Hawaii Pension Fund Shortfall Hits $12 Billion
Hawaii lawmakers are set to open the 2017 session on Jan. 18 with millions of dollars in projects and services on their respective wish lists. But the budget is getting whacked before they even begin....
View ArticleIan Lind: Police May Be Blocked From Aerial Surveillance In Hawaii
Does the state constitution’s explicit recognition and protection of personal privacy require police to get a valid search warrant before sending surveillance flights over a suspected drug dealer’s...
View ArticleTad Bartimus: How A Maui Woman Launched A Global Movement
Editor’s Note: Today we welcome our newest columnist, Tad Bartimus, a veteran journalist and author who has made Hana her home for many years. She is the founder of the Talk Story, Write Story...
View ArticleChaos At OHA: A Power Struggle And Employee Accusations
As the new board chair of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Rowena Akana, pushes to remove its chief executive officer, Civil Beat has obtained documents indicating that dozens of human resources...
View ArticleSTEM Jobs? Not In Honolulu
With STEM jobs — it stands for science, technology, engineering and math — expected to grow 1.7 times faster than non-STEM jobs in the coming years, WalletHub has a new analysis of 2017’s Best &...
View ArticleWant To Be On Hawaii’s 2020 Presidential Ballot? Show Us Your Taxes
Incensed that President-elect Donald Trump still won’t make public his tax returns, state Rep. Chris Lee is trying to do something about it. The Democrat from Windward Oahu will introduce during the...
View ArticleSewage Spills Will Likely Continue Near Ko Olina Until Pipes Replaced
Sewage spills are likely to continue in West Kapolei near Ko Olina until corroded pipes are replaced at an estimated cost of $20 million, a Honolulu City Council committee was told Wednesday. Earlier...
View ArticleCaldwell: There’s Likely No Deal Yet On Police Chief’s Departure
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Wednesday said he doubts a final agreement has been reached yet between the Police Commission and Police Chief Louis Kealoha over a possible payout to the chief in...
View ArticleMore Money Sought To Fix Hawaii’s Harbors, Airports And Roads
Hawaii Department of Transportation officials told state lawmakers Wednesday that they need dozens of new positions and millions of additional dollars to continue with plans to modernize airports,...
View ArticleAddress Teacher Shortage By Developing Educational Assistants
My school day as a high school special education teacher is never typical and that’s what I love about it. I also love my job because of the tremendous support system I have in place every day with my...
View ArticleTad Bartimus: Woman Who Started March On DC Is A Real Trailblazer
Editor’s note: This is the conclusion of Maui columnist Tad Bartimus’ two-part report on the Hana woman who inspired the upcoming March on Washington. Read the first part here. HANA, Maui — Teresa...
View ArticleHow Hawaii’s Prisoners Are Ending Up In Facilities All Over The Country
Frank Pauline Jr.’s violent death occurred more than 3,000 miles from home. In April 2015, the Hawaii resident was walking laps around the recreation yard of the Southern New Mexico Correctional...
View ArticleSchatz Gets Key Role On Military Panel
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz has been named the top Democrat on the Senate military construction and veterans affairs subcommittee. The subcommittee is part of the all-important Senate Appropriations...
View ArticleOHA Trustees Walk Out After Chair Squelches Public Testimony
A Board of Trustees meeting at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs abruptly ended shortly after it started Thursday when a majority of the members walked out. At least five trustees walked out after Chair...
View ArticleHawaii Sued By Supporters Of Medical Aid In Dying
A lawsuit filed Wednesday against the state of Hawaii aims to grant terminally ill, mentally competent patients the right to medical aid in dying. Plaintiffs, including the nonprofit organization...
View ArticleHirono Takes Stand Against Attorney General Nominee
Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Thursday she plans to vote against the nomination of her colleague, Sen. Jeff Sessions, a conservative Republican from...
View ArticleState Says Number Of Available Shelter Beds Will Go Up In 2017
State contracts that support homeless shelter operations will fund nearly 200 more shelter beds in 2017 compared to last year, Gov. David Ige announced Thursday. That’s despite concerns that a new...
View ArticleIs Hawaii Spending Enough To Protect Its Natural Resources?
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources is tasked with regulating 750 miles of coastline, 1.3 million acres of public lands and 3 million acres of ocean. The state’s tourism-driven economy...
View ArticleNo Quick Fixes For Prison Overcrowding In Ige’s Budget
Days after critics called for a federal probe into “unconstitutional” conditions at the state’s prisons and jails, Hawaii Department of Public Safety officials fielded questions from state lawmakers...
View ArticleDeath And Taxes: Two Certainties For This Year’s Hawaii Legislature
Can a longtime lobbyist sick with cancer persuade the Hawaii Legislature to pass medical aid in dying legislation? If anyone can do it, it might be John Radcliffe. He has represented clients with...
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