There’s a huge gulp factor in legislators deciding to deposit half of $807.5 million into a trust fund next fiscal year — that’s nearly $404 million — as the state’s first-half portion of a major settlement. Read more
Take a deep breath, and celebrate that two areas in Hawaii — urban Honolulu and Kahului, Maui — rank among the cleanest cities in the nation in the American Lung Association’s 2025 “State of the Air” report. Read more
Hawaii-based businesses are feeling the effects of President Donald Trump’s efforts, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii reports — especially tariffs: 97% have been either “moderately” (27%) or “significantly” (70%) affected. Read more
Nine young birds of an endangered species called Sihek, also known as Guam kingfishers, have laid eggs on their new Pacific island home at Palmyra Atoll, making them the first wild eggs for the species in nearly 40 years. Read more
Emergency Services Department Director James Ireland’s prospects for a second four-year term were shaken earlier this year when critics, including a number of former EMS workers, charged that chronic understaffing and favoritism were dragging down morale and causing excess turnover. Read more
The chorus of praise for the legacy of the late Pope Francis came from all corners of the globe, including many voices who were non-Catholic and those who do not count themselves in any religion. Read more
Time is growing extremely short to push state bills through successful passage — and that’s concerning for supporters of Senate Bill 281, which would raise the penalty for torture, a frighteningly recurrent form of child abuse in Hawaii. Read more
OK, sports fans, here’s a pop quiz: Where’s the oldest active baseball field in America? Read more
We’re barely 11 weeks into 2025, and already seven cases of travel-related dengue have been confirmed in the islands — a worrisome reminder to keep yards free of standing water that can breed mosquitoes, lowering risk that the blood sucker-borne viral illness will take hold here and take precautions if visiting areas where the infection is widespread. Read more
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Among seven city projects losing more than $11 million total in federal funds is one that the city should find a way to carry out: planning for a potential rapid transit bus program for the Waianae Coast. Read more
Hawaii’s second measles case in years has been confirmed: an adult in the household of the child who was earlier confirmed; they had recently returned from international travel. Read more
Hawaii’s economic outlook is increasingly anemic, experts say, as the tariff flurry emanating from the White House roils markets, dampens demand and may lead prospective tourists from the mainland U.S., Canada, Japan and South Korea to hunker down at home. Read more
It’s been disconcerting at least, and chilling at worst, to hear of international students being detained or facing deportation by U.S. federal officials for vague or unspecified reasons; some had engaged in freedom of speech. Read more
The state has prevailed against an appeal challenging its bio-engineered strategy to save endangered Maui forest birds. Read more
Hawaii’s year-to-date traffic deaths are up — to 43, as of April 12, as compared to 33 lives lost through April 30, 2024. Read more
Hawaii’s Democratic U.S. Rep. Ed Case voted with the GOP on the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. Read more
First came news last Tuesday that Hawaii has confirmed its first measles case in years, of an unvaccinat- ed 5-year-old who had traveled out of country. Read more
Hawaii’s seniors are breathing a sigh of relief after the Trump administration nixed its plan to cut off phone access to apply for, or update Social Security benefits. Read more
From (nearly) zero to 2,200: Before a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision upended Hawaii’s gun law, just six people were granted a concealed-carry weapons permit over 21 years. Read more
Overcoming controversies such as a zoning exemption for its tower height, the upcoming 43-story Kuilei Place condo project in Moiliili is on its way to supplying 1,005 units in high-demand Oahu, 603 of them as “workforce” housing. Read more
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ aquatic division has found success in “planting” coral grown at the Sand Island-based Hawaii Coral Restoration Nursery, restoring damaged reefs in Oahu waters. Read more
