools to waterless feature
The long-troublesome reflecting pools at the state Capitol will be permanently dried up and converted to an artistic landscape with elements resembling water from around Hawaii designed by Native Hawaiian artist Solomon Enos. Read more
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10 intersections are new focus for ticket camera bill
Pending legislation aimed at ticketing speeding Hawaii drivers using automated cameras took another sharp turn Tuesday, with proposed use redirected to 10 Honolulu intersections where cameras already cite red-light runners. Read more
Former Hawaii Public Safety Director Ted Sakai dies at 77
Ted Sakai led the state Department of Public Safety from 1998 to 2002 and from 2012 to 2014. Read more
Speed-limit enforcement bills face rough routes
Proposed legislation this year to ticket speeders on Hawaii highways using fixed cameras has been redirected and still faces a possible roadblock ahead. Read more
With cloudy state finances, Hawaii’s ‘rainy day’ fund held for future rainy day
The ongoing scramble for emergency wildfire recovery funding at the Legislature doesn’t appear dire enough to tap what is commonly known as Hawaii’s “rainy day fund” or EBRF. Read more
State House OKs $1B in Maui wildfire expenses
The Hawaii House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously passed its draft of an updated state budget crafted to cover immense Maui wildfire recovery costs while maintaining fundamental services and important projects. Read more
Revenue forecast provides no relief for Hawaii lawmakers
A difficult task for Hawaii’s Legislature to pass an updated state budget by May was made no easier Monday, as a state general fund revenue forecast was essentially unchanged. Read more
Human Services Department leader to change
The director of the state Department of Human Services plans to resign, and is slated to be replaced by a former state lawmaker. Read more
Oahu housing market ‘warming up’ per industry report
Sales and prices of previously owned homes on Oahu rose for a second consecutive month in February, after roughly two years of weakness in at least one major element of the market. Read more
Green quantifies emergency funding request related to Maui fire disaster
Gov. Josh Green has let the state Legislature know how big an emergency funding appropriation he believes is needed to pay Maui wildfire recovery costs through June 30. Read more
State House tees up bill to kill Aloha Stadium redevelopment
A repeatedly stymied state plan to redevelop Aloha Stadium is once again in danger of upheaval. Read more
Prefab buildings in Lahaina to house wildfire survivors
A state social services agency is working to produce what could be the first temporary housing community developed for Maui fire survivors, a 450-unit project where initial occupancy is expected in a few months. Read more
Hawaiian Electric adjusts customer energy programs
A recent ruling by the state Public Utilities Commission has led Hawaiian Electric to modify and push back the start of new rooftop solar and energy storage programs to April 1. Read more
Lahaina rebuilding board bill gains speed amid heavy public opposition
A proposal to create an elected community board to govern the rebuilding of Lahaina advanced Friday at the Legislature amid heavy public opposition and a little support. Read more
Grip on Hawaii wildfire recovery costs still elusive
State finances are bleeding heavily from Maui wildfire recovery expenses, but there is still no firm idea on how bad the hemorrhage will be through June 30 or how to compensate for it. Read more
Final site chosen for Maui wildfire ash, debris
Lahaina wildfire ash and debris will be headed to Kahului for final disposal. Read more
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