The Aha Moku Advisory Committee has been shrouded in controversy since its creation and spent the last six years unable to operate effectively.

The end of this year’s legislative session is just days away, and lawmakers say they still haven’t seen a clear plan for improving Hawaii’s child welfare system.

The state representative could be required, however, to inform the chamber of her efforts to get her driver’s license back.

She succeeds Clare Connors, who is now the U.S. attorney for the District of Hawaii.

A bill dubbed the “Yes In My Backyard Act” would create a working group to develop a plan to reduce regulatory barriers and improve community outreach.

Lawmakers have much leeway to make drastic changes to bills in midsession, but could also be hauled into court if they go too far.

Lawmakers want the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to pick up the pace in drafting evacuation plans.

The city is already unable to deliver enough waste to H-POWER, and critics say burning trash is out of step with the city’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.

The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee voted 4-1 to send the nominee to a floor vote.

The state Senate is considering a resolution that would ask UH and an advocacy group to study ways to improve the status of Filipino students and professors.