Opinions, guest essays and editorials from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Featuring Kokua Line, Rearview Mirror, David Shapiro, Richard Borreca and others.
Even in the quiet, before the closing-day speeches in the first days of May, this year’s state Legislature is significant. The promise is that they will be back for a special session. Read more
In the near future — starting Monday — bills concerning high school surfing, sports gambling and the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District have made it to the red zone. Read more
Hawaii U.S. Rep. Ed Case has put a target on his back among some fellow Democrats for his moderate course in this most immoderate political time. Read more
Question: I called Social Security and was on hold for a long time and finally hung up without speaking to anyone, but then about a week later I got an email about my benefit statement. Read more
Synopsis: ChatGPT could be a powerful tool that would support the spread of the Hawaiian language. Read more
One of the great puzzles in evolutionary biology is why humans live so long after they stop having children. Most animals reproduce until late in life, and their biological usefulness fades when they can no longer reproduce. But human women typically live decades after menopause. Why? Read more
Question: I added my Hawaii REAL ID driver’s license to my Apple Wallet but can’t get through all the steps for it to be verified as a digital ID I can use at the airport. One problem is that I’m told to input a verification code, but I don’t have a code. Was that supposed to come from Apple? Read more
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
Sometimes the stars align and things that seem improbable somehow come together and make sense. Read more
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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
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
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
Question: Does anybody know how many feral cats there are on Oahu? Read more
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
For many children, going to school means everything to them. We can do more to help get them there safely. Read more
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
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
We must continue to teach the power of positive speech — communication that is truthful, honorable, ethical and kind. Read more
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
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
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
