Indigenous status of Native Hawaiians downplayed in bid to cut federal funds
President Donald Trump is proposing for a second straight year to eliminate federal funding for the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Read more
Andrew Gomes
Andrew Gomes is a business reporter at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Gomes is a longtime Hawaii journalist who for most of his career has concentrated on business subjects with a particular focus on real estate and land-use topics that include housing, development and agriculture.
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He is a fourth-generation kamaaina born on Oahu who earned a journalism degree from the University of Hawaii. Gomes has been a reporter for local newspapers since the mid-1990s. He regularly enjoys surfing, bodysurfing and skateboarding.
Latest Stories by Andrew Gomes
Large section of Aloha Stadium demolished as project proceeds
Construction of the new facility is expected to be finished in 2029. Read more
Hawaii income tax cuts hang in balance as legislative session nears end
Leaders in the state Legislature will soon try to hash out differences over legislation put forth in January by Gov. Josh Green, who wants annual tax cuts slated for 2027 through 2031 repealed for all taxpayers to preserve revenue. Read more
Hawaii retailers, caught in a pinch over pennies, seek bill rounding
Five months after the federal government stopped minting new pennies, Hawaii lawmakers are working to accelerate phasing out use of the coins throughout the state. Read more
Labor lawyer ‘Cov’ Ratcliffe appointed to state House
A local labor attorney will fill a vacancy in the state House of Representatives after being selected by Gov. Josh Green. Read more
‘Exile’ of Hawaii’s prison population targeted for reduction or end
State lawmakers are pushing hard this year to clamp a pipeline established three decades ago to house convicted Hawaii felons in out-of-state prisons. Read more
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New draft of state budget bill slims spending
A committee of senators in Hawaii’s Legislature is recommending that the state operating budget next fiscal year be smaller than two earlier proposals by Gov. Josh Green and a House committee. Read more
Oahu’s housing market saw surge and slump in March
Sales in Oahu’s housing market surged last month for single-family homes but remained stuck in a small slump for condominiums as purchase prices for both types of properties rose a bit. Read more
Lawmakers consider calling ‘action’ on enhanced film industry incentives
The Hawaii lawmakers are considering several ways to boost state subsidies for film productions in the wake of a relative dry spell of high-value projects last year and a rebound this year. Read more
Bills would raise tax on pricey Hawaii home sales
The bills would adjust tax brackets with inflation so that lower-value homes would not get pushed into higher brackets as housing prices rise over time. Read more
Gov. Green nominates Vladimir Devens as Hawaii’s chief justice
If confirmed by the state Senate, Devens would shift his position on the court and also become responsible for the administration of Hawaii’s entire court system, Read more
Hawaiian Electric bills to soar up to 30% due to higher oil prices
Oahu customers will start seeing higher April bills, followed by Hawaii island and Maui County customers in May and June, according to the company. Read more
Hawaiian Electric warns of coming bill spike
Oahu customers will start seeing higher April bills, followed by Hawaii island and Maui County customers seeing increases in May and June, according to the company. Read more
Land under BOH Waikiki Center sold for $67M
The sale of the leased fee interest under most of the Bank of Hawaii Waikiki Center fronting Kalakaua Avenue and Beach Walk was made to an undisclosed buyer. Read more
Trump’s executive order targets mail-in voting in all states
In the 2024 election, 95% of Hawaii voters voted by mail, with the other 5% casting their ballots in person. Read more
Bill to extract more taxes from rental car industry stalls
Efforts to generate more tax revenue from Hawaii’s rental car industry via multiple avenues at the state Legislature has run out of gas. Read more
Wahiawa Dam ‘not designed for flood control’
Seven miles upstream of Waialua and Haleiwa, an engineering monument has stood for 120 years that is both a catastrophic flood danger and a flood prevention instrument. Read more
Public takeover of Wahiawa dam and reservoir by state advances
The state acquisition of Wahiawa Dam, Lake Wilson and downstream farm irrigation infrastructure is expected in a few weeks after receiving a major approval Friday. Read more
State moving forward with rehab of hazardous Wahiawa Dam
The state is working to jump-start safety upgrades on the privately owned Wahiawa Dam, which last week neared a feared failure point that triggered emergency evacuations for thousands of residents on Oahu’s North Shore. Read more
Waiau power plant Biofuel project approved
The state Public Utilities Commission has snubbed a request by the state’s chief energy officer to defer a decision on a proposed biofuel power plant on Oahu, approving the project Monday. Read more
‘Backroom deal’ meddling alleged in power plant case
The state’s chief energy officer appointed by Gov. Josh Green is being accused of meddling in a quasi-judicial proceeding on an Oahu renewable- energy project in favor of an alternative power project proposal announced Tuesday by the governor. Read more
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