Hawaii Reporter

Getting into Tax Court

2026-09-19T06:20:38Z

Here in Hawaii, it’s a big deal for the state to have a stable source of revenue. Tax lawsuits have the potential to tie that revenue up, so here, as well as in many other states, there are quirky rules that could turn out to be real traps that could cost you your money even […]

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Will Germany Move to the Right?

2026-09-16T23:52:34Z

by Manfred Henningsen The success of the right-wing party Alternative fuer Deutschland (AfD) in the recent state election in one of the former states of Communist East Germany, Saxony-Anhalt, has created nervous questions about the political future of Germany and the European Union (EU). There will be elections in two weeks in two other East […]

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A Review of A Jungian Life, by Tom Kirsch

2026-09-15T19:39:16Z

If anyone can legitimately have claimed to have lived A Jungian Life it would be Thomas B. (aka Tom) Kirsch. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Jungian DNA oozed from his pores. Full disclosure, I knew Tom very well. We were cousins and visited each other regularly. The son of renowned Jungian analysts James and […]

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A Fair Tax

2026-09-09T21:28:37Z

Every so often, I’m asked what kind of things we should be looking for, as a society, when the legislature is in session and is considering different ways to beat money out of us. So, here is what I think. Taxation is, primarily, a means of spreading the cost of a civilized society, namely the […]

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Bras and the Breast Cancer Cover-Up

2026-09-12T19:02:19Z

Sydney Ross Singer Medical Anthropologist Director, Institute for the Study of Culturogenic Disease sydsinger@gmail.com (Note: This article was first published in October 24, 2007, and was updated September 12, 2026.) 9/12/2026 “Whom can you trust when your culture is the biggest enemy of your health? Can you trust your culture’s leading authorities? Can you trust […]

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Artificial Intelligence and the Return of the Dark Ages

2026-09-11T15:18:11Z

9/11/2026 As we all run like lemmings over the virtual cliff of artificial intelligence, I want to point out a basic flaw in the AI world that nobody is mentioning: artificial intelligence is built on the mental musings, mistakes, and misinformation that plagues human intelligence. Imagine if somehow there was a way for AI to […]

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Save Ala Moana!

2026-09-03T09:04:12Z

This week’s article comes from a tip from one of our very alert constituents. It concerns one of the special funds set up in the City Charter of Honolulu that is fed automatically by an earmark on property tax revenues. We spoke about them a few weeks ago. Today’s topic of discussion is the Clean […]

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2026 Give Aloha Campaign During the Month of September

2026-09-01T22:18:39Z

It’s time to Give Aloha at Foodland: September 1-30 2026! In addition to encouraging customers to donate up to $249 to their favorite participating nonprofits – like the Tax Foundation of Hawaii – at checkout, customers are also encouraged to contribute to the Give Aloha matching gift in the following ways: Funds raised through the […]

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Building Friendships Across Borders: Friends of the East-West Center’s ‘Ohana Program Celebrates 60 Years

2026-09-01T22:30:31Z

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Friends of the East-West Center’s ‘Ohana Program, a distinctly Hawaiʻi approach to international friendship. Launched in 1966 as a “host family” program, its first year matched 151 East-West Center grantees with 111 local families who offered students a home away from home during their stay in Hawaiʻi. […]

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Education Freedom Tax Credits

2026-08-27T22:35:33Z

One of the new features in the tax landscape wrought by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a program called Education Freedom Tax Credits. The program supports scholarships for American students, but in a very indirect way. It supports scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs), 501(c)(3) nonprofits that give out scholarship money to deserving primary and secondary […]

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Q&A with Nat Blettor on Growing Your Own Food on Oahu

2026-08-24T20:32:03Z

Editor’s Note: Nat Blettor is Honolulu’s premier garden guru, transforming the urban and tropical landscapes of Oahu with sustainable, vibrant horticultural expertise. Based in the heart of Honolulu, Nat blends deep botanical knowledge with a passionate commitment to Hawaii’s unique ecosystems. Specializing in native Hawaiian flora, backyard food forests, and climate-resilient landscaping, Nat helps island […]

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When do Judges Have Free Speech?

2026-08-24T20:06:09Z

Recently, a letter from the America First Policy Institute garnered some local attention by suggesting that three justices of the Hawaii Supreme Court should be disciplined for bad-mouthing the U.S. Supreme Court. The letter concerns Granillo v. State, a 91-page opinion issued July 15, authored by Justice Todd W. Eddins and joined by Chief Justice […]

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Q&A with Hawaii Seed Bank Founder Jill Wagner

2026-08-24T08:16:09Z

Hawaiʻi is often called the endangered species capital of the world, and protecting what remains of its native flora increasingly means thinking about what happens after a wildfire, drought, disease or other disaster. One answer is surprisingly simple: save the seeds. That’s the mission of the Hawaiʻi Island Seed Bank, founded in 2008 by forester […]

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Clean Energy Schizophrenia

2026-08-14T22:36:40Z

This week, I wanted to give some additional context in depth to a commentary by new Civil Beat columnist Olin Lagon entitled “A Subsidy Is a Statement About Who Matters.” Our state does a lot of giving and taking when it comes to energy use. We currently give tax credits for clean energy use and […]

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The San Francisco Police Department Posts Videos on Catching Crooks–HPD should do the same

2026-08-13T23:22:14Z

Police departments don’t always do a particularly good job of showing the public what police officers actually do. The San Francisco Police Department has found one very effective way to change that: show people. SFPD regularly posts short videos that take viewers behind the scenes of actual police operations—from identifying and tracking suspects with surveillance […]

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Honolulu Special Funds

2026-08-10T07:00:11Z

This week we will be discussing some of the proposals on the ballot in Honolulu that have been put forward by the Honolulu Charter Commission. (If you are in another county, don’t click the Close button just yet, because this issue may be coming to your island soon.). This year, the Charter Commission has […]

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Taxation of Envy

2026-08-03T20:08:21Z

This week, I wanted to share some inspiration I found in Aloha State Daily columnist Sterling Higa’s “Hawai‘I Millionaire Tax: Why the New 13% Bracket Won’t Be the Last.” Countless people and organizations have implored lawmakers to make “the wealthy” pay their “fair share.” Of course, neither “the wealthy” nor “fair share” are defined. Only […]

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The One Dollar Solution

2026-07-27T08:23:30Z

The Governor’s final veto decisions are in. Out of 267 bills that the 2026 Legislature sent to him, he vetoed one of them and reduced an appropriation line item in another. This week we will be discussing the line-itemed bill, SB 2600. Back in 1978 when we last had a constitutional convention, delegates thought that […]

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Why Care About the Dam Special Fund

2026-07-20T19:52:13Z

About a year ago, we wrote about a special fund that we called the Dam Special Fund, and that we were suing the State over it. Our state constitution has a number of provisions in it that are designed to control how our government spends our money. (Not “their” money, hmph.) Most of these provisions […]

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Where did you go in your LOWA Renegades?

2026-07-20T07:34:06Z

I haven’t made it lately to Mauna Loa, as depicted in the photo above, but there’s no question the hiking boots I’m reviewing could handle the trek. Instead, I’ve remained on Oahu, hiking the Mauʻumae Ridge Trail (also known as the Lanipō Trail) atop Wilhelmina Rise. Before scrutinizing LOWA’s newest footwear, it’s worth revisiting the […]

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Empty Homes Tax Won’t Go Away

2026-07-13T18:29:08Z

The idea behind an empty homes tax is to impose an outrageously high cost on residential property that is unoccupied, to force owners to either live in the property or rent it out. The theory is that this would alleviate the housing shortage here in Honolulu. We have written about such a tax on several […]

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Two Brothers, One Legendary Beach: Meet Waikīkī’s Rising WSL Stars Johnny “The Ripper” and Michael “Monkey” Van Hohenstein

2026-07-07T10:34:30Z

If you’ve scrolled past a surf clip lately captioned “Monkey” or “Johnny the Ripper” and wondered whether you were looking at the same surfer twice, you’re not alone. Michael Van Hohenstein 23, and John Michael Van Hohenstein 22, are brothers that are often mistaken as twins or even the same person. And both are quietly […]

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SNAP Disaster Imminent

2026-07-06T06:52:24Z

About a year ago, we wrote about one part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that could really hurt our State economically. It’s about the federal SNAP program to help needy families with food costs. It used to be fully funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. So, Hawaii citizens benefited from this federal […]

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How Krave Marketing and 808 Viral’s Community Events Have Become Some of Oʻahu’s Favorite Gatherings

2026-07-14T20:03:54Z

From Kailua Fall Fest to the Kāneʻohe Night Markets, Ben Marumoto and Daniela Stolfi continue to bring together local businesses, live entertainment and thousands of residents through events built around community. What started as a vision to create memorable community experiences has grown into one of Oʻahu’s most recognizable event brands. Founded and led by […]

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Blue Note Hawaii Announces July 2026 Lineup Featuring UMI, Hunter Hayes, Nate Jackson, Dave Koz, Jason Momoa & More

2026-07-03T03:28:44Z

From comedy and jazz to Hawaiian music, hip-hop and family-friendly events, Blue Note Hawaii’s July lineup brings a diverse month of live entertainment to Waikīk Blue Note Hawaii has announced its July 2026 entertainment lineup, featuring a mix of internationally acclaimed musicians, comedians, tribute performances, and local favorites throughout the month. Located inside the OUTRIGGER […]

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Q&A (Part 2) with Jake Takaya Morrow–Candidate for House District 21

2026-07-02T23:07:02Z

Editor’s Note: Hawaii Reporter recently sat down with Jake Takaya Morrow, a candidate for the State House representing District 21 (Pālolo Valley, St. Louis Heights, Kaimukī, Maunalani Heights, and Wilhelmina Rise). Morrow brings an unconventional background to the race, having worked as an organic farmer, legislative policy advisor, university instructor, and legal professional. His campaign focuses […]

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Q&A (Part 1) with Jake Takaya Morrow–Candidate for House District 21

2026-06-27T00:02:41Z

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The Art of the Tax Deal

2026-06-22T07:42:17Z

One of the basic freedoms we have in this country, enshrined in our Constitution, is the freedom to contract. Two or more parties with differing interests can agree to just about anything, as long as it isn’t illegal, and our country’s court system will enforce that agreement. The rules work a little differently when the […]

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Medicaid Fraud Control

2026-06-15T04:37:44Z

Medicaid is a joint federal and state government health insurance program that helps provide medical coverage for people with low incomes and limited resources. Medicaid is basically a federal program that states can opt into by setting up a program that complies with federal rules. In return, the federal government provides significant funding for the […]

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Navigating the NILe

2026-06-05T20:07:18Z

Back in 2020, an Arizona State swimmer named Grant House sued the NCAA in a landmark class action case alleging that the NCAA’s rules forbidding compensation for college athletes were illegal under antitrust laws. The settlement of that lawsuit in 2025 cleared the way for college athletes to be compensated for their name, image, and […]

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Our Big Tax Bill Act

2026-06-01T19:48:01Z

Our legislative session has ended but the journey of legislative bills has not. Bills that have passed the Legislature now trek to the Capitol’s fifth floor, where Gov. Green and his staff considers them. The Governor has until June 30 to send the Legislature a list of those bills he might veto; anything not on […]

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Between Silk and Shadow

2026-05-31T08:37:58Z

Few Americans shed one life and slipped into another as completely—or as mysteriously—as James Harrison Wilson Thompson. Architect by training, spy by wartime necessity, silk impresario by instinct, and ultimately a man who stepped off a garden terrace into the Cameron Highlands and never came back, Thompson remains as much a legend for how he […]

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Changes to the Solar Credit

2026-05-25T06:48:43Z

The legislative bill that we have received the most questions about is Senate Bill 3125, the bill that modifies individual tax rates. But the part that has drawn the most questions hasn’t been the tax rates, whether they be pauses, stops, hikes, or whatever else. Rather, everyone is asking about what is going to happen […]

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A Memorial Day Tribute to Henri (aka Hank) Carbonell

2026-05-22T01:05:39Z

Editor’s Note: Immigrants, as we are reminded of late, have not always been perceived favorably. The debate over immigration is as old as the country itself. What is less often acknowledged is how many of the men and women at the center of that debate have answered America’s call to arms — and what that […]

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Follow the Yellow Brick Road, Part 2

2026-05-18T07:55:19Z

This week, we continue our coverage of significant Hawaii tax bills that have cleared our Hawaii legislative session and are on their way to Gov. Green’s desk. House Bill 2329, which conforms our state tax law to provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, is our first topic this week. Our legislature normally adopts […]

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Iran Trumps US on Breast Cancer Front

2026-05-18T13:02:53Z

May 18, 2026 In the war on breast cancer, the US has poured billions of dollars into biomedical research with very little impact on the number of women developing breast cancer. Lifestyle is known to play a large part in the cause of breast cancer. But one lifestyle factor is ignored, which is the harmful […]

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Follow the Yellow Brick Road

2026-05-11T20:01:36Z

In our Hawaii legislative session, conference committee work is now done and bills are being readied for final floor votes and trips to the Governor’s office. Some bills look pretty much the same as they did when they began the conference negotiations. Others look radically different. Here are some of the more significant ones. Senate […]

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Register Now: Final Briefing for the 2026 Legislative Session

2026-05-18T07:55:32Z

The Tax Foundation’s final briefing for the 2026 Legislative Session will have both an in-person option and Zoom option. Tuesday, May 12, 20267:30am to 8:30amThe Pacific Club1451 Queen Emma StreetHonolulu, Hawaii 96813 Continental Breakfast will be served. Cost for TFH Members: $40Cost for non-TFH Members: $55 Zoom only option: $25 Click HERE to register and […]

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Deciphering the Budget

2026-05-04T08:05:23Z

One of the most important and consequential bills considered in any legislative session, including this one, is the budget bill. This year’s budget bill is House Bill 1800. Reading the bill, however, is not for the faint of heart. There is a kind of code used in the budget bills, making it (we suppose) efficient […]

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What’s Dead – For Now

2026-04-27T06:38:21Z

We are at the point in our legislative session where House-Senate conference committees are hashing out the final versions of bills that, if passed by both chambers, would be sent up to the Governor’s office for possible signing into law. The conference committee process is opaque. Public testimony is not allowed, and the conferees meet […]

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