Hawaii's minimum wage grew from $12 an hour to $14 on Jan. 1, and it's set to go to $18 four years from now. But at least 10 states and D.C. already pay more.

From the Maui wildfires at home to wars and disasters abroad, a lot of terrible things happened this year. Here's hoping for a brighter new year.

The governor's proposed spending plan addresses Maui's recovery but does not shortchange housing, homelessness, mental health, working families or much else. Will the state have enough revenue to pay for all those goodies?

A U.S. senator from Hawaii supports federal legislation seeking to crack down on illegal dogfighting and cockfighting.

Alaska Airlines announced last week it would buy Hawaiian Airlines in an all-cash $1.9 billion deal. The sale still needs to win federal approval which could take a year or more. But the proposal, which airline officials say would keep each company's identity relatively intact, is being met favorably by many in Hawaii.

Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez had to issue subpoenas to several Maui County agencies that have resisted turning over records related to the state's investigation into the Aug. 8 wildfires.

More than 65 lawsuits have been filed in state court on Maui against Hawaiian Electric, Maui County, the state and a number of other defendants over the Maui wildfires. Legal experts say the current situation may well be unmanageable for the state's judicial system.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green and House Speaker Scott Saiki traveled to Japan this week to drum up some much-needed business back home.

President Joe Biden is dealing with a myriad of problems. Can he survive and be re-elected?

Hawaii has halted a $1.86 million modernization of its business registration system due to defects, the second scrapped computer upgrade this year.