Young Brothers quickly announced a 3% rate hike soon after the bill was signed. State wharfage fees will rise at the same time, potentially driving up prices even more.

Former Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services Director Ryan Yamane is not the only top child welfare official departing the agency as lawmakers made some efforts this year to improve the system.

Members of the state Council on Revenues are surprised the state has not felt greater economic impacts from the war.

The Legislature this year passed a bill to cancel unpaid medical debt for lower-income Hawaiʻi residents.

The legislation would make Hawaiʻi one of the first states to sidestep the Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court case that allows unlimited corporate spending in local elections. 

Hawaiʻi allowed the shipping company to keep the money while awaiting a rate increase but now wants millions more in penalties and interest.

The Legislature needs to make decisions on all tax and spending bills by Friday in order to conduct final votes next week.

Lawmakers urgently needed to reach an agreement on the tax issue before they could move on to the state budget.

If the Legislature is going to end this year’s session on time, lawmakers must make some tough decisions this week. Insiders say there is no consensus yet.