Politics

The Honolulu City Council Budget Committee reviewed the Mayor’s nearly 3.5 billion dollar operating and construction budget for 2019 today.  One request from the Mayor was for $44-million in financing for the Honolulu Rail Transit project.  Budget Committee chair, Trevor Ozawa, asked HART chief financial officer, Robert Yu, if the funding was required.

Some of Hawai’i’s major labor unions are gearing up for a tough year ahead. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustees met today in closed session to deliberate about the future of their only employee. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka has this update.

The State Ethics Commission announced a settlement in the sexual harassment investigation of Hawai’i’s most senior lawmaker. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

State lawmakers are considering legislation to direct the U.S. Navy to build safeguards at its Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The Honolulu City Council voted in new leadership today. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka has this update.

The State Department of Health unveiled its latest report, Hawai’i’s Tobacco Landscape, to announce the achievement of a major milestone in its prevention efforts. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The State Legislative Auditor briefed a Senate Committee on the results of an audit of the Public Utilities Commission completed in February. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The Honolulu City Council is scheduled to reorganize and appoint members to key leadership positions next week. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka has this update.

A temporary ban on over-sized homes on O’ahu was formally implemented today. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. 

There are more than 12-hundred bills still alive at the State Legislature, half-way through the session. But, as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, not all of the measures are sweeping, high-impact legislation.

The Pacific Operational Science and Technology Conference in Honolulu featured an Oceanit presentation, “Can Machines Think?” HPR's Wayne Yoshioka reports. 

The Hawai’i Tourism Authority hosted its Spring Marketing Update today.   As HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, the tourism industry does not appear to be slowing down.   

The State Legislature is nearing the halfway point when bills must clear the first hurdle in that process. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.  

Renew-Rebuild Hawai’i hosted a panel discussion today on energy resilience and development. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

State lawmakers are tallying spending bills to balance the budget. But, as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, there are some bumps in the road.

The House Health and Human Services and Judiciary Committees heard public testimony today on medical aid in dying legislation. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

They represent one percent of Hawai’i’s public school population and their parents want them to be the best that they can be. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka has their story.

The State Legislature is considering a number of ways to ease homelessness statewide. But, for one key lawmaker, the way forward is a community solution. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

There are more than 550 bills relating to affordable housing this legislative session. But, there’s one community model that could be duplicated statewide.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The State released its report today on the false missile alert January 13th.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The state department with the largest operating budget is asking lawmakers to help make it more efficient. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

A number of proposed bills dealing with cesspools are advancing in the House of Representatives this session. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka has this update.

A Bill calling for more immediate steps to prevent fuel spills at the Navy’s Red Hill Storage Facility stalled in the House today. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is hosting a 2-day forum to attract private development partners. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

A joint Senate Committee conducted a public hearing on a measure to overhaul the management of Mauna Kea. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The State Legislature is considering a number of bills in the aftermath of the False Missile Alert Jan 13th. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. 

A number of bills addressing homelessness are being considered by the Hawai’i legislature. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. 

The Board of Water Supply is continuing its push for legislation to upgrade the Navy’s Red Hill Fuel Storage tanks. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.