Editorial: Maui and Hawaii refine STR plans
In early May, Gov. Josh Green signed a law giving counties the specific authority to regulate — and to phase out — short-term rentals (STRs) as part of their authority over zoning. Read more
In early May, Gov. Josh Green signed a law giving counties the specific authority to regulate — and to phase out — short-term rentals (STRs) as part of their authority over zoning. Read more
The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is at a crossroads, after recent years of bumpy operations. Read more
Climate change is unquestionably reshaping island life — from comparatively pronounced seasonal changes and increasingly powerful storms, to existential threats including wildfires and sea level rise. Read more
The Aug. 8 wildfire tragedy that befell Lahaina, Maui and the entire state is so immense that recovery will be years, even decades, in the making. But from the ashes, lessons must be learned now, in the interest of preventing anything of that magnitude from happening again. Read more
The city bought the Waikiki Vista on Kapiolani Boulevard for $37.75 million in November 2022, with the expectation of converting the building, previously used for a dormitory and classrooms, to affordable housing. Read more
In the past 3-1/2 years, President Joe Biden has made significant progress on many domestic goals of his party, including initiatives that are serving Hawaii interests well. Read more
On June 20, Hawaii’s Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Hawaii’s Commission on Water Resource Management failed to protect the public trust, as it is constitutionally required to do, in failing to preserve and protect Central Maui stream flows from diversion. Read more
Just when Oahu’s rail project seemed poised to forge ahead by putting its most-recent turmoil behind, it self-inflicts another wound. Read more
Step by step, Honolulu and the state have been raising the stakes against gambling operations that set up on Oahu. Read more
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The Fourth of July brings communities together in what always is a celebration of America and its institutions of democracy. Typically, it’s a carefree occasion, time to set differences and concerns to one side for fireworks and family. Read more
As a society, there really is nothing more important than protecting and caring for the most vulnerable among us — and that means our keiki and kupuna. Read more
The U.S. Supreme Court’s Friday ruling upholding a ban on homeless residents sleeping outdoors may prove difficult for homeless populations in some states. Read more
Among the 17 bills on Gov. Josh Green’s intent-to-veto list, House Bill 2581 strikes close to the heart for media organizations — whether radio, television or newspaper outlets, which now reach as many or more readers via electronic (digital) means as with paper. Read more
The past 10 months have been decidedly dreadful for Hawaiian Electric. Read more
Visitors who hike up the hot, dry Diamond Head Summit trail are often unhappily surprised to find that they’ve overestimated their own abilities. Read more
Even voters blasé about this election season won’t be able to turn away from tonight’s presidential debate between incumbent Joe Biden and his rival and predecessor, Donald Trump. Read more
Concern over state spending has driven Gov. Josh Green to place an assortment of 17 bills on his intent-to-veto list. Read more
Hawaii homeowners and renters have debated for years with policymakers about units in residential zones used for short-term occupants and vacationers. Read more
The housing situation in Maui is dire. A new report commissioned by the Hawai‘i Land Trust (HILT) documents the distressing detail, with only 25% Maui’s housing units lived in by owners, and speculation-driven home prices rising through the roof. Read more
It was indeed a “great day for our state,” as Gov. Josh Green said, when a settlement was reached Thursday with youth plaintiffs who had sued over the state government’s failure to do enough to rein in carbon pollution. Read more
The state has been struggling to bring early education to more of Hawaii’s children for decades and now at last has begun showing real progress. That’s encouraging, because with every year that preschool is within reach of more kids, the prospects for their success, in school and in life, grow stronger. Read more