David Shapiro: Foolish blinding of science won’t erase perils we face
A 2021 comic disaster movie called “Don’t Look Up” told about a planet-killing comet racing toward Earth. Read more
David Shapiro
David Shapiro is a Honolulu Star-Advertiser columnist whose "Volcanic Ash" column appears every Sunday. Shapiro has covered Hawaii and national news for five decades as a reporter, editor and columnist for Honolulu daily newspapers.
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Latest Stories by David Shapiro
David Shapiro: Self-interest defines session for brazen Hawaii legislators
It’s debatable how well the 2025 Legislature took care of constituents, but lawmakers diligently looked after themselves. Read more
David Shapiro: Mistakes in DEI policies aren’t fixed with prejudice
The Trump administration claims its war against diversity, equity and inclusion aims to prioritize merit in employment, but instead it’s caused a wave of naked racism and misogyny. Read more
David Shapiro: Ed Case finds a bumpy path as he charts a solo course
Hawaii U.S. Rep. Ed Case has put a target on his back among some fellow Democrats for his moderate course in this most immoderate political time. Read more
David Shapiro: Council chair presses to keep inflated paychecks coming
Honolulu City Council members, having just filled their pockets with piggish 64% raises that took their pay from $69,000 to $113,000, now are conniving to stick around longer to enjoy their booty. Read more
David Shapiro: President needs a real job like city mayors have to do
One idea from Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s State of the City speech caught my attention most. Read more
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David Shapiro: A Copper State parable for Hawaii pols’ gold lust
Many Arizonans are up in arms over a tentative proposal by their part-time state legislators to double their pay. Read more
David Shapiro: Dems love making rules; Trump loves to break them
An annoyance of these angry political times is overheated language that runs from the Orwellian to the profane. Readers are always sending me examples that irk them. Read more
David Shapiro: Repent, journalists, repent or face senatorial payback
State Sen. Donna Mercado Kim proposed a Trumpish bill to regulate Hawaii journalists, imposing fines or bans on those who displease the state. Read more
David Shapiro: Hawaii Dems take spotlight as blue states resist Trump
The leading advice for Democrats to regain national political relevance is to focus less on DEI and cultural wokeness and more on the cost of eggs. Read more
David Shapiro: Attacks on federal workers successful in striking terror
We surely need to make our government leaner and more efficient, but there are decent and orderly ways that acknowledge the humanity of those losing their livelihoods. Read more
David Shapiro: Bananas prove slippery for former city officials
There’s a satisfying ring of justice in the settlement of the last federal criminal cases stemming from the corruption of former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his prosecutor wife, Katherine. Read more
Volcanic Ash: Declining public libraries erode Hawaii’s civic soul
The affinity I developed for public libraries leaves me pained to see the struggles they now face in Hawaii and around the country. Read more
David Shapiro: Trumpism has conquered a severely bruised nation
Kamala Harris gave a classy concession speech when it was clear she’d lost the election for president, and managed the traditional congratulatory call to Donald Trump — the opposite of what Trump did when he lost four years ago. Read more
David Shapiro: From big balloon payment to Council installment pay
I’ve gotten questions from readers on how to vote on City Charter ballot question No. 4, changing the way City Council pay raises are determined. Read more
David Shapiro: Regents had real choices in choosing University of Hawaii president
What’s encouraging about the hiring of a new University of Hawaii president is that it attracted true up-and-coming applicants this time after several cycles in which top candidates stayed away because of the poisonous politics surrounding UH. Read more
David Shapiro: HPD ire on shooting deal puts Council in dilemma
When business and high emotions come into conflict in politics, emotions often win. Read more
David Shapiro: Rail chief shows the pols how to really play politics
Honolulu rail CEO Lori Kahikina gets mixed marks on running a railroad, but she’s an ace when it comes to boardroom politics. Read more
David Shapiro: Ask Sen. Schatz anything and the answer is housing
I track the state of Twitter, now called X after its takeover by the imperious and conspiratorial Elon Musk, by occasionally checking the feed of Hawaii U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, among the most social-media savvy in Congress. Read more
David Shapiro: Stand your ground here and get 40 hours of lockup
Barely a week after the Honolulu Police Commission flagged Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan’s communications problems in his annual evaluation, he gave an unfortunate demonstration at his news conference on a tragic Waianae shooting that left four dead. Read more
David Shapiro: Bob Dubill flew with best as a legendary journalist
My favorite editor, Bob Dubill, told me he liked this column I wrote 25 years ago so much he regularly reread it with his son. Read more
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Editorial cartoon for Monday, May 12, 2025
