Bills designed to protect Hawaii condo owners face a potential new life in the 2024 legislative session after stalling in 2023

You only get into trouble when you start playing games that go beyond taking care of the people’s business.

Health care, homelessness and workforce development are among the many competing goals. Will there be enough money to pay for it all?

Hawaii legislators tend to either ignore last year’s stalled measures or roll out new ones that would accomplish the same things.

The Department of Agriculture has more than 100 job vacancies. Lawmakers demand greater accountability as they consider next year’s funding requests.

Proponents say the legislation could dramatically reduce the influence of special interest money in local campaigns.

About $120 million is needed to repair student housing stock, UH leaders said. But some senators questioned the timing of the request.

The state says the initiative will now cost $60 million after a previous contract to develop the new financial system failed.

Traditionally Hawaii residents eagerly applied for safe government jobs but particularly difficult jobs now have vacancy rates of 40%.

The Maui fires loom over this year’s Legislature, but longstanding problems also need to be addressed, including school bus shortages and teacher retention.