The Governor’s Choice: Hawai‘i’s Undemocratic Cycle of Influence and Power
The governor’s power to fill vacant seats in the state Legislature has been used at least 82 times. Some appointees then launched big political careers.
In-Depth Reports
More Guns, More Gun Violence in Hawai‘i
Firearm registrations are up 280.5% since 2000, with gun deaths rising sharply as well. Should Hawai‘i be doing more to control firearms?
Hospice in Hawai‘i: Myths Vs. Reality
End-of-life care professionals debunk misconceptions and explain how to find the best hospice services for your loved ones.
The Tiny Oilseed That Could Help Power Hawai‘i’s Energy Future
Some of the state’s biggest companies are working to turn a cover crop into renewable fuel for utilities, vehicles and passenger planes.
Seeking a Way Forward on Ceded Lands
The standoff at Maunakea helped spur a new effort at finding solutions after more than a century of mismanagement of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s ceded lands, often called Kingdom Lands.
Some Vacationers Wonder: Is It Possible to be a Good Tourist in Hawai‘i, or Should I Just Stay Away?
Globally, many popular destinations are experiencing a backlash against tourism. Here are multiple perspectives on the message that Hawai‘i should send to potential visitors.
Navigating Hawai‘i’s Family-Leave Maze
Rules and policies can leave parents broke and jobless, or push them back to work long before they or their infants are ready. Can the system be fixed?
On Kaua‘i, the Biggest Home Developer Is the County
The county’s Housing Agency and its private partners are now working on 509 affordable homes, with another 860 expected to break ground in about 2025.
Gen Z Is Shaking Up Hawai‘i’s Workplaces. Are You Ready?
Here’s what managers and Gen Zers say about generational stereotypes, and how to help young employees succeed.
Native Hawaiians Don’t Own Many Local Hotels. Here’s Why That May Change.
While the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and ali‘i trusts collect land rents from 18 hotels, some Hawaiian groups are aiming for ownership.
The Heat Is Rising in Honolulu. More Trees Will Help Cool It Off.
Hawai‘i organizations were awarded $42.6 million in federal funds to expand the urban tree canopy. Some neighborhoods need it more than others.
Private Equity Owns a Big Chunk of Hawai‘i’s Hotels. Here’s Why That Matters.
Private equity companies own almost 30% of Hawai‘i’s hotel rooms, a huge increase in the past two decades. We investigate the pros and cons.
Honolulu Harbor Isn’t Ready for Climate Change
But the new Kapālama Container Terminal is the first step in an ambitious plan to create a more resilient port and cope with a rising ocean.
The Goal: Tourism That Regenerates Hawai‘i, Not Degrades It
A program that limits access at Kaua‘i’s Hā‘ena State Park and raises local dollars is considered a model for places inundated by visitors.
“Living Paycheck to Paycheck Can Be Scary”: How Nonprofits Help Hawai‘i’s Struggling Middle Class Gain Financial Stability
In America’s most costly state, 44% of people can’t afford basic expenses and many more barely stay afloat. But there’s help for the wide spectrum of ALICE residents, including highly educated yet underpaid professionals.
In Hawai‘i’s Housing Crunch, Tenants Are Vulnerable to Rent Hikes and Evictions. Here’s What They Need to Know.
This overview of renter protections explains what their rights are, where to get help and how Hawai‘i’s laws stack up against other states.
Growing Up in an Age of Anxiety
Hawai‘i’s young people are struggling with mental health issues. Nearly half of high school girls and 60% of LGBTQ+ students experience depression. And help can be hard to find.
What Happens When Private Equity Is Your Landlord in Hawai‘i
The Blackstone Group and other firms have been buying rental properties in West O‘ahu. Tenants say the result can be escalating rents and unexpected fees.
Tracking Hawai‘i Paychecks Versus Living Costs Since 1969
To see if people are better off than their grandparents, we compared wages after inflation, debt loads, where people spent their money and more.
Why Hawai‘i’s Wildfires Are Growing Bigger and More Intense
The disaster on Maui is a sign of things to come as invasive grasses spread across the landscape and extreme rain-drought cycles intensify their fuel loads. Here's the science behind Hawai‘i’s wildfires, and the people who are fighting to stop them.
“It’s Always Different”: 5 Child Care Providers Share Their Challenges and Joys
They spend long days teaching, cooking, cleaning and comforting keiki. And please don’t call it “babysitting.”
Child Care Is a Labor of Love (Translation: It Doesn’t Pay a Living Wage)
But raising those wages would squeeze tens of thousands of working Hawai‘i families dependent on child care. Here’s the problem and possible solutions.
“Home for Sale” Sometimes Means Renters are Displaced
About 40% of Hawai‘i households are renters. Their relationships with their landlords can be friendly and supportive. But this two-part report examines when the wants and needs of tenants and landlords conflict, with perspectives from both sides.
The Fundamentals of Land Court, Hawai‘i’s Legal “Enigma”
Here, a longtime real estate attorney explains the advantages – protecting against squatters rights is one – and challenges of Land Court.