January 22, 2026 News Read > Hawaii Free Press

Hawaii Daily News Read

Thursday, January 22, 2026

January 22, 2026 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 3:09 PM :: 293 Views

Politics in Hawaii: What Makes Politics Unique in the Aloha State?

DAGS Next ‘Fails’ – Aloha Stadium and OCCC

SA: … state government is its own worst enemy in showing taxpayers that Hawaii can’t handle, let alone deserves, wondrous new state-of-the-art public spaces. The latest example? The long-awaited redo of the leaking reflecting pools at the state Capitol — being re-imagined as a creative, waterless project encasing art in glass floor tiles, which was to have been done by year’s end. But now, it’s expected to drag on for another year at least, with final-phase costs rising by $7 million, to $47 million….

Unfortunately, DAGS has been in the news too much lately, involving a number of very problematic public facilities. Deferred maintenance on long-known asbestos and disrepair issues at the state Department of Health’s headquarters is forcing its 549 workers to abandon the Punchbowl facility this year: the first wave will involve moving the public-facing vital-records division this summer to leased offices downtown. The cost of DOH’s rented digs in two towers is at least $3 million yearly under a 15-year lease; meanwhile, planning has barely begun on what to do with the old, deteriorating DOH complex built in 1961….

At the state Capitol, …. In addition to years of damage exacerbated by water leaks, chronic issues with fire alarms going off — blaring sirens and shutting down elevators — flared repeatedly last week….

>> More sticker shock surrounds the Hawai‘i Convention Center’s necessary repairs. After years of damaging leaks from the troubled rooftop terrace deck, legislators had finally allocated the $64 million estimated for repairs — but that’s now surged to a ridiculous $110 million: $87.5 million for rooftop construction plus $9.1 million for project management and design, and $13.1 million for contingency.

>> Soon after the 2021 unveiling of the Hawaii State Hospital’s new $160 million, 144-bed psychiatric facility in Kaneohe, its opening was delayed for a year partly due to construction defects involving shower-floor drainage and leaks, and door handles and hinges. Repairs were estimated last year at nearly $40 million, even as legal action against the project contractor was being discussed.

As for DAGS, its track record grows more salient as hugely ambitious, very expensive projects loom: the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District and perhaps a new $1 billion Oahu Community Correctional Center….

REALITY: DAGS has not 'failed.' It continually achieves its true goal--to create make-work opportunities for contractors. Standard kickback is 20%.

read … Editorial: DAGS must deliver on time, on budget | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Start New Session Under 'Dark Cloud'

CB: … The Hawaiʻi Legislature opened its 2026 session under what one lawmaker called a “dark cloud” hanging over the State Capitol — the mystery of which legislator may have received $35,000 in a paper bag as a possible bribe in 2022.

House Speaker Nadine Nakamura told reporters Wednesday after opening day formalities wrapped up that her chamber would now decide in the next few days whether to undertake a special legislative investigation into possible corruption. She had rejected the idea before.

Her announcement comes a day after Attorney General Anne Lopez reversed course and said her office would investigate the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Lopez also had strongly opposed any state involvement while a federal investigation was still unfolding.

Lawmakers must decide whether to approve or reject a petition filed by government accountability advocate and attorney Alexander Silvert, who is calling for a legislative probe.

“We’re going to have an internal discussion in the next few days, and we will be discussing that with members, and then, based on the feedback that we receive, determine our next steps,” she told reporters after opening day speeches….

“I think this is a dark cloud over the Legislature, and this is something that really has taken so long to resolve,” she said. “I think that is what’s very frustrating for many of us here, many of us who you know, this is our career. This is what we have sacrificed to be here.”

Senate President Ron Kouchi said the Senate would wait to see what the attorney general would be doing. That view was supported by others in his caucus, who argued that a legislative investigation was not the best idea….

Kouchi said that if the mystery lawmaker was revealed to be a sitting Senator, appropriate action could be taken by the chamber such as possible removal from office, “either by force or voluntarily, based on the facts that come out.” He added that such a disruption could cause a realignment in the Senate….

House Republicans will introduce legislation to “ensure that the tax relief promised just two years ago is not taken away,” she said. “People need help now.”

“We as a legislature need to take a critical look at our budgets and our government spending before asking people to give up more of their hard-earned paychecks,” Matsumoto said. “We made a promise, and we should keep it.” ….

HNN: Advocates push for change as bribery scandal looms over legislature

read … Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Start New Session Under 'Dark Cloud' - Honolulu Civil Beat

Opening Day Crowds Jostle as Your Tax Dollars Pour into Trough

SA: … Michelle Melendez, a 53-year-old vaccine skeptic was a speaker at “Keep Vaccines Optional” events across the islands.….

Elizabeth King, a 21-year-old student at Hawaii Pacific University, came to the Capitol as a member of the Hawaii Children’s Action Network.

The network wants the Legislature to focus on issues such as improving Hawaii’s four-week paid family leave, better tax benefits and universal school lunches.

“It’s the opening day, and so we’re here to advocate for children and young families,” King said….

Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole (D, Kaneohe-Kailua) who handed out slush floats while Rep. Daisy Hartsfield (D, Waipahu) served Spanish rolls.

Danson Honda, a 29-year-old real estate agent from Pearl City, arrived at the Capitol to advocate for education and affordable housing….

Daniel Anthony, a member of Hui Aloha Aina Momona, advocated for greater awareness of how the coconut rhinoceros beetles are damaging coconut trees across the state….

Corey Park, 79, staffed a Legal Clinic table in the Capitol rotunda to advocate for legal protection for immigrants.

The organization wants to bring attention to a package of legislative bills focusing on immigration enforcement including restricting activities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Hawaii….

On the third floor of the Capitol, students from the Hawaii Youth Food Council met representatives to advocate on behalf of island farmers.

Keanu Reyes, an 18-year-old senior at Kamehameha Schools, also works as a local taro farmer and was advocating for bills that benefit local farmers like him….

Maile Dunn, a 16-year old junior at Punahou School, came to the Capitol to advocate for a long list of concerns including innovation and biodiversity, soil health and emergency preparedness….

read … Hundreds gather at State Capitol on opening day of the Hawaii State Legislature | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Hawaii Girl Scouts launch policy program

KITV: … The Girl Scouts of Hawaii are empowering high school girls to dive into the world of government with their new program this legislative session….

read … Hands-on politics: Hawaii Girl Scouts launch policy program | News | kitv.com

Hawaii homeowners face double-digit rate hikes as wildfire risk reshapes market

IBM: … Homeowners' multiperil premiums in Hawaii increased 13.38% to $562.2 million in 2024 from $495.9 million a year earlier, according to the state insurance commissioner's 2025 report. Losses, claims and benefits paid dropped from $1.16 billion to $365.2 million over the same period.

State Farm, the state's largest homeowners' writer, was approved for a 28.5% effective rate hike on Nov. 15 for hail, wind and hurricane coverage in its independent Hawaii Homeowners Program through State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. The increase will impact 98,970 policyholders and add $45.5 million in written premium, with a maximum increase of 48.4%.

RLI, the fifth-largest homeowners' writer in Hawaii, increased homeowners' premium 33% in the state during the third quarter, including a 16% rate increase. RLI Insurance Co. was also approved for a 10.7% overall rate increase effective Oct. 1….

read … Hawaii homeowners face double-digit rate hikes as wildfire risk reshapes market | Insurance Business

DoTax Violates Hawaii Taxpayer Bill of Rights

CB: … Hawaiʻi has a Taxpayer Bill of Rights. It’s an official document from the state Department of Taxation, printed on government letterhead, with the state seal emblazoned over it. The director of taxation begins with these words: “Taxpayer rights are at the heart of good tax administration.”

The document promises you something specific. Under Section XI, labeled “Collections,” it guarantees you have “a right to have all other collection actions exhausted before a seizure of a taxpayer’s assets takes place.”

Read that carefully. It’s not ambiguous. It’s not a suggestion. It’s a promise. Seizure is the last resort, not the first.

Let me be direct: this is a lie….

read … Taxpayers Deserve A Bill Of Rights That Actually Helps Them - Honolulu Civil Beat

New report puts questions about nuclear power in Hawaiʻi on the back burner

HPR: … Last session, the state Legislature directed the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office to convene a working group to explore whether new forms of nuclear energy production, like small modular reactors and microreactors, could be a good fit for Hawaiʻi.

These new technologies take up a significantly smaller footprint than conventional nuclear facilities like Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania. Small modular reactors can be less than a third the size of a conventional reactor, and new microreactors are being developed to fit inside shipping containers.

A nuclear plant can also produce power 24 hours a day regardless of weather conditions, unlike wind or solar farms, and emits zero carbon emissions during operation.

Despite these advantages, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office ‘determined’ advanced nuclear technologies are not appropriate for Hawaiʻi at this time….

LINK: 2025-hseo-scr136.pdf

read … New report puts questions about nuclear power in Hawaiʻi on the back burner | Hawai'i Public Radio

Should Marijuana be Written in to State Constitution?

MM: … Key Hawaii lawmakers have filed legislation that would put the issue of marijuana legalization on the ballot for voters to decide.

The move comes after repeated efforts to legalize cannabis legislatively in recent sessions have demonstrated momentum but failed before reaching the finish line to be enacted into law.

If the legislature agrees to the new plan, voters would see this on their November ballots:

“Shall the Constitution of the State of Hawaii be amended to:

(1) Authorize individuals aged twenty-one and older to use and possess personal-use amounts of cannabis; and

(2) Require the legislature to enact laws governing the use, manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, regulation, and taxation of cannabis within the State?”

If a majority of voters approved the ballot measure, cannabis legalization would take effect on July 1, 2027….

read … Hawaii Lawmakers File Bills To Put Marijuana Legalization On The Ballot For Voters To Decide - Marijuana Moment

DOE raising monthly fee of popular after-school program

KHON: … Starting Aug. 1, the A+ Program fee will increase from $200 a month to $240 a month.

The Department of Education sent a notice to all A+ Program parents and guardians about the approval of a program fee increase that would be implemented to “offset rising operational costs and to support hiring and retention quality staff.” …

read … DOE raising monthly fee of popular after-school program

Renovation coming to Hawaii governor's official residence

KHON: … Tours of Washington Place usually happen weekly on Thursdays, but the first phase of the closure starts in February and lasts through December — so the public will have limited access during that time….

Hawaii governors have not lived in the main mansion since Ben Cayetano in 2002. Governors have lived in the new house that was constructed on the same property since Linda Lingle’s term….

read … Renovation coming to Hawaii governor's official residence

Trump’s Pet Antivaxxers Save Measles from Extinction

HTH: … During a news conference Tuesday hosted by Protect Our Care, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, Green lambasted U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for spreading misinformation about vaccines that prevent diseases such as measles.

“What’s happening today with measles is absolutely public health malpractice, and it’s completely preventable,” he said. “In this first year of the president’s second term, they’ve kind of taken the gloves off and allowed Secretary Kennedy to just run roughshod over policy.”

Green said the Trump administration has laid a foundation of distrust, and “now you’re seeing the terrible outcomes.”

The criticism comes as the number of confirmed measles cases in South Carolina ballooned to beyond 640 due to an outbreak there that began in October, affecting numerous schools.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported new measles cases in at least nine states this year. The U.S. on Tuesday marked 12 straight months of measles transmission, which puts the nation at jeopardy of losing its measles elimination status.

Green, along with Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, an infectious disease physician, and Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician living in South Carolina, all blamed RFK’s misinformation campaign for the current situation….

Daskalakis, also former director for CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said the measles resurgence was not random.

It’s the result of RFK questioning the safety and efficacy of vaccines, including those for measles, mumps and rubella that helped the U.S. bring measles deaths to nearly zero. Now the U.S. is in the midst of the largest outbreak since 1991, he said, with RFK’s spread of myths about vaccines fueling resistance in the most vulnerable communities.

“If we lose measles elimination status, it will be a clear indicator that our public health infrastructure needs urgent revitalization,” he said, “and that we must commit to science-driven policies rather than the ideological policies that we have seen in the last year.” ….

AP: The US Is On The Verge Of Losing Its Measles Elimination Status - Honolulu Civil Beat

read … Gov. Green blasts federal misinformation as measles cases surge in U.S. - Hawaii Tribune-Herald

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