Politics

The Hurricane Season Forecast for the state was announced today.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka was there and files this report.   

The Honolulu City Council is urging the formation of a Task Force to clear illegal homeless camps.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. 

The latest homeless point-in-time count indicates an increase among veterans on Oʻahu. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka talked to veterans and homeless assistance providers for this update. 

The Hawai’i Community Foundation is the top nonprofit contributor in the state and is undergoing a transition to new leadership over the next two months. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. 

The state conducted another public hearing for its proposed rule changes for workforce and reserved housing in Kaka’ako. But, as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, developers and community groups disagree on the way forward.

The state’s chief executive addressed Rotary Club of Honolulu members today during their weekly meeting in Waikiki. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka was there and filed this report.

The state launched a public hearing schedule today to determine the feasibility of growing industrial hemp in Hawai’i. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. 

The State and Counties are trying to meet a projected demand for 65-thousand housing units by 2030.  That estimate from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.   But as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, one millennial couple is not waiting for the government and is choosing to buy now.

Loren Bullard and fiancé Colin Hosking are Millennials in their early 30’s.   They took classes at the Hawai’i HomeOwnership Center, and a year-and-a-half later, they cashed in their savings for a 32-thousand dollar down payment on a condominium.

The Governor, the Legislature and the Counties all have plans to build more affordable housing. But as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, their developer-based financial model appears to be flawed.

There will be an estimated demand for 65,000 housing units by 2025 in Hawai’i.   That, according to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka takes a look at affordable housing through the eyes of a young couple who are taking charge of their lives.

This year’s legislative session ended last Thursday without providing future funding for Honolulu’s rail transit project.  But there were other issues important to community groups.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.    

(Chant:  “We voted you in, we can vote you out!”) 

State lawmakers adjourned today ending a contentious session with no solution on how to fund Honolulu’s rail transit project.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.    

Senate President Ron Kouchi told the 25-member body that their   proposed bill to extend the half-a-percentage General Excise Tax surcharge to fund Honolulu’s Rail Transit Project was rejected by the House of Representatives.

There are 5 new Democrats in the State House of Representatives serving their first term. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka caught up with them and filed this report.    

The State Senate and House today each advanced separate measures to fund Honolulu’s Rail Transit System.   As HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, lawmakers must agree on one measure before adjournment Thursday or leave the project with no funding source.

Hundreds of O’ahu high school students are spending the day being exposed to career opportunities in the state’s top industries:  hospitality and tourism.  The program is sponsored by the Hawai’i Tourism Authority in partnership with Climb High-Hawai’i.  Julie Morikawa is president and CEO of Climb-High.        

Two members of Hawai’i’s Congressional Delegation returned home for the April Recess to meet with constituents.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. 

A statewide coalition has joined forces to help public school students prepare for high paying jobs in Hawai’i.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The annual Science and Engineering Fair featuring students from schools statewide concluded today at the Convention Center.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. 

State lawmakers advanced a measure today to provide more money for Honolulu’s Rail Transit Project.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

Honolulu City Council members were briefed last week on plans to ease parking and delivery congestion in Waikiki.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The House Finance Committee conducted a six-hour hearing Wednesday night on the General Excise Tax surcharge for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project.  The meeting was not televised for the public.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

A new Aloha Stadium plan was unveiled today for the first time.  Planners say it’s conceptual only to begin the public discussion.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The immigration policies of the Trump Administration played out today in Honolulu.  As HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, it involves the deportation and removal of a Mexican immigrant.

The Hawai’i Tourism Authority hosted its Spring Marketing Update today.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

Lawmakers continue to work on the State Budget.  Today, members of the Senate’s money committee unanimously approved its version.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.    

The state is proposing to change affordable and work force housing rules for Kaka’ako.    But, as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, some developers and residents are not happy with any of the plans. 

The bill to allow medical aid in dying was stopped in a House Committee today.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

State Representative Beth Fukumoto announced today she is resigning from the Republican Party following two months of input from her Mililani constituents.   She says her troubles with the Hawai’i GOP started a while ago but came to a head when Donald Trump won the Presidency.

State funding for the Honolulu Rail Transit project cleared a critical hurdle in the House today.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.   

The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is facing an April 30th deadline to come up with a funding source to complete the downtown segment of the 20-mile system.   As HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, the political stakes seem high but the decision appears to be relatively simple.

“If rail is not completed it will constitute a real embarrassment to an entire generation of Hawai’i politicians and leaders.”