The Fundamentals of Land Court, Hawai‘i’s Legal “Enigma”
Here, a longtime real estate attorney explains the advantages – protecting against squatters rights is one – and challenges of Land Court.
Government & Civics
Why Rent Relief in Hawai‘i Became a National Model
The government program helped over 13,000 households. One reason it succeeded may have been that people who had experienced housing instability had a seat at the decision-making table.
ADUs Seemed Like a Simple Solution to Hawai‘i’s Housing Crisis
But the reality of building accessory dwelling units was far more complicated, leading to just a trickle of affordable units. Could regulatory changes boost the numbers?
Can We Stop Illegal Fireworks from Entering Hawai‘i?
Tens of thousands of fireworks are smuggled in each year. While random searches of shipping containers would help, it won’t be easy or cheap.
Hawai‘i Supreme Court Diminishes the Power of Non-Compete Clauses
An employment attorney says the ruling, which follows a national trend, should persuade business owners and employers to review non-compete agreements.
Many Say a Rule Change Would Persuade More People to Volunteer
Members of key state boards must disclose their finances to the public. If a new law is passed, they would still need to disclose the sources of income and debts and what they own, but not the amounts and values.
My Job as a Family Mediator Is to Minimize the Fallout of Divorce
“It’s not divorce that’s bad for kids; it’s conflict,” says Katie Bennett.
Affordable Walk-up Apartments Are Coming Back, Thanks to Honolulu’s Bill 7
Small landowners and developers can use exemptions and waivers to build new multistory rentals on small residential lots – and help ease the housing squeeze.
Many Hawai‘i Defense Jobs Are Not Going to Locals. Advocates Want to Change That.
Despite its tarnished reputation amid the Red Hill water crisis, many think the U.S. military is the best bet for revitalizing the local economy.
Here's How Affordable Housing Policies Have Impacted Hawai‘i's Housing Supply
This report on affordable housing policies by county governments and state agencies provides different perspectives on what works and what doesn’t – and what might work better.
Politics Can Be Like “a Street Brawl Outside a Bar”
David Louie recalls his time as the state’s top lawyer (2011-14) in the memoir, “From the Desk of the Attorney General.” Here are behind-the-scenes excerpts.
Past Attempts to Build a Rail on Oʻahu
Honolulu has talked about building a rail system since 1967.
How Rail Got to $12.45 Billion and 11 Years Late
We sorted through more than a decade of cost overruns, audits and reports to explain how the price soared and why completion fell behind schedule.
How Honolulu's Rail Compares to Other Federally Funded Projects
It’s common for rail projects to have cost overruns, but few are as large as Honolulu's.
The Three Largest Rail Contracts
We looked through the project's publicly available documents to identify the biggest contracts and how much they cost.
A Look at the Rail's Increasing Price Tag and Pushed Back Completion Dates
We tracked some of the project's major milestones, including cost increases, funding deficits, lawsuits and voter input.
Volunteering on Government Boards Yields Emotional, Intellectual and Professional Rewards
Volunteer to serve on a government board or commission and you will have a say in decisions involving land use, affordable housing, taxes or other important issues.
How to Resolve Community Conflicts
Community opposition to proposed projects is nothing new, but it seems to be more common nowadays. And more effective. To get moving on such projects, and others, Hawai‘i must work with communities that are demanding a voice in their future.
The Resilient City Emerging
The pandemic is leaving its mark on cities, impacting urban design, transportation and governance. Five experts reflect on developing trends and future possibilities for resilience in Honolulu.
State of the Unions
Hawai‘i’s workforce is more unionized than any in the country and it’s facing challenges as the pandemic disrupts tourism, government, shipping and other unionized sectors.
"Talent Roadmap" Declares: Now is the Time to Reinvent Hawaiʻi's Economy
The coronavirus has put tens of thousands of local people out of work. Enhancing workforce development is the starting point, according to a report from the Hawaiʻi Executive Collaborative, which is based on input from almost 200 people. The economic impact…
Reopening Hawai‘i Tourism Part II: Should We Change the Visitor Industry?
Many people inside and outside the tourism sector want a reinvention of Hawai‘i’s No. 1 industry so that it welcomes tourists while enhancing sustainability of nature and culture here.
Jones Act: Pro and Con
Advocates say it ensures reliable, on-time delivery of everything Hawai‘i needs, while providing a strong U.S. Merchant Marine in time of war or other crises. Opponents say the Jones Act raises prices for everyone in Hawai‘i and puts those who want to export overseas at a disadvantage.
One-Fourth of Diabetes Patients Lose Limbs. These Doctors Are Trying to Prevent That
In Hawai‘i, diabetes-related complications are worse for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Can limb salvage help reduce amputations?
Honolulu Challenges World’s Priciest Cities for Housing Unaffordability
Hawai‘i’s capital is not alone. Severe housing unaffordability now plagues more and more American and foreign cities.
How Rail Got to $12.45 Billion and 11 Years Late
We sorted through more than a decade of cost overruns, audits and reports to explain how the price soared and why completion fell behind schedule.
