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If real change is to happen, voters and journalists will have to keep up the pressure on state and county leaders.

The controversy over plans for a commercial luau in Kapiolani Park is part of a larger clash between Native Hawaiian groups and city officials over where shows can be held.

Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawaii.

Progress is stalling on dozens of important bills as the end of the legislative session approaches.

A bill being pushed through the Legislature to increase affordable housing will actually result in higher housing prices.

Hawaii’s political system is broken. It’s up to us to fix it by being more discerning voters and active citizens.

Racial divisions on the mainland increased in the wake of the O.J. Simpson trial in 1995. In Hawaii, a racially charged murder case in the 1930s had the opposite effect.

A loophole in Hawaii’s campaign finance laws have allowed government contractors to pour millions of dollars into politicians’ campaign bank accounts. A lot of money has changed hands at lavish parties over the years.

Companies that get government contracts can’t give directly to campaigns but their owners, officers and family members can. That’s long been an enormous loophole that legislators just failed to address — again.

Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawaii.