Opinion and analysis by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board. Get informed with columns and commentary, and submit a letter to the editor.
Mainland gasoline prices are falling below $3 per gallon for the first time in more than three years — lucky them. Hawaii’s unique situation, however, brings us the highest average price per gallon in the nation — topping $4.48 on Monday. Read more
Climate scientists say we must significantly reduce greenhouse gases if we are to leave a livable planet for future generations. Otherwise, it will become increasingly inhospitable to life. Read more
Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration has thrown cold water on a bill to ban single-use plastic bottles at city facilities starting Dec. 31, 2026, then a year later at city-connected concessions, events or programs. Read more
The Honolulu City Council’s Bill 46, establishing a tax for residential properties left empty for more than six months of a year, has gone through a metamorphosis since its last public airing before the Council. Read more
Why did the City Council pay $500,000 for outside counsel regarding pending Bill 46 and then choose to not wait for the results of the consultation? Read more
Is Gov. Josh Green virtue signaling on the backs of our weary taxpayers? His proposed budget calls for dedicating $20 million over two years to “file potential lawsuits against Trump administration policies” (“Hawaii joins ‘blue state’ coalitions to push back against Trump policies,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 8). Read more
Anyone who criticizes President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter should have his heart examined. Read more
This is about full-day TV coverage about a shooting in New York. Apparently, a disgruntled, ticked-off person killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Read more
Russia and America failed to build sustainable governments in Afghanistan that could withstand internal revolt. Read more
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Another reason to worry about the spread of H5N1, a “highly pathogenic avian influenza” that was first detected on Oahu last month, is H5N1’s threat to Hawaii’s endemic birds, particularly water birds, with already dwindling populations. Read more
In recent years, the debate around policing in schools has intensified, revealing deep concerns about the impact of school resource officers (SROs) on marginalized students. Read more
There’s a lot of interest in “person of interest” Luigi Mangione, the one-time Honolulu resident arrested Monday in connection with the New York City killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A Monday search for his Facebook profile was flagged as “popular now” on the social media platform, although it no longer turns up the profile itself. Read more
A Hawaii man now is due to face prosecution for carrying a handgun on private property, charges that were reinstated in February by the Hawaii Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up his appeal. Read more
I’m starting to feel that there’s some truth to those who say that the Democrats have been in power for too long in Hawaii. There’s so much unfinished business. Read more
It was great to hear that the Japan Sumo Association will hold a tournament in London next year. Too bad the article couldn’t have been penned by a local sportswriter instead of using something from The New York Times. Read more
A letter writer’s mobile-home parks idea for Maui is right on (“Mobile home parks may be right answer for Maui,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 28). Read more
It’s been over a month since the national election. Since the GOP victories, nil right-wing voter fraud accusations have been made. Read more
I am not surprised at the number of hate-filled, fear-mongering letters that condemn our new president. Read more
The recent cartoon by Mike Luckovich and the letter, “Harris no match for U.S. racism, sexism,” hit it on the head (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 17). The only title Donald Trump deserves is “greatest con artist of all time.” Read more
Sadly, it was confirmed last week that another backyard flock of ducks had tested positive for avian flu and was euthanized — this time in the Pearl Harbor area. Read more
Less than a year after Honolulu Emergency Medical Services (EMS) became the sole concern of the city Emergency Services Department (HESD) following an Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division spin-off, the ambulance service is facing scrutiny on reports of protracted response times due to long-standing staffing issues. Read more
