Climate change intersects with nearly every major challenge we face in Hawaii. Whether it’s protecting our environment, diversifying our economy or building new infrastructure, responding to potentially existential climate change should be foundational to our decision making. Read more
With the right leadership, Hawaii has an opportunity to lead the world with our response to climate change in the coming years. Read more
On Oct. 15, 2006, an earthquake jiggled a mercury switch at Oahu’s Kahe power plant, knocking out power to the island. The lights were out almost everywhere, except at Karen Young’s Waianae home. Read more
Hawaii has long embraced a vision of an all-renewable electricity future, ridding the state of fossil fuels and becoming energy independent. Read more
The last time I authored an op-ed piece was on Dec. 9, in response to the Nov. 30 mass shooting in Michigan, where four students were killed by a shooter who was a student at the school. Read more
The legality of abortions are essential to protect a basic and fundamental human right. Denial of an abortion is a denial of health services and a violation of a woman’s rights. Read more
My story begins with my mother’s strength to keep her pregnancy — to keep me. Eighteen years ago, my mother wept on the cold bathroom floor, her mind swimming Read more
When a child is born, we as parents make a promise to feed, clothe, shelter and nurture that young life. As a society, we promise that children have access to the “great equalizer” — a robust education — so they are prepared to enter the workforce and become productive citizens. Read more
Our public education system is one of the most important institutions in our state. We need great schools to set our keiki up for success wherever they go — but more importantly, to provide them with a solid foundation on which they can build a sustainable, fulfilling life here in Hawaii. Read more
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Every child in Hawaii deserves a quality education, because few things are more important in creating opportunity in a young person’s life. Read more
The issues surrounding the development of a new Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) are much more complex. As members of the commission, our position on a new OCCC does not hinge solely on bail reform. Read more
Imagine the effect on people and communities if Hawaii developed social policies through a public health lens. Read more
Justice Samuel Alito’s leaked draft of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Roe v. Wade is chilling in how little it says about the women whose wombs he is so anxious to regulate. Read more
1969, the last year when abortion was still illegal in Hawaii, I was a community organizer in Kalihi-Palama, collaborating with Native Hawaiians, Samoans, Filipinos. Heart-wrenching decisions were being made. Read more
With May recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s expand our understanding of who needs mental health services. Read more
The well-being and development of children under age 5 is critical to strengthening Hawaii’s communities. Read more
In the spirit of providing information to readers, the Star-Advertiser’s Sunday Insight section asks the main, actively campaigning Democratic gubernatorial candidates — Kirk Caldwell, Vicky Cayetano and Josh Green — about their detailed strategies for Hawaii’s most urgent and toughest issues. Read more
In the spirit of providing information to readers, the Star-Advertiser’s Sunday Insight section asks the main, actively campaigning Democratic gubernatorial candidates — Kirk Caldwell, Vicky Cayetano and Josh Green — about their detailed strategies for Hawaii’s most urgent and toughest issues. Read more
In the spirit of providing information to readers, the Star-Advertiser’s Sunday Insight section asks the main, actively campaigning Democratic gubernatorial candidates — Kirk Caldwell, Vicky Cayetano and Josh Green — about their detailed strategies for Hawaii’s most urgent and toughest issues. Read more
Climate change, sea level rise, biodiversity loss, and food and energy sustainability are all important issues that need to be urgently dealt with as our global population continues to grow and natural resources dwindle. Read more
Most of us in America have watched the events unfolding in Ukraine with disgust and revulsion. Ironically, this numbing avalanche of destruction and slaughter comes at a time when our own angst is already high due to the countless attempts to erode the very democracy we all claim to hold so dearly. Read more
