New vision for Kamehameha Schools

• By Maureen O’Connell
• July 8, 2018

As a group, Native Hawaiians are struggling with academic achievement. Read more

Pipe dreams: Water rates, poised to rise to replace old pipes, are just 1 aspect of the supply picture

• By Maureen O’Connell
• May 13, 2018

According to the Board of Water Supply, Oahu is now seeing about 300 water main breaks a year. And unless ongoing pipeline replacement efforts are ramped up, the annual count of splits, tears and bursts is poised for an unabated climb in coming decades. Read more

Debate over $44M in city bonds for rail

• By Maureen O’Connell
• April 1, 2018

Officials wrangle over whether now’s the time to approve city bonds for rail to cover $44 million “on paper.” Read more

Renewable-energy strides being made in Hawaii, in fits and starts

• By Maureen O’Connell
• Feb. 18, 2018

In the past several months, notable developments have occurred to advance Hawaii down the green-energy path. Read more

Donna Vuchinich: The president of the University of Hawaii Foundation has a passion for philanthropy

• By Maureen O’Connell
• Jan. 12, 2018

The University of Hawaii Foundation is the go-to fundraising outfit for the 10-campus system. Read more

Lori Lau: Lanakila Meals on Wheels director and her volunteers deliver joy to homebound seniors

• By Maureen O’Connell oconnell@staradvertiser.com
• Dec. 15, 2017

For Lori Lau, taking on the director’s job at Lanakila Meals on Wheels had the feel of coming home. Read more

Lisa Fowler: Hawaiian Humane Society’s new CEO

• By Maureen O’Connell
• Dec. 1, 2017

Construction of Hawaii’s first high-volume spay-and-neuter clinic is underway at the Hawaiian Humane Society’s Moiliili shelter. Read more

Many hurdles ahead in farming our land

• By Maureen O’Connell
• Nov. 19, 2017

Stepping up local food production in our island state is a sensible goal. With greater access to fresh, homegrown products, Hawaii could reap economic, environmental and health gains. Read more

Gavin Thornton: Hawaii Appleseed co-director helps the poor, and aims to untangle the state budget process

• By Maureen O’Connell
• Nov. 3, 2017

Shortly after graduating from the University of Virginia’s law school in 2002, while working as an attorney in Legal Aid Society of Hawaii’s Kona office, Gavin Thornton discovered that the state had been overcharging public housing tenants for more than a decade. Read more

Jones Act: Keep afloat or let it sink?

• By Maureen O’Connell mconnell@staradvertiser.com
• Oct. 22, 2017

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria prompted the Trump administration to last month issue waivers to a restrictive maritime shipping law in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. The temporary lifting of the Jones Act aimed to help speed delivery of relief supplies to areas reeling from storm damages. Read more

John Hara: The distinguished architect emphasizes environmentally friendly projects

• By Maureen O’Connell
• Oct. 20, 2017

Architect John Hara’s practice is devoted to planning and design of sites and buildings, with an aim to continually “redefine the contemporary language” of Hawaii’s architectural traditions. Read more

David Earles: Hopes to help build a healthy future for troubled zoo

• By Maureen O’Connell
• Oct. 6, 2017

Last year was a difficult one for the Honolulu Zoo. After long grappling with trouble spots such as inconsistent annual city funding and instability in leadership due to a revolving-door situation in the director’s post, it lost accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Read more

Bobby Lee: The firefighters union chief sees hard lessons in the Marco Polo condo fire

• By Maureen O’Connell
• Sept. 22, 2017

The Hawaii Fire Fighters Association (HFFA) serves as the bargaining representative for some 1,900 active-duty and 1,000 retired firefighters in Honolulu, other counties and firefighters protecting our state airports. Read more

Vern Miyagi: Emergency Management chief prepares for threats both natural and from North Korea

• By Maureen O’Connell
• Sept. 8, 2017

Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency headquarters are buried in the volcanic crater floor near Diamond Head’s popular hiking trail. Read more

Hawaii tourism headed for another record-breaking year

• By Maureen O’Connell
• Aug. 27, 2017

With monthly and midyear visitor arrivals topping expectations, there’s a good chance that Hawaii will hit its full-year forecast: a record-breaking 9.1 million visitors. Read more

Mariana Gerschenson: Professor targets Hawaii’s struggle with diabetes

• By Maureen O’Connell
• Aug. 25, 2017

The concept for the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence in Diabetes at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine began taking shape about five years ago. Read more

Diane Paloma: Incoming CEO of the Lunalilo Trust will support kupuna who need help

• By Maureen O’Connell
• Aug. 4, 2017

Lunalilo Home was established through a will drafted by Hawaii’s sixth monarch and first elected king, William Charles Lunalilo. Read more

Green power making most of green light?

• By Maureen O’Connell
• July 16, 2017

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser asked Blue Planet Foundation, a clean-energy focused nonprofit, and the state’s dominant electric utility, Hawaiian Electric Co., to weigh in on progress toward the state’s renewable goal. Read more

Maui native expands the reach of the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

• By Maureen O’Connell
• July 7, 2017

The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a statewide partnership of programs and shelters, took shape nearly four decades ago. Read more

Conservation leader wants indigenous cultures to take a prominent role in sustainability

• By Maureen O’Connell
• June 23, 2017

Born and raised in Nuuanu, Sam ‘Ohu Gon III still lives on a verdant edge of the valley in which Honolulu’s downtown is nestled. Read more

Head of city’s climate change office wants to build a resilient Honolulu

• By Maureen O’Connell
• June 9, 2017

In the run-up to November’s general election, the city’s Charter Commission told voters that passage of a proposed amendment to Honolulu’s “Constitution” would establish a central point for contending with sustainability-related stewardship of our natural resources for present and future generations. Read more