Concerned about negative media reports, some on the rail authority board — including its chair, Colleen Hanabusa — want to spend more on public relations.

Bribery, political influence, people skills and other factors help determine an application's speed at the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting.

The mayor of Maui County has told the EPA it can seal Lahaina’s toxic ash with a
soil stabilization product, even though some warn of its potential public health consequences.

Five members of the Honolulu City Council and a staffer are traveling to South Korea this week as part of a Sister City relationship. Their hosts are picking up part of the tab.

A rebrand of the Hawaii State Art Museum has turned HiSAM into Capitol Modern. But hardly anyone likes the change, which came from a well-paid consultant working with museum executives.

The Honolulu rail authority has proposed new rules that critics say could limit the free speech rights of some board members.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has left a lot of critical questions unanswered about the Lahaina fires.

The Honolulu rail authority has upset The Outdoor Circle and area residents for cutting down kamani trees along the planned fixed guideway system.

Maui County and Hawaiian Electric Co. have both been targets of public outrage over who's responsible for the devastation and death in Lahaina -- the utility because power lines may have sparked the fire and the county for its ineffective response including leaving the Lahaina area too soon. First, Maui County filed a lawsuit against HECO then HECO pushed back last week with its view of events.

Despite years of studies and debate over managing the risk from wildfires, government officials still neglected the opportunities to put money or programs in place to address the growing problem.