Opinion and analysis by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board. Get informed with columns and commentary, and submit a letter to the editor.
Preschool Open Doors has opened its doors wider. The subsidies for preschool attendance are now available to children age 3 as well as 4, thanks in part to an additional $50 million allocated. Income eligibility also has been broadened so that more families can qualify for help. Read more
Honolulu’s sharpened focus on ocean safety is coming into view, taking the shape of new lifeguard towers as well as plans for a new facility with offices and storage for Windward Oahu lifeguard operations. Read more
At present, applicants for a Honolulu building permit must include a sworn, notarized affidavit declaring they have no outstanding fines or liens payable to the city before a permit can be issued. Read more
In light of all the Maui fires, I think back to the sugar cane days when this never happened. Read more
A Maui homeowner recently complained that his three rental properties would be affected by the proposed short-term rental ban. One assumes that he also owns the property where he resides. Read more
A lot has been in the news about the opossum that was found in downtown Honolulu. It was caught alive, but soon afterwards euthanized to inspect for rabies. Read more
Sunday’s headline story was about fears of voter apathy. If anyone you know is not registered or not voting, ask them what they would do if they couldn’t vote for governor for most of their adult life? Read more
Campaign season has come and the same flowers are blooming: promises that might be kindly described as “placebos,” or less charitably as “snake oil.” Read more
Kamala Harris should initiate a national crusade to address the roots of the gun violence that led to the wounding of Donald Trump and the death of a Trump supporter. Read more
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For those who still worry that putting a ballot in the mail or a drop box is like sending it into the ether: No worries are necessary. Voters are invited to sign up for ballot notifications. Read more
Hawaii has enthusiastically embraced electric vehicles (EVs), with more than 32,000 registered EVs and an annual growth rate of over 25%. With a growing number of EVs on the road, a robust public charging network is crucial for more equitable and widespread adoption and encourages EV rentals for our visitor industry. Read more
Community arts and culture nonprofit Pu‘uhonua Society, La Ho‘iho‘i Ea and the national “Arts for Every Body” initiative have partnered to present an outdoor celebration 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Thomas Square, the site of the restoration of Hawaii’s sovereignty in 1843. Read more
Ballots have been mailed out to registered voters, and should have arrived at homes by now. All adult residents of Hawaii now need to do their democratic duty and make their values and choices known, by casting a vote. Read more
Hawaiian Electric is a public utility and as such is guaranteed certain rates set by the Public Utilities Commission in exchange for providing reliable, economical and safe electricity to the public. Read more
Hawaii needs to jail and fine not only a killer who uses a deadly weapon, but also the family, friends and any other people who supported them in gun ownership. Read more
Now that our conservative Supreme Court justices have created a major headache with its ruling on presidential immunity, will the court accept any and all decisions by a lower court judge on what is an “official act” or “unofficial act”? Read more
I remember when Trump was president. Life was good, the economy was great, I was making pretty good money and my savings accounts were doing well. Read more
I agree with a recent letter writer. Yes, “God help us” if former president and current felon Donald Trump were re-elected. Read more
Joe Biden’s recent announcement of dropping out of the presidential election is not surprising, but it surely is admirable knowing how difficult a decision it must have been. Read more
Companies are grappling with fallout from Friday’s technology outage, triggered by a faulty update CrowdStrike pushed out for its widely-used cybersecurity software. Read more
Experience counts in the races for the Honolulu City Council, as for all elected officials, which is why the two candidates in the active contests with the most significant track records are the ones who voters should choose during the primary election cycle. Read more
