Three major forces are at the center of any discussion about Hawaii’s ability to work through its problems: Communities – our people and the ties that bind them – Leadership in the political, business and civic sectors, and Native Hawaiians, who are becoming a dynamic political voice.
Investments in public infrastructure need to be made now to bring the state into the 21st century before it devolves into chaos.
As the Hawaii Tourism Authority shifts from marketing to tourism management, the counties are taking matters into their own hands with new hotel bans and airport shuttle systems.
There’s so much to talk about as we emerge from the pandemic with some of the same old arguments, and plenty of new ones.
But clean energy advocates and power producers are pushing back against new Honolulu City Council proposals meant to protect communities from large wind energy projects.
We need to cool down and de-escalate community conflicts. That starts by being more tolerant of people with opposing views.
Message fatigue has become a real concern as Hawaii officials gear up public service announcements reminding people they need to wear masks, wash their hands and stay away from each other.
Administrators say they can make space for more patients, but health care workers are concerned about intense workloads and staying safe.
Little is known about Hui O Maui Citizens For Change but the group is backing conservative-leaning members.
There doesn’t seem to be a clear data strategy for the virus response.
As the district debates reopening metrics and reels from a problematic online education platform, parents are left to pick up the slack so students can continue learning.
The state’s pre-travel testing program is set to launch next month, but other destinations with similar programs have struggled to keep COVID-19 cases from spiking.
Voters will demand competent leaders that talk straight and act decisively, while revenue losses will force unenviable budgetary decisions.
Many local businesses have cut back or closed, putting tens of thousands out of work. Economists say don’t expect a turnaround until at least the middle of next year.
Decisions about programs and policies to combat the virus are happening faster under a newly restructured leadership team.
The pandemic has revealed deep cracks in Hawaii’s government and social system, but also created an opportunity for real change.
The group, seeing gaps in enforcement, has helped state and local investigators track down scofflaw tourists.
The public might have to wait 30 days for details of plans for 16 solar-plus-storage or standalone storage projects on three islands
The new Kahuku wind turbine project is at the heart of a dispute over Hawaii’s open meetings law.
Even the most optimistic solar developer said extended disruptions to projects will have unavoidable consequences.
Some policymakers want to keep wind turbines away from homes but energy developers say there’s not much room to maneuver on a small island.
Hawaii’s leaders are offering developers a chance to skip a major vetting procedure, which could undermine efforts to protect public lands.
Civil Beat interviewed four of Hawaii’s most prominent leaders. They had a lot to say about our growing social and economic problems and the lack of leadership to help resolve them.
Hawaiian Electric says it sees growing issues concerning land use and where to site projects.
Since protests resumed six months ago, top elected officials have struggled to take ownership of resolving issues surrounding a major telescope project.