Hawaii Independent Staff

Have you lost someone to coronavirus or do you work with victims’ families?

Help us remember Hawaii residents who died of COVID-19. Share their story. Read More »

Let’s Support Teachers 2021

It's back-to-school season, and many teachers are requesting help from the community for supplies and materials. Post a link to your crowdfunding page here, and we'll share your request with our readers. (And we're researching a story about the state of education funding. Can we follow up with you? If so, please provide a phone number in the form. If no, no problem!) Read More »

Amnesty International calls for TMT moratorium

Not a good look for the Ige administration Read More »

Kauai County Primary Election Guide

Your one-stop guide for primary election races in the County of Kauai, with associated research and media links. Read More »

Oahu County Primary Election Guide

Your one-stop guide for primary election races in the County of Oahu, with associated research and media links. Read More »

Maui County Primary Election Guide

Your one-stop guide for primary election races in the County of Maui, with associated research and media links. Read More »

Hawaii County Primary Election Guide

Your one-stop guide for primary election races in the County of Hawaiʻi, with associated research and media links. Read More »

Podium 002: Kim Coco Iwamoto

Editor Will Caron interviews candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaiʻi, Kim Coco Iwamoto. Read More »

Podium 001: Sharon Moriwaki

Editor Will Caron interviews Sharon Moriwaki, a candidate for Hawaiʻi State Senate, District 12. Read More »

Women activists visit Hawaiʻi Island, draw connections between militarized Pacific places

Pōhakuloa, like other important places across the Asia-Pacific region, is home to a military base with live fire training. Read More »

Governor Ige’s 2018 State of the State Address

“Building a Hawaiʻi for Our Children” Read More »

Almost 19 thousand signatories tell A&B to save Manoa monkeypod trees

The land developer had planned on cutting down the iconic trees to make way for more parking at Manoa Marketplace. Read More »

13 ways the Trump-GOP tax plan will hurt working people

According to tax experts, the proposed legislation will benefit the wealthiest Americans—like President Donald Trump, his cabinet and members of Congress—at the expense of working families with children. Read More »

A Thanksgiving guide to indigenous justice

Resources for important holiday discussions with family and loved ones about race and justice Read More »

Kauai doctor, ACLU, sue over federal restrictions on abortion medication

Lawsuit challenges medically unjustified FDA restrictions that push abortion medication out of reach of those who need it most. Read More »

State house reorganizes amid Rail session

The House of Representatives today adopted a resolution formalizing new committee assignments Read More »

Kauaʻi hui sues Syngenta, DLNR to protect Kekaha crown lands Rather than keep us safe, U.S. militarism puts Hawaiʻi in the crosshairs

The very security forces stationed here, ostensibly, to protect Hawaiʻi from potential aggression across the dateline are, in fact, the reason we are still a target for nuclear strike. Read More »

Abigail Kawananakoa v. Kamanao Crabbe

The lawsuit alleges that CEO Crabbe's contract with OHA was signed by then-chair Bob Lindsey without approval from the rest of the OHA board, in violation of statute and OHA’s bylaws. Read More »

People’s Congress to mobilize statewide grassroots advocacy

The Hawaii People’s Congress, a coalition of organizations and individuals from across the islands working to end systemic barriers to justice in the islands, is holding its statewide convening this weekend in Honolulu. Read More »

Bernie made me white →

How mainstream media tried and failed to whitewash Bernie Sanders’ Hawaii win More at ntrsctn »

Hawaiian leaders condemn Naʻi Aupuni ʻAha

Hawaiian community leaders are protesting the Naʻi Aupuni ʻAha today, and have issued a signed declaration rejecting the process and calling on other Hawaiians to do the same. Read More »

Governor Ige’s second state of the state

The governor lays out his intentions for this year: preserving ag land on Maui, revisiting the TMT project, moving the Oahu Correctional Facility to Halawa, houselessness and investing in technology among priorities. Read More »

Right wing ruckus

HIRA leadership lashes out at state GOP chair (again) for failing to increase the number of elected Republicans in Hawaii. Read More »

TMT construction on hold again

The state government discovered large boulders blocking the road to the TMT construction site which it is working on clearing today. Read More »

TPP opposition grows in Hawaii

Coalition of labor, environmental, Native Hawaiian, farmer, and social justice groups urges bold opposition to “fast tracking” the Trans-Pacific Partnership Read More »

Senate dems push for foreign policy shifts

U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) have released new, "forward-looking" foreign policy principles that they hope will do a better job guiding America in its role as a global leader in the 21st Century. Read More »

Gov. Ige to sign nation’s first 100 percent renewable energy requirement

All of Hawaii's electricity must be produced from solar, wind, geothermal, and other clean energy sources, before 2045. Read More »

Mayor Caldwell announces temporary housing plan for houseless

Mayor Caldwell announced a plan to build Hale Mauliola, temporary modular housing, and to provide services for houseless on Sand Island site. Read More »

Governor Ige announces changes to stewardship of Mauna Kea

The governor supports the TMT's right to move forward as well as public right to protest; charges UH with doing a better job serving the mountain's best interests. Read More »

Senate committees finalized

After the senate shakeup that happened at the tail end of the legislative session, the State Senate, now under Ron Kouchi and the Opihi faction, has announced its newly formed committees and their chairs. Read More »

Caldwell vetoes Bill 6: sit-lie expansion

The mayor also offered the City Council a replacement bill which his office feels is legally more sound than the council's Bill 6. Read More »

Schatz opposes TPP fast-track authority

The Hawaii Senator gave a speech in Washington D.C. today in opposition to legislation that would authorize fast-track authority over the trade agreement for the president. Read More »

Mayor Caldwell signs bill to rezone land for Ho‘opili

Mayor Caldwell today signed Bill 3 (2015) into law, rezoning land in West O‘ahu for the Ho‘opili development. Read More »

Environmental groups oppose gutting of environmental funds

15 environmental groups have written an open letter to the State House and Senate finance committee chairs urging them not to appropriate money from, or modify in an any way, several vital environmental funds. Read More »

TMT LLC. handed cease and desist letter

The letter alleges that the TMT project is a war crime. Read More »

The Red Nation stands in solidarity with Native Hawaiians over Mauna Kea →

The indigenous rights and decolonization coalition issued a statement today declaring their support for the Native Hawaiian protestors currently attempting to block construction of the massive Thirty-Meter Telescope project on Hawaii island's Mauna Kea. More at The Red Nation »

TMT protest continues atop Mauna Kea

Social media posts from the ongoing protest: photos, video and commentary Read More »

Nominating committee to interview candidates to the Water Commission DBEDT director confirmation sails through Senate

Unlike the Carleton Ching nomination for the director of DLNR, the confirmation of the director and deputy director for the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism passed committee and the full senate with no hang-ups. Read More »

A Cyclone Destroys a Nation →

Pam, a Category 5 storm, has left most of Vanuatu's population homeless. More at The Atlantic »

Live Blog: Carleton Ching confirmation hearing

Carleton Ching, Castle & Cooke lobbyist and Governor Ige's nominee for head of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, comes before a Senate panel this morning at 10am in Capitol Room 229. Read More »

Testimony against Carlton Ching nomination running 9-1 →

Controversial appointment draws close to 1,000 pieces of testimony More at KITV4 »

Advocates present strategic plan for Hawaiian Homelands

Community advocates for Hawaiian Homelands beneficiaries presented the first-ever community-created strategy for how those lands ought to be used to legislators this week. Read More »

The 12 key highlights from the DOJ’s scathing Ferguson report → Ige announces latest round of administrative appointments

Governor David Ige today announced appointments to his administration in the departments of Health, Public Safety and Transportation, as well as to his communication team. None of the appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate. Read More »

2015 State of the City Address

Transcript of Mayor Caldwell's third state of the city address. Read More »

To the cloud: Ige begins state government tech upgrades

The upgrade to the Human Resources Management System includes a backup and disaster recovery capability in the new Hawaii Government Private Cloud (GPC). Read More »

What does the DLNR do?

Here's what the Department of Land and Natural Resources does, and why it matters Read More »

Cultural practitioners, environmentalists deliver Mauna Kea demands to Governor

No further build-up on Mauna Kea, refusal to accept new UH lease top the list. Read More »

Rep. Carroll resigns over health

State Representative Mele Carroll delivered her letters of resignation to Governor Ige and Speaker Souki today. Ige has 60 days to name a replacement. Read More »

Keystone bill advances in Senate

Senator Brian Schatz stood in opposition to the bill, delivering the following speech on the Senate floor. Senator Hirono also voted nay. Read More »

Maui region hospitals seek solutions for hospitals’ longevity

HHSC Maui region to enter into partnership discussion with Hawai‘i Pacific Health Read More »

A clean energy holiday poem

Blue Planet gets into the holiday spirit with a re-worked "Night Before Christmas" that reviews Hawaii's progress as a clean-energy state during 2014. Read More »

2015 Honolulu real property assessments

The city has determined that taxable real property on Oahu has increased 7.1 percent in value since last year. Read More »

I Mua Mānoa responds to praise for Carbone

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus reform group I Mua Mānoa has issued a press release contesting many of the claims of former Cancer Center director Michele Carbone's success in his position there. Read More »

Hawaiʻi Senate picks committee assignments

The Hawai‘i State Senate has chosen its leadership and committee assignments for the Twenty‐Eighth Legislature (2015‐2016). Read More »

Come celebrate – and protect – the ocean →

Learn about current efforts to protect ocean resources this weekend More at KAHEA » Read More »

Lawmakers “baffled” by HMSA CEO’s statements

TL,DR: HMSA, WTH? Read More »

What to do this weekend →

Take Mom to Showdown in Chinatown, and more More at INHNL »

Dustin Barca enters race for Kauai mayor

"It’s all about the future generations and our vision for Kaua‘i is for them." Read More »

Help to shape the agenda for the 2014 elections What do you think about a $10 fee for trash pickup on Oahu?

Take our short quiz. Read More »

Our Superbowl Special →

Read my lips: no intercepted passes More at Devour »

Make your own 3D chocolate printer – out of Legos →

You may have heard that Hershey is making a chocolate 3D printer. Here's something even better. More at Instructables »

NFL commentary by a British announcer →

Your editor doesn't know football either, but we've been informed that this is funny. More at Kottke.org »

Ku‘i at the capitol

Today was opening day at the Hawaii State Legislature. Hundreds came to the Hawaii State Capitol to pound kalo into pa‘i ‘ai and poi. Read More »

TPP ‘fast track’ is no good →

US Senators Baucus and Camp have introduced legislation which could speed the Trans-Pacific Partnership through Congress. Here's why it's a bad idea. More at The Nation »

How rich is Hawaii’s Congressional delegation? →

Compared to the rest of Congress, Hawaii's reps are middling, at best, in their personal wealth. More at Maui Time »

Clemency for Snowden?

Arguments for, and against, clemency for Edward Snowden. Read More »

How to make the perfect chocolate chip cookie →

Make this and invite us over. More at Serious Eats (via Kottke.org) »

Exploring the arts

We corresponded with Heather Williams of the Art Explorium in Kaimuki as part of our collection on the Makers Movement. Read More »

The worst tweet of the year

This hack may get sacked. Read More »

In this French café, rudeness will cost you more

It's appropriate that this story is from Nice. Read More »

Office of Planning seeks input on Koreatown draft report →

Input is sought by December 13. More at Koreatown Draft Report » Read More »

Watch the Stones write Sympathy for the Devil →

Please allow me to introduce myself, I've got the moves like Jagger. More at Daily Motion »

Are ads on city buses a good idea?

Are self-driving cars a year away? →

Google's attempts to build a self-driving car aren't quite up to speed, but could be good to go in a year. More at The New Yorker » Read More »

A Black Friday death count →

As of this writing, there's been four death and 75 injuries. Happy shopping, everyone. More at Black Friday Death Count »

How to find Waldo →

Impress your friends this weekend. More at Slate »

The Zapruder film in HD panorama Brower backs off from breaking things Firefighters win new collective bargaining agreement →

The Hawaii Fire Fighters Association union has received a tentative deal on a new collective bargaining agreement. According to HFFA President Bobby Lee, a draft arbitration award is now making the rounds throughout the islands. More at Civil Beat »

Sweden: prisoner shortage leads to prison closings → Ground Control to Major Tom – Is it Hammer Time?

Tom Brower has a vigilante – some would say violent – solution to houselessness. Read More »

(American) Football as Football →

Via Jason Kottke:

Football as Football is a collection of American football team logos in the style of European football club badges.
More at Kottke.org »

Mason Chock picked for Kauai county council →

Mason Chock will fill the seat vacated by Nadine Nakamura. Chock is expected to vote in favor of overriding the Mayor's veto of Bill 2491. More at Kauai Eclectic »

Thursday’s top stories

Gay marriage now Hawaii law but faces court challenge today, newborn monk seal closes park, Kauai council mulls GMO veto override today, state stumbles into Obamacare, residents search for loved ones, offer aid in wake of Philippine disaster, no GMO conflict of interest for Big Island councilwoman, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands Read More »

Wednesday’s top stories

Abercrombie to sign gay marriage bill 10 a.m. today, reactions from Legislature, media, interest groups, and more news from all the Hawaiian Islands Read More »

Wikileaks publishes TPP chapter

The released chapter of the secret trade deal includes agreements on patents, copyright, trademarks and industrial design. Read More »

Tuesday’s top stories

U.S. and China military train in Hawaii, state responds to Philippine disaster, same-sex marriage bill heads to Senate, Tulsi Gabbard getting lots of Mainland support, HECO mum on power plans, vets recognized, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands Read More »

Friday’s top stories

Tune in today to Hawaii House debate on gay marriage, rules split Capitol in half as security tightened, Senate expected to go along with House version, judge says gay marriage lawsuit premature, Honolulu school suspends cheerleading because of cyber-bullying, Kauai sets Thursday GMO override session Read More »

Thursday’s top stories

Drama in Hawaii as House advances gay marriage bill, Senate President Kim running for Congress, security tightened for Kauai GMO hearing, first above-average test score for Hawaii students, likely tsunami debris washes up on Windward Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands Read More »

House passes marriage bill on second reading

The House will vote again on Friday. Read More »

Realistically colorized historical photos make the past seem incredibly real →

No, history isn't just black and white. More at 22 Words »

Wednesday’s top stories Tuesday’s top stories Monday’s top stories Star Wars blooper reel

Via Kottke.org. Most of these haven't been seen before. Read More »

Reconnecting with mother chocolate

The latest piece in our series on local food producers is sweet, or sometimes semi-sweet. Whole Foods x The Hawaii Independent Read More »