The Pew Charitable Trusts - State and Consumer Initiatives from Hawaii

Lawmakers Chew on Weighty Issues: ‘Whose shad fry is the best?’

Photo Slideshow: Lawmakers call time out to weigh delicious legislation.

Backlash for Red-Light Cameras Hasn’t Slowed Spread

Throughout the country, state legislatures are considering how broadly to use traffic cameras, but the number of communities using them keeps growing.

Vote by Mail in Hawaii

A new poll conducted by Honolulu Civil Beat found that 47 percent of registered voters in Hawaii favor moving to an all vote-by-mail system like Oregon and Washington use, and 35 percent oppose such a shift.

Issue to Watch: Renewable Energy

Here is a look at states considering major action on renewable energy policy.

Hawaii State of the State Address 2013

Honolulu, Hawaii -- Jan 22 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Neil Abercrombie's (D) 2013 State of the State Address:

Seniors Are New Target for Tax Increases

Over the years, states have carved out ever more generous tax breaks for the elderly. Now, Kentucky and a few other states are beginning to question whether these policies cost too much.

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Hawaii

How well is Hawaii protecting kids from tooth decay?

After Election Day Confusion, Hawaii Gov Pushes Full Mail-In Voting

On the heels of an Election Day plagued by long lines and mass confusion, Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie says he’s pushing for major changes to voting on the islands —mainly, the elimination of the traditional Election Day altogether.

The Impact of the Fiscal Cliff: Hawaii

Federal and state finances are closely intertwined, and the fiscal cliff’s tax and spending provisions will have consequences for states.

Sunshine Overruns: Hawaii’s Solar Tax Credits Carry Soaring Price Tag

The widespread popularity of Hawaii’s solar energy incentive — and mass confusion over how to implement it — have dealt a blow to the state’s treasury and become a major topic in state politics.

Hawaii Judge: Online Travel Companies Don’t Owe Unpaid Taxes

Online travel companies that book hotel rooms in Hawaii have not shortchanged the state millions in tax remittances, a state judge ruled Monday, continuing a losing trend for governments challenging the companies’ tax practices.

Hawaii Teachers Halt Labor Negotiations, Escalating Conflict

Strong unions and a liberal governor might seem well-positioned to get along with each other, but it isn’t working out that way in Hawaii.

Dam Inspectors Fear the Deluge

Each year, more dams in the United States show signs of disrepair. Meanwhile, the money to fix them grows harder to find.

Public Safety in Hawaii

Learn more about public safety in Hawaii.

Best of #StateReads: Ex-Parks Official Had Criminal Past

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Military and Overseas Voting Legislation

Earlier this year, the Pew Center on the States released Democracy from Afar which showed the progress states have made in passing laws to better protect the voting rights of military and overseas voters.

Widening Gap Update: Hawaii

Although Hawaii paid its full annual pension contribution in all but one year from 2005 to 2010, the system was 61 percent funded in fiscal year 2010 and faced a $7 billion funding gap. Most experts agree that a fiscally sustainable system should be at least 80 percent funded.

Time Served in Hawaii

The average offender in Hawaii released in 2009 served 3.1 years in custody, 15% less than the average offender released in 1990.

Probation Violations Will Result in 'Swift and Certain' Penalties

Officials say a new Department of Corrections system should help offenders on probation be more successful and will save money. The system uses "swift and certain" sanctions for those who violate terms of their probation, meaning immediate but short trips to jail.

Hawaii First State Where Plastic Bags Banned

Hawaii has become the first state where plastic bans at the checkout aisle are banned statewide, following the passage of laws in each of its four counties.

As Washington Gridlock Persists, States Get Creative in Funding Renewable Energy

The federal government has drastically reduced its funding for renewable energy. States have come up with some unusual ways to try and replace it.

Graduate Students Campaign to Unionize

Can a graduate research assistant be a public employee? States and universities are struggling to sort that question out.

Spread of Soda Taxes Fizzles

TAX & BUDGET BEAT: Taxes on soft drinks looked like the next big thing two years ago, but they haven't caught on yet.

Hawaii State of the State Address 2012

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Jan. 23 - Following is the text of Gov. Neil Abercrombie's (D) 2012 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, former Governors, distinguished justices of the courts, mayors, representatives of our Congressional Delegation, members of the Hawai'i State Legislature, other

Election Websites: Hawaii

Being Online Is Still Not Enough provides state-by-state reviews and analysis based on detailed criteria of election websites for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Adam Gelb: Enhancing Public Safety

Adam Gelb discussed the expansion of Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation and Enforcement (HOPE) program and, more broadly, how new evidence about what works to break the cycle of crime and imprisonment is helping states cut corrections costs and enhance public safety.

Pentagon Cuts Have Military States Worried

The federal debt-reduction deal contains at least $350 billion - but perhaps as much as $950 billion - in defense spending cuts over 10 years. Some states see serious problems for their military-dependent economies.

Measuring Transportation Investments: Hawaii

A May 2011 report, Measuring Transportation Investments: The Road to Results, found considerable differences among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Children's Dental Health: Hawaii

Hawaii meets only one of the eight policy benchmarks aimed at improving children’s dental health, making it the worst overall performer among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Hawaii does not fully use proven preventive strategies: It lacks a school sealant program and has the lowest rate of fluoridation of any state.

Arizona's Brewer Vetoes School Bill

EDUCATION BEAT: An education bill is rejected by the governor in Arizona ... California universities seek to attract more out-of-state students ... Detroit schools send out thousands of pink slips, and more education news.

California Looks to Current Workers' Pensions for Savings

MANAGEMENT BEAT: Pension commission argues for tough choices in California … Republican governors back off opposition to collective bargaining … No more "SWAG" in California, and other government management news.

Earmark Ban Takes Shape on Capitol Hill

TODAY'S TAKE: The powerful chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has joined House Republicans and President Obama in calling for a stop to earmarks, a decision that is certain to have fiscal consequences for states.

Hawaii State of the State Address 2011

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Jan. 24 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Neil Abercrombie's (D) 2011 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, former governors, distinguished justices of the court, mayors, representatives of our Congressional Delegation, members of the Hawaii State Legislature, other elec

Peter Shumlin Picks a Team of Rivals

TRANSITION WATCH: Vermont's governor-elect appoints former political opponents, Iowa's thrifty transition and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Pat Quinn Rehires His Old Chief of Staff as an Adviser

TRANSITION WATCH: Jerry Stermer returns three months after he resigned in Illinois, charges of nepotism in South Dakota and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Historic Firsts on State High Courts

TODAY'S TAKE: The Hawaii Supreme Court would be led by a woman for the first time ever - and California's high court would have its first female majority - under judicial nominations made by the two states' governors last week.

In Hawaii, an Imbroglio Over an Investment Gone Bad

Hawaii Auditor Marion Higa (left)and Governor Linda Lingle (right) Hawaii holds $1 billion worth of securities that have become nearly impossible to unload since the market froze in 2008. When Auditor Marion Higa (pictured bottom) issued a report looking at the problem, it opened a debate with Governor Linda Lingle (top) about how the state's finances are managed.

The Trillion Dollar Gap: Hawaii

Hawaii’s management of its long-term pension liability is cause for serious concern and needs to improve how it handles the bill coming due for retiree health care and other benefits.

Hawaii's HOPE Program

Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) program identifies probationers at high risk of violating the conditions of their community supervision, and deters them from using drugs and committing crimes with frequent and random drug tests backed up by swift, certain and short jail stays.

Weekly Wrap: Govs Seek to Prop Up Budget Reserve Funds

Depleted rainy day funds prompt review; Toyota's temporary sales suspension could impact state revenue; Ohio loses an iconic employer; and new studies released on recession, state stimulus web sites.

Summary of the Hawaii State of the State Address

Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle (R) on Jan. 25 laid out an ambitious agenda for her final year in office, proposing tax credits to stimulate clean energy jobs, strengthening the education department by putting it in the governor's Cabinet and creating a budget stabilization fund to help protect the state's finances.

Hawaii State of the State Address 2010

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Jan. 25 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Linda Lingle's (R) 2010 state of the state address: Senate President Hanabusa, Speaker Say, Lt. Governor and Mrs. Aiona, former Governor Ariyoshi, members of the Legislature, cabinet members, Chief Justice Moon, Chair Apoliona, Mayor Hannemann, mi

The Impact of Hawaii's HOPE Program on Drug Use, Crime and Recidivism

New research on Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) program shows that HOPE probationers served or were sentenced to an average of 48 percent fewer days in jail and prison.

Iowa Governor Touts 4-Day Workweek

TODAY'S TAKE: Iowa Gov. Chet Culver (D) is touting Utah's first-in-the-nation move to a four-day workweek for most executive-branch state workers, and he is pushing the proposal as a way to cut costs in his own state. Hawaii and Washington State have also tried the idea.

Credit Unions Help Strapped State Employees

As state employees across the country are being hammered by layoffs, pay cuts and forced unpaid days off, some state employees' credit unions are stepping in to help workers get through these tough times.

Furloughs Cut Into State Services

With states facing a $121 billion shortfall in the next fiscal year, a growing number of them have turned to squeezing their workforce for savings, and effects both great and small will be felt.

One in 31: Hawaii

One in 32 adults is under correctional control in Hawaii.

AGs Optimistic on Better State-Fed Relations

State attorneys general, who this month attended their first meeting with new U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, say they are hopeful they can forge better relations with Washington, D.C., on environmental protection, sex offender policy and other subjects that became state-federal battlegrounds during the Bush administration.

Hawaii State of the State Address 2009

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Jan. 26 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Linda Lingle's (R) 2009 state of the state address: Senate President Hanabusa, Speaker Say, Lt. Governor and Mrs. Aiona, former Governor Ariyoshi, former Governor Waihe'e and Mrs. Waihe'e, members of the Legislature, cabinet members, Chief Justice

Shifting Economy Keeps States Guessing

A month from the start of many legislative sessions, state leaders still don't know how much money they will have to cut from budgets.