Politics

A close look at the more than 2,000 bills under consideration at the Hawaii State Capitol reveals that some of those proposals don’t contain any language.

Hawaii’s chief executive says, under current industry estimates, there is not enough land to cover the state’s energy needs solely using photovoltaic solar. But he sees promise in other options for the state to reach 100 percent renewable energy.

Despite a recent high-profile shooting that left two police officers dead and a series of violent robberies, some targeting elderly victims, Hawaii Gov. David Ige says he still believes Hawaii is a safe place to live.

Although a large drop in Hawaii's price of goods and services isn’t likely even as the governor and lawmakers deem it a priority, a small decline may be enough to reverse the trend of population decline.

Following a meeting with President Donald Trump, Maui Mayor Mike Victorino came out in support Friday of Trump’s plan to loosen federal environmental rules on development.

After years of failing to address infrastructure problems at state airports, lawmakers will once again consider making a change this session.

Problems abound but no single issue appears to have yet united Hawaii lawmakers as the opening of the 2020 legislative session approaches on Wednesday.

The 2020 state legislative session hasn’t even begun, but already a dispute is brewing over funding for the University of Hawaii.

In a recent national poll, the YWCA asked female voters what issues are on their minds ahead of the 2020 election.

The number of vacation rentals on Oahu declined more than 5 percent from the same time last year. Honolulu’s recent restrictions on short-term renting appear to be the cause.

A provision in the annual defense appropriation bill authored by Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz would grant 2 million federal workers 12 weeks of paid family leave.

The United States, Mexico, and Canada have finalized the details of a new free trade agreement. Hawaii stands to see modest benefits.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to renew the charter of the Import-Export Bank, largely along party lines, but approval from the Senate is unlikely.

As Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of Hawaii's worst mass shooting, it's worth noting that the state has some of the strictest gun restrictions in the country and the lowest rate of gun deaths.

Although we are still months away from the 2020 Hawaii legislative session, lawmakers are already looking at ways to limit the use of electronic smoking devices.

The decadal counting of every person living in the United States is set to take place in April. There are significant financial consequences to undercounting.  

A former University of Hawaii regent plans to sue over what he calls an unconstitutional reduction of the university’s governing board. State lawmakers cut the number of regents by more than 25 percent in the 2019 legislative session.

Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono is leading an effort to ratify a 40 year old U.N. treaty establishing international rules for global maritime activity. The U.S. signed the pact in 1994, but Congress never gave approval.

Hawaii Governor David Ige on Monday announced he plans to veto a bill that would require short-term rental booking platforms to collect state taxes. The measure, S.B. 1292, was passed by the state Senate last month by a single vote.

Hawai’i’s infrastructure received its first report card and more than half of grades were below passing. 

The State House of Representatives unveiled its election reform bills that crossed over to the Senate.

It was Early Childhood Day at the Capitol and pre-school students rallied for a number of bills before the legislature that impact them.  Children’s Action Network executive director, Deborah Zysman.

The State Legislature is at the one-third mark of its 60-day session.  Today, lawmakers met to pass nearly one thousand bills to be sent to the opposite chamber for further consideration.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell rolled out his $2.83-billion operating budget proposal today for Fiscal Year 2020, which begins July 1st.  He said real property and motor vehicle taxes are expected to bring in 120-million more but other taxes must go up to fund his spending plan. 

The initial findings from O’ahu’s annual homelessness survey on O’ahu’s have been released.

Government and private business partners announced stepped up security efforts in Waikīkī - the state's major economic engine.

State funding for the Ala Wai flood project is moving forward in the legislature, clearing a key committee today.