A $3.6 billion dollar budget deficit has taxpayers in Honolulu wondering if the rail project will ever reach Ala Moana Center as promised. The line is now projected to cost at least $12.4 billion and there are more calls for it to stop at Middle Street.

The news that former Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa is taking a six-figure consultant job with the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has a lot of folks suspecting the influence of politics on a project way over budget and way behind schedule.

Hawaii lawmakers are scheduled to conclude this year’s session on Thursday. But lots of bills died and it’s hard to think of much of substance that was accomplished.

A report requested by House leadership faulted State Auditor Les Kondo for late reports, unqualified staff and inconsistent standards. But Kondo is fighting back, arguing that the real reason behind auditing the auditor is purely political.

The recent influx of visitors to the islands brings to mind a tag line from the old “Poltergeist” films. We need tourists, but their outsize presence after a year’s absence is also a little unnerving.

The Hawaii House Speaker wants public officials to get substantial salary increases even as the state continues to struggle through a pandemic-induced economic crisis.

If Rip Van Winkle fell asleep in Honolulu in 2006 when the rail cost was $3 billion, imagine his reaction upon waking 15 years later.

Top Democrats in Hawaii are hailing the $1.6 billion in federal pandemic relief money to help the state budget. While fiscal challenges remain, the big bucks mean there will be no furloughs or layoffs of state workers.