‘Religious Freedom’ Law: The Difference Between Indiana and Hawaii
Indiana’s image is imploding over a new law that many rightly call discriminatory. Hawaii avoided the same fate by letting a similar bill die this session.
Honolulu Rail: Big Questions Demand a Legislative Special Session
Recent surprises including cost overruns, revenue shortfalls and a lack of transparency around subcontractors deserve undivided legislative attention.
Payday Lenders: It’s Time to Rein In Hawaii’s Loan Sharks
New legislation would eliminate the industry’s current 459 percent APR ceiling, but an amendment passed Wednesday makes it unclear what the new cap would be.
Obamacare: 5 Years Later, Federal Health Care Is Succeeding
The Affordable Care Act is insuring record numbers of people and slashing the growth rate of health care costs.
Homelessness: Failures Call Our Values Into Question
As Hawaii continues to spin its wheels on homelessness, valuing people as highly as profit could be exactly the difference this issue needs.
Voting By Mail In Hawaii: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
Hawaii would move to a statewide vote-by-mail process by 2020 if lawmakers pass legislation that’s still under consideration this session.
For House GOP, 2015 Is Off With a Thud
Two member resignations, a death and ongoing difficulties governing have made the first three months of 2015 ones that Speaker Boehner likely would rather forget.
DLNR Chair: Moving Forward From The Ching Debacle
Gov. David Ige’s decision to withdraw his nominee to lead the Department of Land and Natural Resources is likely to benefit him more than a narrow confirmation might have.
Police Reform: High Hopes Dim as Session Unfolds
A month ago, prospects for making key changes in policing seemed bright. Only two significant bills are still breathing, and even their fates are far from certain.
What the Ching Nomination Tells Us About Ige
The governor’s pick to lead DLNR faces an uncertain future, but there’s little doubt about the residue that will be left by a messy confirmation process.