Andrew Gomes | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

DHHL project goes to developer with ties to the agency’s leader

Andrew Gomes — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 10:06:00 +0000

The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has selected a developer with ties to the agency’s leader to build out a big part of a homestead community on Hawaii island.

Facebook founder’s donation aids affordable housing on Kauai

Andrew Gomes — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A donation from Priscilla Chan and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg will help make five homes on Kauai affordable to moderate- income households in perpetuity.

Close Hawaii House election goes to court after recount

Andrew Gomes — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A race for a seat in the state Legislature that turned out to be the biggest nail-biter in Hawaii’s Nov. 5 general election might not be settled yet.

Hawaii Black Friday promotions lined up for eager shoppers

Andrew Gomes — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The sky will still be dark when a bunch of stores open their doors on Black Friday in Hawaii for the traditional start of the holiday shopping season.

Former Maui Council member sues to void election result

Andrew Gomes — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

For the second straight general election in Hawaii, a candidate is alleging in court that Maui County’s top election official improperly prevented valid votes from being counted.

First FEMA modular homes ready for Maui fire survivors

Andrew Gomes — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

An initial increment of new rent-free temporary homes developed in Lahaina by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for survivors of the 2023 Maui wildfires has opened for use.

Maui County finds new site to bury wildfire debris

Andrew Gomes — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Maui County has tentatively secured land to enlarge the only major municipal solid waste landfill on the Valley Isle and bury debris from the August 2023 wildfire that destroyed most of Lahaina.

Uncertainty over demand lingers for rental tower for Native Hawaiians

Andrew Gomes — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

About two years from now, a new Honolulu high-rise will become the first rental apartment tower serving state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries, and a divisive question will be answered.

Kakaako pedestrian bridge nears completion after much delay

Andrew Gomes — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A potentially life- saving pedestrian bridge in Kakaako should be ready for use by the end of the year following multiple construction delays on the project once expected to be finished over a year ago.

Hawaii agency details plan to improve ‘failing’ foster care

Andrew Gomes — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

It could take two to four years for an agency running the state’s foster care system to fully address shortcomings found in an April audit that elevated concerns about the safety of children in foster homes.

Hawaiian Home Lands pursues Royal Kunia housing plan

Andrew Gomes — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 10:06:00 +0000

A long-undeveloped second phase of Oahu’s Royal Kunia subdivision could become Hawaiian homesteads under a plan that also includes possibly converting adjacent farmland for the same use.

Kupuna at Kahala luxury retirement complex express grievances

Andrew Gomes — Sun, 17 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The Kahala Nui retirement community is described as a place where residents and staff live and work as one ohana, but a deep-seated rift exists in the family dynamic.

Historic Chinatown building is turned into affordable housing

Andrew Gomes — Sat, 16 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A more than century-old building in Chinatown that used to be a bank after it was a boardinghouse, and might have ghosts in the basement, is about to become an addition to Honolulu’s affordable-housing inventory.

Kamehameha Schools trustee process is upheld

Andrew Gomes — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

An almost decade-old effort to make the selection process for Kamehameha Schools trustees more self-governing appears to have come up short in state court.

Hawaii government leaders mostly celebrate Tulsi Gabbard selection

Andrew Gomes — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 10:06:00 +0000

Hawaii government leaders and political observers expressed surprise, praise, pride and a bit of ridicule about longtime local public servant Tulsi Gabbard being picked by Republican President-elect Donald Trump to be the next director of national intelligence.

Hawaiian Electric claims gains in cutting fire risk

Andrew Gomes — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Hawaii’s largest electrical utility plans to spend $300 million over the next three years on top of $120 million this year to reduce wildfire risk.

Shareholders approve sale of Hawaii’s fifth-largest bank

Andrew Gomes — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Territorial Bancorp Inc. shareholders have approved a management- recommended takeover by a California bank over a rival bid by investors who lobbied heavily for a self- described better deal.

2 Kauai lawmakers to lead Hawaii Legislature

Andrew Gomes — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A state lawmaker from Kauai has become the new speaker of the state House of Representatives and the first woman to hold the position.

Gov. Josh Green gives state workers bonus paid time off

Andrew Gomes — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 05:36:00 +0000

For the third time in three years, Gov. Josh Green is giving state employees extra paid time off work during the holiday season.

Rep. Nadine Nakamura becomes Hawaii’s first female House speaker

Andrew Gomes — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:30:00 +0000

Kauai Rep. Nadine Nakamura has become speaker of the state House Representatives, and the first woman to hold the position.

Hawaii island voters pick Kimo Alameda for mayor

Andrew Gomes — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth appears to have fallen short in a bid for a second term, based on early voting results that show challenger Kimo Alameda with a major lead in what was forecast to be a close race.

Nonprofit farm receives land in Makaha Valley

Andrew Gomes — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A nonprofit organic farm in Waianae that provides job and higher-education opportunities for West Oahu residents intends to make affordable housing part of its operation.

Piles of historic Honolulu sidewalk and curb stones irk commission

Andrew Gomes — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The City and County of Honolulu isn’t being a good steward of historic stone sidewalks and street curbs, according to a commission established in 2023 to protect and preserve historic resources on Oahu.

Controversial do-over fills special seat on state water commission

Andrew Gomes — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A former State Historic Preservation Division branch chief is filling a seat on Hawaii’s water commission reserved for a traditional Native Hawaiian water management expert after a controversial selection process.

Design to replace state Capitol reflecting pools is taking shape

Andrew Gomes — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Finishing touches are being applied to the design for a waterless representation of the ocean to replace dysfunctional reflecting pools around the state Capitol, paint dot by paint dot applied by roughly 2,000 people across Hawaii.

Maui unemployment modest a year after disaster

Andrew Gomes — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Maui’s unemployment rate a year after the wildfire that destroyed Lahaina doesn’t look bad on paper, but the island is still suffering pretty severely with employment.

Palolo housing to receive $35M upgrade

Andrew Gomes — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A roughly 70-year-old public housing complex in Palolo Valley is slated for refurbishing two decades after being privatized and renovated under an arrangement touted as a state and national model.

Young Brothers seeks 2 kinds of rate increases for interisland ocean cargo

Andrew Gomes — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Hawaii companies and consumers could face multiple rate increases for interisland ocean cargo over the next few years as part of last week’s regulatory request by Young Brothers LLC.

Sea-level rise risk erodes Hawaiian homestead plan

Andrew Gomes — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 10:06:00 +0000

Plans for a Native Hawaiian homestead community in Ewa Beach have been scaled back due to issues including sea-level rise and flood risks that have inflated estimated development costs.

State to renew push to replace overcrowded Oahu jail

Andrew Gomes — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A more than 20-year state initiative to replace Oahu’s overcrowded and deplorable jail in Kalihi is being positioned for a big push forward next year.

Young Brothers seeks rate hikes

Andrew Gomes — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The cost to ship most cargo between islands in Hawaii could jump 20% on average, and in instances up to 45%, next summer under a plan by the state’s regulated interisland tug-and-barge operator.

Public input sought on Hawai‘i Gas rate hike plan

Andrew Gomes — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 10:06:00 +0000

Public hearings are underway for state regulators to consider a request by Hawaii’s only gas utility to raise rates by 17.7% on average statewide.

State agency helps reduce purchase prices of hard-to-sell units

Andrew Gomes — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Hawaii taxpayers are going to help the developer of a year-old Honolulu condominium and hotel tower complex make some of its required affordable housing more attractive to buyers.

Hawaii seawater to become jet fuel

Andrew Gomes — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Imagine an aircraft carrier being able to turn seawater into an endless supply of fuel for fighter jets.

Gov. Green meets with Las Vegas Raiders officials

Andrew Gomes — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Gov. Josh Green, a lifelong, ardent Pittsburgh Steelers fan, may be attending his team’s game today in Nevada against the Las Vegas Raiders in connection with a sports tourism work trip.

$1.6B state plan aims to boost housing around rail stations in Iwilei, Kapalama

Andrew Gomes — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A state plan is being advanced to foster development of nearly 28,000 new homes around planned city rail stations in Iwilei and Kapalama.

‘Marquee’ Hawaii general election contest is for Big Island mayor

Andrew Gomes — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Neighbor island voters have more decisions to make in the Nov. 5 general election for county government leadership than on Oahu, including county council representatives and the marquee contest in the state.

New Target store in Waikiki to hold grand opening Oct. 27

Andrew Gomes — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 05:15:00 +0000

A new Target store in Waikiki is scheduled to have an “official grand opening” Oct. 27 following a soft opening in the next week or so.

New survey tracks recovery of households affected by Maui fires

Andrew Gomes — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Twice as many households affected by the August 2023 Maui wildfires were living in poverty a year after the disaster, a new survey suggests.

Views clash over planned homes in Manoa

Andrew Gomes — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A developer’s plan to build homes in Manoa with greater density than allowed under existing zoning was the subject of a sometimes acrimonious and snippy public hearing Monday.