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Honolulu Civil Beat
West Oahu House Race Is One Of The Most Competitive This Year
Four Democrats are competing in the Aug. 10 primary to replace Rep. Cedric Gates in House District 45. Gates is giving up the seat and running for the state Senate instead. The open House seat — covering a swath of West Oahu that includes Waianae, Makaha and Makua — presents a rare opportunity for new voices to make their way into the Legislature, said University of Hawaii political scientist Colin Moore.
Oahu Small Businesses Forge New Strategies To Offset The Decline In Japanese Tourism
For more than 18 years, Sugako Johnson was one of the few Hawaii-based wedding planners who catered specifically to Japanese couples seeking an American-style wedding. Her independent business on Oahu, which she refers to as “a one-man show,” didn’t fit the model for how most of the industry operates.
Wastewater, Housing And Hazard Pay Are Driving The Big Island Mayor’s Race
With a month to go before the primary, Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth is facing significant challenges in his bid to retain his job as Hawaii County’s top executive for another four years. Rather than backing the incumbent, two of Hawaii’s biggest unions representing government white- and blue-collar workers...
Green Wants More Legal Advice Before Filling Senate Vacancy
Gov. Josh Green says if he has to pick a new state senator for District 22 before the Aug. 10 primary it will be Cross Makani Crabbe. Green told reporters at a press conference Wednesday that he is waiting on the state attorney general to tell him whether he has to fill the seat within 60 days after the seat becomes open or can wait until after the primary and let the voters decide which Democrat they want.
Candidate Q&A: State House District 46 — Amy Perruso
Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Aug. 10 Primary Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected. The following came from Amy Perruso, Democratic candidate for State House District 2, which covers a portion...
Candidate Q&A: State House District 27 — Margaret Uy Lim
Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Aug. 10 Primary Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected. The following came from Margaret Uy Lim, Republican candidate for State House District 27, which covers Pacific...
Candidate Q&A: State House District 28 — Ernest Caravalho
Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Aug. 10 Primary Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected. The following came from Ernest Caravalho, Democratic candidate for State House District 28, which covers Sand Island,...
Candidate Q&A: State House District 2 — Tanya Yamanaka Aynessazian
Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Aug. 10 Primary Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected. The following came from Tanya Yamanaka Aynessazian, Democratic candidate for State House District 2, which covers Hilo....
Government Workers In Hawaii Get Paid Not To Work As Misconduct Investigations Drag On For Months Or Years
Whether the Honolulu prosecutor’s office investigator fudged his mileage reimbursements or not is still an open question. At best, the county employee is the victim of confusing office policies, according to case records. At worst, he is allegedly guilty of the theft of $12,018.29. In either case, taxpayers have...
Short-Handed Kona Public Defender’s Office Won’t Accept New Drunken Driving Cases
The Kailua-Kona Public Defender’s Office has stopped accepting new drunken driving cases and the most serious felony cases because it is short-handed, and a retired Big Island judge is warning that it could affect public safety if something isn’t done. The Kona public defender’s office notified the Judiciary...
Naka Nathaniel: Hilo, Of All Places, Seems Poised For Growth
Ever since David Sedaris sold out two shows at UH-Hilo last year, I’ve repeatedly found myself surprised by something in my father’s hometown and joking, “Hilo, who knew?”. Last weekend, my cousins and I were at Haili Church in Hilo talking about the town with the sleepy...
‘The Most Critical Challenge We Face’: Maui Council On Track To Confirm New Housing Director
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen’s selection of Richard Mitchell to head the county’s new standalone Housing Department moved forward Tuesday with unanimous approval by the County Council’s Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee. There was little discussion. The members already know him well. For the past five years,...
Gov. Green Won’t Appoint Leeward Coast Senator Before Primary Election
Gov. Josh Green does not plan to fill a vacant Senate seat representing the Leeward Coast before the primary election, leaving Westside residents without representation in the Legislature’s upper chamber for at least another month. Former Sen. Maile Shimabukuro vacated that seat May 31, and the law requires the...
Hawaii Governor Says Media Operations Should Be Protected During Emergencies
Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday said he would sign a bill intended to protect First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and the press during times of crisis. House Bill 2581, which would have removed the authority of the governor or a mayor to suspend electronic media transmission during a state of emergency, landed on Green’s intent-to-veto list just last month. The governor said then he thought the governor or mayor should have that power.
Candidate Q&A: State House District 25 — Kim Coco Iwamoto
Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Aug. 10 Primary Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected. The following came from Kim Coco Iwamoto, Democratic candidate for State House District 25, which covers Ala...
Candidate Q&A: State House District 25 — Scott Saiki
Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Aug. 10 Primary Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected. The following came from Scott Saiki, Democratic candidate for State House District 25, which covers Ala Moana,...
Candidate Q&A: Office Of Hawaiian Affairs Molokai Trustee — Lu Ann Lankford-Faborito
Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Nov. 8 General Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected. The following came from Lu Ann Lankford-Faborito, candidate for Office of Hawaiian Affairs Molokai trustee. The other...
Candidate Q&A: Office of Hawaiian Affairs Molokai Trustee — R. Kunani Nihipali
Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Nov. 8 General Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected. The following came from R. Kunani Nihipali, candidate for Office of Hawaiian Affairs Molokai trustee. The other...
Police Union Fears HPD Can’t Recruit Its Way Out Of Its Staffing Crisis
Honolulu has increased its efforts to recruit police officers, including a $25,000 signing bonus announced in March, but union officials say the department is losing so many officers per year that focusing on hiring alone won’t do enough to fill its gaping vacancies. Between 2020 and 2023, HPD lost...
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