Hawaii Opinion Columnists | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Kokua Line: Why must people wait in sun, rain for airport pickup?

Christine Donnelly — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Why is there no canopy over the Uber and Lyft ride pickup median at the Honolulu airport? Visitors and residents are left to stand in the sun or rain while waiting for their app rides. TheBus riders, too, I believe.

Stephen Tsai: Brown rejects big money to complete mission at UH

Stephen Tsai — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

As a former tackle-obsessed middle linebacker, Hawaii football coach Chris Brown has done some crazy and nutso things.

Jerry Campany: Baseball game still greatest Army-Navy contest held in Hawaii

None — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The week of the annual Army-Navy football game does different things to different people.

Column: Gov. Green’s popularity provides shield for new fees

None — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

As Gov. Josh Green prepares his 2026 campaign for reelection, he apparently is confident enough to edge into the next election with a call for new taxes.

Volcanic Ash: Hawaii firearms squabble challenges U.S. high court

None — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

There’s been hand-wringing from the political left about a constitutional crisis if Donald Trump ever refuses to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling he doesn’t like.

Kokua Line: Why does DMV take old license before mailing new one?

Christine Donnelly — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: When renewing a Hawaii driver’s license, why can’t we keep our old license while we’re waiting for the new plastic license in the mail, which takes weeks? The temporary paper license the DMV issues at renewal isn’t acceptable by the TSA and even an expired plastic license would be (as long as it expired less than a year ago). Besides, a lot of people renew their license well before it expires so there is life left on the old license.

Rearview Mirror: Kimchi and Spam musubi among year’s tasty topics

None — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

This year in Rearview Mirror, we learned about a pilot who flew his plane under a Kauai bridge, we looked into the writing of the song “Mr. Sun Cho Lee,” by Bob Magoon and the Beamer brothers, and we learned about a buoy off Waikiki that was painted pink in protest.

Kokua Line: Is UH warning foreign students about returning to U.S.?

Christine Donnelly — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: My son goes to USC, and he said foreign students who plan to go home for winter break are being told to be back on campus before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Is UH telling its foreign students anything like this?

Kokua Line: Why isn’t cellphone OK for online test to drive?

Christine Donnelly — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: To get a driver learner’s permit, you can take the written test online. But you can’t do it on a cell phone. Why? We do everything on our phones. The IRS even lets you file your taxes on your phone.

Kokua Line: Why can homeless people dominate park’s pavilion?

Christine Donnelly — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Is the pavilion at Old Stadium Park made available on a first-come, first-served basis? Is that why homeless people and their unleashed, constantly barking dogs are able to stay there throughout the day and night, day to day? They use fireworks at night continuing through the holidays. HPD is there probably checking for drugs. When is the pavilion available for others?

Tech View: Buying a new computer? Here’s what to consider

None — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The holiday season is prime time for the purchase of new computers. Gifts, prepping students for the next semester, or setting up businesses to hit the ground running in the new year — are all high on the list for many folks. Black Friday has passed, but deals still abound in brick-and-mortar stores. And Cyber Monday has turned into Cyber Week and even Cyber Season. What should folks look for?

Kokua Line: What’s the process to report food poisoning?

Christine Donnelly — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: What is the correct procedure to inform a restaurant about an apparent case of food poisoning? Should I call? Show up in person? I’d like to know whether anyone else had a problem. How do I report it?

Stephen Tsai: Be wary before you think about transferring

Stephen Tsai — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Times are hard on the boulevard, which means this year’s gifts will be unsolicited advice.

Sjarif Goldstein: Honolulu Marathon brings back memories of friend who lost battle to cancer

None — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The Honolulu Marathon means different things to different people. For some it’s the culmination of months of training, for others it’s a boost in income from the influx of tourists. To some it’s a traffic obstacle to plan around, and to others it’s an excuse to visit Hawaii once a year.

Column: $80M for 2 paths for walkers, bikers? Bridge too far

None — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Bicycles are considered a cheap and easy way to get around. Even along sometimes hot and hilly Honolulu routes, bikes have their place.

Column: Navy must right Red Hill fuel-spill wrongs

None — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

How long does it take to learn a lesson? How is community trust rebuilt? And how much are the purity of our water and the health of Hawaii’s people worth?

Column: Public needs legislative transparency

None — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

I began going to the state Legislature in 1984 on behalf of the ACLU to support and oppose bills relating to civil rights. In those days everything was hard copy. To follow what was happening in the Legislature, one needed to go to the Legislature and go through stacks of paper every day to identify and track bills of interest. This was prohibitive to the average citizen.

David Shapiro: High times at the Capitol as legal pot rises anew

None — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Hawaii legislators have been slow to legalize recreational cannabis, which frustrates advocates but gives us the advantage of learning from states that have gone before.

Kokua Line: How can I cash ruined savings bond?

Christine Donnelly — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: I recently found my U.S. savings bonds in a safe but unfortunately the bonds were covered in mildew and parts of them were eaten away. The serial numbers are still visible and intact. Is there anywhere where I can take them to be cashed out?

Rearview Mirror: 2024 columns spotlighted Obama Sr., Dick Tracy tale

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Every December, I review the previous 11 months and write a two-part series of things I learned during the year. Writing this column is a process of discovery for me that I thoroughly enjoy. Here are some highlights.

Kokua Line: How do I get refund from Harris Jewelry?

Christine Donnelly — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Did Harris Jewelry ever have stores in Hawaii?

Facts of the Matter: Snowball Earth hypothesis: A planet frozen in time

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Imagine the entire Earth locked in a deep freeze, covered in ice from the poles to the equator. This is the essence of the Snowball Earth hypothesis, a theory that suggests our planet may have been entirely or nearly entirely frozen over multiple times in its ancient past. It’s an idea that sounds like science fiction, but there is strong evidence to back it up.

Kokua Line: Will Re-use Hawai‘i and HNL Tool Library reopen?

Christine Donnelly — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Will the HNL Tool Library ever reopen? It closed when Re-use Hawai‘i closed in August.

Tech View: 12 Days of Technology offers practical advice

None — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Technology improves our lives in many ways, so it can be tempting to go overboard during the holidays. To ensure your holiday season is merry, here are 12 days of tech tips to keep you and your ohana safe and happy.

Kokua Line: Where are the Christmas parades?

Christine Donnelly — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: What is the schedule for Honolulu City Lights? We have guests coming in who might enjoy it. Also, where can we find information about other Christmas parades?

Kokua Line: Is Postal Service Christmas mailer correct?

Christine Donnelly — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Are the Christmas ship-by dates in the Postal Service mailer correct? I thought Hawaii was earlier.

Dave Reardon: Time to think about future of UH sports after busy week

Dave Reardon — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Saturday was senior night for the University of Hawaii football team, nearing the end of the busiest sports week of the year at UH, if not in the state.

Column: Gov. Green fortunate on good economy, but dark clouds loom

Richard Borreca — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A recent local opinion piece carries the message: “State needs to rein in wild spending.”

David Shapiro: Demonizing trans people not path to U.S. greatness

None — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

You don’t see many displays of class in Washington anymore, but freshman U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride showed how it’s done in response to a catty attack by fellow Rep. Nancy Mace, backed by House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Kokua Line: Does Social Security office require appointment?

Christine Donnelly — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: I heard you cannot walk into the Social Security office anymore. Is this true? I have a problem that I need help with as the instructions in the mail did not make sense to me. I planned to go to the office but my friend said to check first.

Rearview Mirror: Chicago-Hawaii connections are plentiful and run deep

None — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

I was looking for information on a Japanese submarine between Maui and the Big Island during World War II. I found an article about it written by journalism professor and writer Peter von Buol.

Kokua Line: When is town hall on higher sewer fees?

Christine Donnelly — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: At least before the Board of Water Supply raised water rates, they had a bunch of community meetings where people could vent their concerns. This plan for the big sewer fee increase from the city came out of nowhere as far as I am concerned.

Kokua Line readers give thanks for helpful community

Christine Donnelly — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

On Thanksgiving Day, we devote Kokua Line to readers’ expressions of gratitude, keeping up a tradition that we hope connects readers to Hawaii, to one another and to this column. Throughout the year, readers remind us that even the smallest kindness resonates — this holiday collection is another way to say “thank you” to all those who strive to “live aloha,” whether or not their goodness ever is acknowledged in print.

Tech View: ‘Geeky’ holiday gift guide has something for everyone

None — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

During the holiday season I like to highlight some of the items I’ve reviewed over the past year that I think readers might consider as gifts for family, friends or even themselves. (All prices listed are from Amazon).

Kokua Line: Why couldn’t Canadian friends go to Bellows?

Christine Donnelly — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: I am retired military and tried to get onto Bellows with two Canadian friends, and they were denied entry. What’s happening? Is that the same for all island military bases?

Dave Reardon: UH AD situation adds to long list of clown shows

Dave Reardon — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The family newspaper versions of what the acronyms FUBAR and SNAFU stand for are Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition/Repair, and Situation Normal, All Fouled Up.

Kokua Line: Does TSA still enforce rule against liquids?

Christine Donnelly — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: I am the opposite of a frequent flyer — I haven’t gone anywhere in years. Does the TSA still have the liquids rule? I have new prescriptions I want to carry with me and can’t risk putting in a checked bag. I am flying to California to see family for Thanksgiving and beyond. I’d rather not have to try to refill prescriptions there.

Stephen Tsai: New UH AD faces immediate challenges

Stephen Tsai — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

As Craig Angelos’ 18-month tenure as University of Hawaii athletic director ends this Sunday, there still are several unchecked boxes on the to-do list. Here is what acting athletic director Lois Manin or the next permanent athletic director will face in the coming months:

Billy Hull: A BWC title is there if the ‘right’ Wahine team shows up

Billy Hull — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Four.

Richard Borreca: Not donkey or elephant, Gabbard just political animal

None — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Tulsi Gabbard is headed to become the nation’s spy master.