On Politics: Taxing tourists remains tough way to raise money
Since the early 1960s, more than half a century ago, Hawaii has worried over whether it should tax tourists. Read more
Latest Stories by Richard Borreca
On Politics: Budget by lawmakers today opens questions for future
With Hawaii’s 2024 Legislature concluded, members of the Democrat-controlled state House are looking at the state’s election season. Read more
On Politics: Legislature gets serious on tax cuts
If the Hawaii state Legislature closes as expected, the theme has to be the struggle of lawmakers to grasp the importance of recognizing and fixing state money problems. Read more
On Politics: Legislature’s budget aided by government contracts
This was written before the 2024 edition of the state Legislature said “Pau, enough” and closed the books for the year, so there is some peril in first saying that it is really finished, and second, in judging the work product. Read more
On Politics: Detailed report on Maui wildfires has somber lessons for all, underscoring preparedness
The Hawaii attorney general’s new report on Lahaina’s tragic August fire goes into the minute details of the fire and the official response as Maui’s outstanding firefighters battled the blaze. Read more
On Politics: Dismantling Haiku Stairs a political uphill battle
In 2020, Honolulu Star- Advertiser reporter Andrew Gomes wryly noted in a news article that the Windward side’s “Stairway to Heaven” steep mountain trail was as popular as it was controversial. Read more
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On Politics: Conservative Hawaii emerges, bucks pot legalization
The news from the state Legislature remains the same: You can’t legally smoke marijuana in Hawaii. Read more
On Politics: Tulsi emerges in VP talk, but what has she achieved?
Tulsi Gabbard’s public life is marked by two major successes. Read more
On Politics: Maui fire recovery leaves state budget future shaky
To meet state needs after the fire-ravaged Maui disaster, Gov. Josh Green rerouted a staggering $172 million in emergency state funds from various state programs to start paying for the fire. Read more
On Politics: Eleventh-hour stadium move to UH-Manoa is a fumble
As Honolulu Star-Advertiser followers have noted, Aloha Stadium is not essential. “We have been living without it for four years, ” one reader commented. Read more
On Politics: Time will tell if gov’s housing hurdles will trip him
Gov. Josh Green knows what he is up against, but that doesn’t make the job any easier. Read more
On Politics: Costly Maui recovery calls for business not as usual
The staggering consequences of the fiery August destruction of Lahaina continue to shape the future of Hawaii. Read more
On Politics: Mayor Blangiardi’s managerial style serving him well
Blangiardi’s key points mirror Honolulu’s major needs: affordable housing, a reduction in homelessness, and improved public safety. Read more
On Politics: Hawaii Supreme Court praised for gun-safety ruling
Packing some of the country’s most all-encompassing gun laws — and some of the lowest rates of gun violence — Hawaii is getting attention for a new state Supreme Court decision. Read more
On Politics: Honolulu police chief’s bungling riles mayor, public
The problem was not the police action as much as Logan’s unilateral and tone-deaf response. Read more
On Politics: How much to tax tourists to be debate in Legislature
Since launching his campaign for governor, Josh Green has had a consistent twin message: Hawaii needs more money and it should come from visitors to the state. Read more
On Politics: High hopes for Maui revival but most blanks unfilled
More than in most years, the opening of the 2024 state Legislature is a fill-in-the-blanks exercise. Read more
On Politics: Will complex power equations add up to ‘green’ energy?
Running a business in Hawaii — a state boasting what is arguably the wettest spot on the globe, Mount Waialeale with an average annual rainfall of 450 inches — means you should mind your electrical wiring and think twice about insulation. Read more
On Politics: Maui fires fuel Gov. Green’s resolve for long-term housing
Gov. Josh Green’s finger may not be on the button, although in discussions late last year, he started to mention “the nuclear option.” Read more
On Politics: Leaders must work to heal isles’ ailing economy
When Hawaii’s governor changes from his almost-ever-present blue physician scrubs to more common gubernatorial garb, he still has the same worrisome patient: the state of Hawaii. Read more
On Politics: Gov. Green’s retooled budget keeps eye on housing, statewide
Gov. Josh Green is closing out 2023 with more ambition than caution as he steers the state away from the worries of this year. Read more
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