Off the news: Council defers vote on empty homes tax
Bill 46, which would create a new “residential E” tax category for residential properties left empty more than six months a year, is on ice for now. Read more
Opinion and analysis by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board. Get informed with columns and commentary, and submit a letter to the editor.
Bill 46, which would create a new “residential E” tax category for residential properties left empty more than six months a year, is on ice for now. Read more
After more than a month of pleading for the public’s help to find her, the family of Hannah Kobayashi, 30, confirmed Wednesday that the missing Maui woman has been located and is safe. Read more
Changes are coming for flyers using Hawaiian Airlines, as its new parent company, Alaska Air, revamps routes, planes and services to boost profits. Read more
Political incompetence is responsible for an escalation in gun crime incidents in Hawaii. Failure to pass common- sense legislation means protections for Hawaii citizens and visitors do not exist. Read more
Applause for the Hawaii Supreme Court, particularly Associate Justice Todd Eddins, for taking a stand against carrying firearms outside the home, as reported in a recent editorial (“Court reiterates gun safety stance,” Star- Advertiser, Our View, Dec. 10). Read more
The medical journal Lancet recently released a study that predicts that by 2050, 2 in 3 adults, 1 in 3 teens and 1 in 5 children in the U.S. will be obese. Read more
When David Murdock bought Castle & Cooke in 1985, he had his eye on building houses, which we need, on Dole’s agricultural land in Central Oahu. Read more
There is something missing when our goal is to increase enrollment at our universities, community colleges and preschools, but we cut our library system budget. Read more
Donald Trump calls Republicans who don’t like him “RINOs,” or Republicans in name only. Tulsi Gabbard in 2022 declared she was leaving the Democratic Party to become an independent, then joined the Republican Party this year. Gabbard is a DINO, or Democrat in name only. Read more
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Take very seriously today’s “red flag” weather warning for the leeward areas of all Hawaiian isles, posted till at least 6 p.m. tonight. Read more
Over the past month, new developments on two fatal shootings by Honolulu police and one related case of alleged police brutality have stirred public emotions about right and wrong. About crossing lines that are not clearly black or white. About the very nature of justice. Read more
Some of the world’s biggest food conglomerates are being sued for allegedly designing “ultra-processed” foods, such as sugary soft drinks and packaged snacks, to be addictive to children. It’s a charge that overlaps with criticisms of the U.S. food chain raised by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., recently tapped to serve as head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Read more
The recent controversy over the leader of Taiwan region, Lai Ching-te’s stopover in Hawaii, as part of his broader tour of Pacific island nations, has once again brought the Taiwan question to the forefront of U.S.-China relations. Read more
A recent article claiming Hawaii’s motorists are the worst in America is only partly correct. I have lived in a number of major cities in the U.S., as well as Japan. My own observations agree we have the worst drivers, but we also have the best. Read more
This is regarding the “world-class” bridge under construction in Kakaako (“‘World-class’ pedestrian bridge nears completion after much delay,” Star- Advertiser, Nov. 24). Read more
Hawaii Public Radio reports that this year the Hawaii Ant Lab detected 19 new little fire ant (LFA) sites on Oahu and eight new sites each on Maui and Kauai. Read more
Don’t get me wrong, I really am a fan of University of Hawaii football. But when you travel 4,000 miles to throw five interceptions and lose 55 to 10, one has to wonder if we really need a team. Read more
It seems our policymakers are coaxed into bad decisions on almost everything from finance to national defense. Read more
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