Opinion
Talking story about values.
The staff reporters at Aloha State Daily have a clear mission on the news side of the house: to tell you what happened, not what to think or how to feel about what happened. Here in the opinion section, we want to talk story about values — what we think Hawai‘i should do, or should not do, and why. This is where we welcome informed debate and where people can argue for their perspective.
Community Voices: The people who will save Hawai‘i
Katie Chang, executive director of Center for Tomorrow's Leaders, talks about why she's bullish on Hawai‘i's future. She sees a thousand reasons each year — the number of student leaders in CTL's programs who are going to fight for their Hawai‘i.
Katie ChangMay 25, 2026
Community Voices: From resistance to regeneration at Waipā
Waipā’s efforts have expanded beyond growing food. They are also raising future farmers and community advocates. The valley serves as an outdoor classroom, providing educational programs for schools, families and community members.
Philamer FelicitasMay 25, 2026
Community Voices: Changes to the solar credit
SB3125 proposes a few significant changes to the credit, making the solar industry unhappy. If the bill is enacted, here's what timelines taxpayers should know.
Tom YamachikaMay 25, 2026
Hamada: How corrupt is Hawai‘i?
Most public servants get through the day doing absolutely nothing wrong. But as ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada observes, there have been more than enough high-profile cases of corruption to justify the perception that Hawai‘i can be pretty rotten.
Rick HamadaMay 23, 2026
Kumu Earl Kawaʻa, haumana recognized for Board and Stone
Born and raised on Molokaʻi, Kawaʻa has offered Board and Stone to ʻohana across the Islands since 2010. The cultural classes teach families how to carve a wooden board (papa kuʻi ʻai) and shape a stone poi pounder (pōhaku) using only hand tools, while perpetuating Hawaiian traditions, language, moʻolelo and more. Last month, the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives honored him and his team for their dedication to community.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 22, 2026
The stories underneath
ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa explores how an extensive story on homelessness by Civil Beat raises issues where both the political left and political right can do better on their approaches to solving the problem.
Sterling HigaMay 22, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: David Lazar, Kate Steinle and Honolulu’s future
One of the top three candidates for Honolulu Police Chief, David Lazar of San Francisco, has stated his intention to never let HPD cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. These are the kinds of policies widely believed to have been the reason why Kathryn "Kate" Steinle was killed in 2015 by a five-time deportee, out on the streets of San Francisco because local authorities refused to work with federal agencies on immigration cases.
A. Kam NapierMay 20, 2026
Intermediate Ghosts
If you thought just being in the 7th or 8th grade was scary, imagine if some tragic set of circumstances had you trapped there in the afterlife! Stories abound about the things seen at Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School in Honolulu, long known as an "Intermediate School" in the DOE naming system. Ancient warriors. Headless bodies. A cop on his beat. A mysterious woman in high heels. All these and more.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiMay 20, 2026
Community Voices: Why is Haleakalā a sacred place?
On Haleakalā, the land from where the forest begins up to the summit is considered a wao akua (realm of gods). The summit itself is called the piko, or highest point, which draws down nourishment that feeds the entire, living, breathing mountain system.
Hina KneubuhlMay 19, 2026
Ben Sasse is dying in public
The former U.S. senator from Nebraska is talking about big ideas everywhere he can as pancreatic cancer takes his life. Hawai‘i's politicians could learn from what he has to say about government doing fewer things well, says ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa.
Sterling HigaMay 19, 2026
Community Voices: Keep following the yellow brick road
A look at more Hawaiʻi tax bills on their way to Gov. Green’s desk.
Tom YamachikaMay 18, 2026
Community Voices: More housing reforms for Hawaiʻi
If the governor approves these particular measures, 2026 will go down as yet another year in which the Legislature made significant progress toward resolving Hawaiʻi’s housing crisis.
Keliʻi AkinaMay 18, 2026