Proposals have made it halfway through the legislative session, and some advocates are cautiously optimistic that legislation that failed in past years will make it this year.

A stack of bills under consideration by lawmakers would increase taxes or impose new levies on cars, liquor, real estate, capital gains and more.

The budget now passes to the Senate which will continue fine-tuning the state’s spending priorities for the coming fiscal year.

Bills primarily serving Hawaiʻi, Maui and Kauaʻi counties often struggle to gain traction, but a major housing bill has promise.

DOE wants more support in keeping unwanted visitors off its campuses, but families say school playgrounds are an important part of the community.

If Republicans are serious about balancing the budget, they need to start offering real solutions.

Not everyone living on agricultural land is a farmer. But state agencies have struggled to distinguish the genuine food producers from the hobby farmers looking for a tax break.

But a few significant issues failed to generate much interest this year as legislators scurried to meet the crossover deadline.

Locals prefer local flowers, but imported flowers help stretch limited local supplies.

The Senate wants to add a seventh position to the ICA. Court officials say it’s not needed.