Clear Conflict: Bills that stirred Hawaiʻi politics in 2025
‘We’re Doomed’: Hawaii labor force is shrinking as population ages, workers leave
SA: … In July, Hawaii had 650,800 jobs led by employees in government (126,000), leisure and hospitality (124,400) and trade, transportation and utilities (118,700), according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
At the same time, forces beyond the control of workers continue, including the exodus of survivors of the August 2023 Maui wildfires who lost jobs and still cannot find affordable housing — along with President Donald Trump’s purge of the federal workforce.
Among Hawaii-based federal workers, Perreira said, “there’s a lot of uncertainty. We’ve got folks here in specialized occupations where the federal government was the only option.”
Hawaii has the highest rate of union membership in the country — 26.5% — which Perreira, Tui and Watanabe believe has helped keep unionized employees in Hawaii by negotiating livable wages and job protections.
Hawaii also enjoys one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country — 2.7% in July — which state economist Seth Colby said means “everybody who wants a job can have one, while we don’t have enough workers to fill our positions. Over the last several years, the problem has become more acute.”
But Watanabe — of Local 5 — believes that Hawaii’s low unemployment rate masks the true labor picture for employees who have to work two or three jobs just to survive in the islands.
Within the next decade, UHERO forecasts that every one in four Hawaii residents will be 65 and older, followed in the years ahead by “a surge in the number of older kupuna, those 75 and older.”
What UHERO called “the unprecedented acceleration of population aging” began in 2011 when the oldest of Hawaii’s baby boomers turned 65.
For the overall workforce, Perreira said, “We are reaching a point, myself included, where we’re all aging and our kids are no longer here.”
Tui said, “We want to see our communities thrive and succeed. If people continue to move out, we’re doomed. … It’s very worrying and concerning.” ….
SA: Editorial: Rough labor road needs better map | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
read … Hawaii labor force is shrinking as population ages, workers leave | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
State’s EV perks, federal tax credits nearing an end
SA: … For electric vehicle drivers in Hawaii, there will soon be few, if any, perks left — as some of the most popular ones are set to expire this month.
Solo drivers with EV license plates have since 2012 been permitted to use the high-occupancy vehicle lane on Oahu highways, which are usually reserved for cars with at least two occupants during rush hour to encourage carpooling.
On Sept. 30, a federal code allowing states to set their own HOV lane requirements expires, and federal tax credits of up to $7,500 for the purchase or lease of EV vehicles also end.
In July 2021 there were 15,551 registered EVs in Hawaii, which more than doubled to nearly 33,000 by July 2024. As of July this year, the state counted 38,086 registered EVs in Hawaii, a 16% increase from 2024.
EVs now represent 3.5% of the more than 1 million registered passenger vehicles in the state….
read … State’s EV perks, federal tax credits nearing an end | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Solar Panel System Is On The Blink — Again
CA: … The large photovoltaic solar array on the roof of the Hawaiʻi County Building where council members were meeting isn’t working, he told his colleagues, and it’s unclear when the system will be back on line producing power….
Tom Callis, public information officer for Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda, confirmed in a statement the rooftop system is out of commission, and electricity billing records suggest the system went offline sometime in August 2024….
“With the system offline, the monthly electricity bills for this building have on average increased by about $4,000,” Callis said.
The PV system was installed on the roof of the 45,000-square-foot building as part of a three-year, $28 million renovation project that began in 2006. County officials said at the time the 100-kilowatt solar system would reduce energy consumption in the building by 42%.
But Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder said this is not the first time the system has failed. He noticed in 2019 the utility box for the system wasn’t emitting the high-pitched hum it normally makes when it’s working.
Hawaiʻi County Council Member Matt Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder said it’s not the first time the PV system has failed.
He reported the problem to the county Department of Public Works, but said it was many months before the system was fixed….
read … Solar Panel System Is On The Blink — Again
Electric vehicle aches extend to cargo shipping in Hawaii
SA: … Pavlicek said the trade association representing Hawaii car dealers is monitoring the situation, and that currently no negative impacts on Hawaii’s supply of EVs or plug-in hybrid vehicles is anticipated from Matson’s move.
Pasha Hawaii, a Matson rival serving Hawaii from two California ports, continues to transport EVs.
The company said in a statement that it continues to be a “vital link” for auto manufacturers, auto dealerships and vehicle owners statewide.
On its website, Pasha states that EVs must be tendered with no more than a 30% battery charge, and set to a power save or shipping mode if available. Pasha also charges an extra $275 for EVs and plug-in hybrids.
California-based Pasha began competing with Matson in 2005 when it put into service its then-new ship, the MV Jean Anne, which was built to carry more than 3,000 midsized automobiles that can be driven on and off the vessel. Pasha since then has added several more ships to its Hawaii service….
EVs have been shipped to Hawaii for more than a decade, and HADA reported that they represented 14.7% of all new vehicle registrations during the first half of this year….
read … Electric vehicle aches extend to cargo shipping in Hawaii | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
It’s not easy to get a gun legally in Hawai‘i—but it is easy to get one illegally
MN: … Handley Campos says it’s not easy to get a gun legally in Hawai‘i — sometimes it can take months to go through the process. As a licensed instructor and owner of Handley’s Gun Shop, she often walks people through the steps.
First, a person has to go through training with an instructor authorized by the Maui Police Department, which will issue a certificate allowing them to apply for a handgun or rifle permit. The applicant needs to provide proof of identification and residency, pay a fee of $42, and complete a number of questionnaires, forms and fingerprint card with MPD’s Records Division. There’s then a waiting period, which can range from 14 to 40 calendar days, during which they will undergo a background check. If approved, they can purchase any gun listed on the permit. Newly acquired firearms must be registered within five days...
read … Ghost guns tough to regulate in Hawaiʻi, police and legislators agree after one used in fatal shooting of Maui officer : Maui Now
Benjamin Moszkowicz's last day as Chief of the Hawaii Police Department
KITV: … Major Reed Mahuna will be Interim Chief effective September 1, while they conduct a search for a new permanent Chief ….
read … Benjamin Moszkowicz's last day as Chief of the Hawaii Police Department | Local | kitv.com
Hawaii Visitors Hit By $250 U.S. Visa Fee Shock
BH: … Starting October 1, international travelers to the U.S. will face a $250 visa integrity fee, one of the highest visa charges in the world. For Hawaii, the timing could not be worse. The fee threatens to stall the fragile recovery of international markets such as China and the Philippines and undo years of effort to diversify beyond traditional mainland visitors….
read … Hawaii Visitors Hit By $250 U.S. Visa Fee Shock - Beat of Hawaii
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