Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Airbnb Says No To Collecting Taxes On Rentals
State officials are worried they could end up with no new revenue if Airbnb backpedals on the collection process.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Economists: Financial Challenges Are Looming For Hawaii
Economists caution legislators about the housing shortage, the possibility of lower tax revenue and reduced tourist spending.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Why Gov. Ige’s Secret Talks With Airbnb Have So Many People Upset
A backlash is brewing against a potential deal for the company to collect Hawaii taxes — in part, because no one knows what’s in the agreement.
Alan McNarie/Civil Beat/2017
Alan McNarie: Helicopter Noise On The Big Island Has Residents Buzzing
Protesters decry “dirty tourism” during a demonstration outside the Hilo airport. “It’s never been this bad,” said a County Council member.
Ronen Zilberman/Civil Beat
Why Working Women In Hawaii Aren’t Doing As Well As It Seems
The islands have a smaller gender pay gap than the mainland, but that’s partially due to relatively low pay for men here.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Hawaii Visitor Spending Jumped Nearly 10 Percent In July
Travelers spent $1.6 billion last month, and the number of visitors climbed almost 7 percent to more than 890,000.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
$2.4 Billion Rail Rescue Plan Clears Another Senate Hurdle
UPDATED: The proposal to raise hotel taxes and extend the GET next faces another vote by the full Senate on Wednesday, then likely House consideration.
Anthony Quintano/Civil Beat
Save Beaches Or Property? Climate Change Will Force Tough Choices
A coastal hazard expert briefs Hawaii officials and others about the need to adapt to rising sea levels and warmer temperatures.
Courtesy of Monty Downs
Tad Bartimus: Life-Saving Rescue Tubes Date Back 100 Years
Thanks primarily to volunteer efforts, more than 1,000 yellow rescue tubes have been installed on beaches on the Mainland and Hawaii, including 240 on Kauai.
Marina Riker/Civil Beat
Denby Fawcett: Hawaii Pushes For More Tourists At All Costs
The tourism industry is showing little concern for the impact increasing numbers of visitors has on residents and communities.