Kokua Line: How many states issue non-compliant IDs?
Question: The state of Hawaii issues a noncompliant driver’s license or ID for people who can’t get or don’t want to get a REAL ID with the gold star. Do other states do this? Read more
Featured Columns
Opinions, guest essays and editorials from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Featuring Kokua Line, Rearview Mirror, David Shapiro, Richard Borreca and others.
Kokua Line: How would DOH enforce measles rule at schools?
Question: Regarding the emergency rule suspending the religious exemption for the MMR vaccine for 120 days to prevent a measles outbreak in Hawaii, where can we read the full emergency rule? Will K-12 students with religious exemptions who don’t get the MMR vaccine be kept out of school? Read more
Tech View: How does tech opposition affect Hawaii’s economy?
Local opposition to the Thirty-Meter Telescope, biomass energy production and transgenic technologies (commonly known as genetically modified organisms, or GMOs) have been well documented in this newspaper. Read more
Stephen Tsai: Spring portal brings uncertainty, opportunity for Warriors
In the days ahead of the start of spring training in February, University of Hawaii coach Timmy Chang was asked to assess his 2025 football team. Read more
Kokua Line: How many feral cats live on Oahu?
Question: Does anybody know how many feral cats there are on Oahu? Read more
Curtis Murayama: Even UH students can ace an NFL mock draft
Ah, the NFL Draft. If you have a favorite NFL team, enjoy the NFL or play fantasy football, then this time should pique your interest. Read more
Island Voices: Keiki need more safe routes to school
For many children, going to school means everything to them. We can do more to help get them there safely. Read more
Kokua Line: Would Hawaii REAL ID satisfy SAVE Act?
Question: Regarding the SAVE Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship before someone can register to vote, if this passes would a current Hawaii REAL ID be enough proof? I don’t have a passport. Also, would this affect people already registered to vote? Read more
Volcanic Ash: It’s the unlearned lessons that defeat a better Hawaii
Hawaii Tourism Authority board Chair Todd Apo was way premature in urging the board to “put to bed” and “move on” from concerns raised by a state audit about questionable discounts given by the Hawai‘i Convention Center to two nonprofits associated with former HTA board Chair Mufi Hannemann. Read more
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Island Voices: We must teach, model pono speech
We must continue to teach the power of positive speech — communication that is truthful, honorable, ethical and kind. Read more
Richard Borreca: Dentists gnashing teeth over fluoridation rollback
Hawaii’s state Legislature has previously considered taking action on a statewide fluoridation ban, but without enough interest to pass it into law this year. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Staff’s elaborate pranks continue to be legendary
Who were the greatest practical jokers in Hawaii? Many of you might say disc jockey Hal “Aku” Lewis deserves the top spot. He had some great pranks, targeted mostly at everyone. Read more
Kokua Line: Why has Social Security website been down?
Question: Auwe! I wanted to apply for my Social Security online but couldn’t create an online account (technical difficulties). I would call even if I had to stay on hold for hours, but what’s the point if they’re not letting people file over the phone? Grrrr! Read more
Kokua Line: When will Ala Moana overpass open?
Question: When will the Ward Village to Kewalo Basin pedestrian overpass open? I read online it was supposed to have opened in January, but I just went there and it’s still closed. Read more
Tech View: Make smart choices when utilizing VPNs
Free Wi-Fi networks are everywhere nowadays, tempting folks to jump on and save the data usage in their cellphone plans. Read more
Kokua Line: Will Ho‘omaluhia fishing require reservation?
Question: I saw on the news that they are finally reopening Ho‘omaluhia fishing and you make a reservation online. Is that required? I can’t plan too far ahead with my grandkids. Read more
Stephen Tsai: UH should look for the next Stan Sheriff as its new AD
Take any metrics and point-value system and the conclusion is this: Stan Sheriff was the University of Hawaii’s best athletic director. Read more
Kokua Line: Do anti-fraud webinars start today?
Question: I received an unusual email, supposedly from the IRS. I think it is a scam, but since usually I have filed my taxes by now, I’m not sure if it’s something they send to procrastinators and that’s why I’ve never seen it before. Read more
Sjarif Goldstein: Hawaii storylines to follow in pro baseball
The Hawaii Baseball Report made its 2025 debut in Sunday’s Sports section, keeping readers up to date on professional baseball players with Hawaii ties. Read more
Dave Reardon: Firing a successful coach is nothing new at Kahuku
Sterling Carvalho’s Kahuku teams won three state crowns in a row before losing in the championship final last fall to its chief rival of the past 40 years in such games, Saint Louis. Read more
Kokua Line: Where can I check school’s vaccination rate?
If a parent doesn’t vaccinate their child for measles and gets a religious exemption, does that exemption guarantee the child will be allowed to go to school if there is a measles outbreak? Read more
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Kokua Line: How many states issue non-compliant IDs?
