On Politics: Once-staid Sen. Mazie Hirono emerges as fierce, outspoken defender of Democratic policies, principles
Gone are the days of Mazie Hirono being Senator “Walk On By.” Read more
Latest Stories by Richard Borreca
On Politics: Mass shootings on mainland bring Hawaii’s stringent gun laws into sharper focus
Mass shootings, such as the two over the last two weeks in Georgia and Colorado, once again shock us with the random, senseless death of gun violence — although it is doubtful the recognition will stop the carnage. Read more
On Politics: Lack of money in city coffers leaves new Honolulu mayor lacking in big-dream initiatives
Here are two pieces of advice that sum up the first State of the City speech by Honolulu’s new mayor, Rick Blangiardi. Read more
On Politics: Week of wild weather provides glimpse into Hawaii’s new global-warming future
‘CATASTROPHIC FLOODING … : EVACUATE NOW,” Honolulu emergency officials declared last Tuesday afternoon. “You are in danger. Leave now.” Read more
On Politics: Amid voter-restriction moves elsewhere, automatic voter registration here worth support
Registering to vote, step one in a simple act of good citizenship, is now part of the battleground that is the Democrat-Republican national split. Hawaii has joined the fight. Read more
On Politics: Hawaii’s inability and bungling on unemployment insurance exacerbate human suffering
Of all the many pandemic-caused problems facing Hawaii, one of the fiercest is the unemployment insurance crisis. Read more
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On Politics: Now on powerful panels, U.S. Sen. Schatz shares hopes for rail reality, Hawaiians, Dems
Hawaii’s senior U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz can appreciate the benefits of being on the winning side. Read more
On Politics: New stadium at mercy of chaotic play-calling between governor, legislators, authority, University of Hawaii
If you are going to fumble something, skip the small stuff, go big. Read more
On Politics: House Speaker Scott Saiki hits right notes on calling for compromise to overcome budget, other big woes
In the face of Hawaii’s greatest financial crisis since becoming a state 62 years ago, House Speaker Scott Saiki’s tone-setting legislative speech abandoned the metaphors and florid praise. Read more
On Politics: Hawaii’s high hopes for high tech not new, as worn as Labor Department’s aging mainframe
Doesn’t it make sense to point out the things you are good at? Read more
On Politics: Shutting off welcoming state Capitol from the public would send discouraging message
Say goodbye to Hawaii’s signature state Capitol, if it loses its long and graceful sightlines as they are closed by a tumble of concrete barriers and chain link fences. Read more
On Politics: Even as Hawaii leaders scramble to fill deep money pit, hopes and dreams are pegged on Biden
Welcome to Hawaii, the pessimist’s delight. If you don’t like our economy, wait, it can get worse. Back in 2011, former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie was the new governor, winning on a campaign of “I can handle this economy.” Read more
On Politics: Hawaii Republican Party, already weakened, gets destroyed by Trumpism and extremism
If there is any political relevance left to Hawaii’s Republican Party, Donald Trump and the storming of the U.S. Capitol by his supporters last week destroyed it. Read more
On Politics: Hawaii’s never-ending quest for good leaders to overcome fiascos, such as rail and stadium
Today’s question: What is a six-letter word ending in a double vowel that describes a place that is also the site of multiple dilemmas? Read more
On Politics: Hawaii’s public labor unions must realize that a collapsed economy will hurt everyone
Eleven years ago, Hawaii was plunging into financial desperation. Read more
On Politics: Huge state budget hole sucks up rainy-day funds, payment deferrals, bonds — and soon, jobs
Yes, the warning signs are all pointing to a rough 2021. You can be assured that times are never good if what everyone’s idea of hope is deliverance by the federal government. Read more
On Politics: Looking back at outgoing Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s career, it’s hard to avoid misses and near-misses
As 2020 ends, so does Kirk Caldwell’s final term as mayor. He has been mayor since 2013, also serving briefly before that as interim mayor. Read more
On Politics: Ann Kobayashi — councilwoman, ex-senator, ex-Republican — retiring but moving ahead
There are political institutions and then there is Ann Kobayashi, the Honolulu City Council chairwoman, who in two stretches has served for 17 years on the Council. Read more
On Politics: Hawaii GOP needs to figure out how to parlay its increased voters into political power
If there was good news for the local Republican Party coming out of the just-concluded presidential election, it is that the Hawaii GOP got 67,755 more presidential votes in 2020 than in 2016. Read more
On Politics: Rick Blangiardi will need as much help as he can muster to steer Oahu through turbulent times
Rick Blangiardi is starting his City Hall career with an astounding success: He won with 58% of the vote, with a whopping 224,218 voters saying “yes” to his candidacy. Read more
On Politics: Election Day will deliver Blangiardi or Amemiya as mayor — then real decisions on rail
In 1975, it was Rick Blangiardi’s eye for details that made him stand out. Read more
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