House and Senate bills would undercut a new law that requires unannounced state inspections of care homes by making those optional.

It’s long past time for Gov. David Ige to insist on changes and improvement within the Department of Health’s care home regulatory branch.

The state agency overseeing adult care homes says it is improving its practices and there is no risk to the health or safety of the patients.

Words have meaning especially as you age.

Oahu has the fastest-growing population of people 65 and older in the country.

From school rivalries to aloha attire, these aging transplants from Hawaii keep their roots alive — in Medford, Oregon.

The unauthorized facilities proliferated while the Health Department failed to establish rules on which ones needs licenses.

In high-priced Hawaii, growing old at home is often not the best choice, but rather a default option because there is no alternative.

Advocates for the elderly say unannounced inspections are long overdue but state officials foresee problems.

UPDATED. Lawmakers have introduced a bill with the backing of the industry and some elderly-rights groups but the measure faces a long road to passage.