Kokua Line: Should I return Venmo payment from stranger?

• By Christine Donnelly
• April 28, 2024
• 2

Venmo is meant to be used among friends settling up group bills, for example, so any payment from a stranger who then wants the money back raises red flags. Read more

David Shapiro: Discord drives the beat at the heart of HART

• By David Shapiro, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• April 28, 2024
• 111

We had brief hope the bedeviled Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation might be on track to some measure of stability. Read more

On Politics: Legislature’s budget aided by government contracts

• By Richard Borreca Special to the Star-Advertiser
• April 28, 2024
• 8

This was written before the 2024 edition of the state Legislature said “Pau, enough” and closed the books for the year, so there is some peril in first saying that it is really finished, and second, in judging the work product. Read more

Dave Reardon: An elite QB is a wasted pick without some support

• By Dave Reardon
• April 28, 2024
• 2

A record-tying six quarterbacks were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, matching 1983, which was known as the Year of the Quarterback. But this time the six went in the first 12 picks, compared to the first 27 in ’83. Read more

Column: Ola ka ‘ōlelo i ka lohe ‘ia o ka leo a me ka ‘ike ‘ia o ka hua

• By Keola Swain, Lopaka Weltman, Scubie Hasegawa, Yuko Uchida
• April 27, 2024
• 5

Synopsis: How can spoken Hawaiian become more commonly used and heard? Read more

Rearview Mirror: Here’s to the ‘Suck ’Em Up’ saga

• By Bob Sigall
• April 26, 2024
• 4

One reader said he vaguely remembered reading about a horse named Suck ’Em Up, owned by Duke Kahana­moku. He asked whether I could verify that. Read more

Kokua Line: Can I ignore letter from Census Bureau?

• By Christine Donnelly
• April 26, 2024
• 12

Question: I received a letter claiming to be from the U.S. Census Bureau notifying me that my participation in an “important survey … is essential.” Read more

Kokua Line: How do I qualify for Medicare’s Extra Help program?

• By Christine Donnelly
• April 25, 2024
• 1

Question: I’m an applicant for Medicare’s Extra Help program and they want details about my checking and/or savings account and any stocks, bonds, mutual funds, IRAs, etc. This surprised me. Don’t they need just my Social Security income to qualify me? Read more

Dave Reardon: ‘Bows have climbed midseason mountains before

• By Dave Reardon
• April 24, 2024

In coach Rich Hill’s first two years as the University of Hawaii baseball coach, the Rainbows heated up around the middle of both seasons. Read more

Tech View: Easing limits on beekeepers will help build food security

• By Rob Kay
• April 24, 2024
• 6

Beekeeping in Hawaii dates to 1857, when the first hives were introduced from California. In 2024, honeybees and their keepers face tremendous pressures. Read more

Kokua Line: Is there an age when I can no longer renew my driver’s license?

• By Christine Donnelly
• April 24, 2024
• 12

Question: I am 88 years of age. Is there an age when I can no longer be issued a Hawaii driver’s license if all other requirements are met? Read more

Kokua Line: Where can I find out about Summer Fun?

• By Christine Donnelly
• April 23, 2024
• 2

Question: I saw they are hiring for Summer Fun. When does this program start and when can we sign up our kids? Read more

Stephen Tsai: Playing field finally being leveled for college athletes

• By Stephen Tsai
• April 23, 2024

This is the deal of the art: In a back-in-the-day scenario, you were recruited to work at a comic-book company. You received free lodging, three meals a day, and art supplies. Read more

Sjarif Goldstein: Rojas, Wong among those from Hawaii out to extend, build careers

• By Sjarif Goldstein
• April 22, 2024

Now that baseball season has settled down and we’ve gotten the whole Shohei Ohtani’s gambling-addicted interpreter thing straightened out, we can focus on the game itself — specifically, on the players from Hawaii who are trying to build (or extend) their careers. Read more

Dave Reardon: Is it time for Hawaii men’s volleyball to reset, rebuild or reload?

• By Dave Reardon
• April 21, 2024
• 46

Most volleyball fans get it about sportsmanship, as much or more than those of any other game. Read more

David Shapiro: Mayor Bissen led from the rear in fighting Lahaina’s fire

• By David Shapiro, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• April 21, 2024
• 89

Kokua Line: Why did I get check for catheters?

• By Christine Donnelly
• April 21, 2024
• 1

This catheter scam is so pervasive that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Serv­ices Office of Inspector General issued a consumer alert about it last month. Read more

On Politics: Detailed report on Maui wildfires has somber lessons for all, underscoring preparedness

• By Richard Borreca Special to the Star-Advertiser
• April 21, 2024
• 17

The Hawaii attorney general’s new report on Lahaina’s tragic August fire goes into the minute details of the fire and the official response as Maui’s outstanding firefighters battled the blaze. Read more