Hawaii

White Honolulu Skyline train on elevated track.

Hawai’i Transportation Projects Receive Federal Grants

State officials say they need around $15 billion to mitigate the impacts of rising seas.

February 28, 2024 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Blurred close-up of movers in blue coveralls unloading cardboard boxes from moving van.

Population Losers

California's population dipped below 39 million as of July, according to the Census Bureau, after seeing its net domestic migration loss this year exceed last year's. Only New York has seen a greater loss as a percentage of population.

December 28, 2023 - San Francisco Chronicle

Aerial view of destroyed home and cars after Lahaina, Hawaii wildfires.

Displacement Fears in Lahaina

Economists warn that reconstruction could put new housing out of reach for long-time residents.

October 6, 2023 - Route Fifty

Aerial view of coastal development and bright blue ocean in Kaua'i, Hawai'i.

Kaua’i County Uses Long-Range Models to Mandate Resiliency Standards

The county requires builders to assess potential flood risks using models that account for sea level rise projected as far out as 2100.

September 28, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Traffic on Hawaii highway with green mountains in background

Hawaii Could Implement Road Usage Charge

The tax would apply to electric vehicles, which avoid the state’s gas tax and are a growing percentage of cars on the road.

July 28, 2023 - KHON

The exterior of the Hawaii state capitol building.

Hawaii Governor Wipes Away Regulatory Barriers to Housing With the Stroke of a Pen

The governor of Hawaii is using emergency powers to remove barriers to housing construction.

July 23, 2023 - Honolulu Advertiser

A system map of Skyline Mail, which circumvents the city of Honolulu.

Skyline Rail, Now Serving Honolulu

In a historic day for public transit, Skyline Rail, a project once deemed the worst transit project in the United States due to extreme cost overruns and construction delays, finally opened to the public at the end of June.

July 2, 2023 - The Honolulu Star Advertiser

View of blurry speeding cars on freeway at sunset

National Mileage Fee Pilot Program Late to Launch

EV sales are increasing–good news for the environment but bad news for road funding, as they pay no fuel taxes. Fortunately, the bipartisan infrastructure law has $125 million earmarked to "demonstrate a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee."

June 29, 2023 - The Associated Press

Man in blue jacket photographs birds outdoors with zoom lens

The Importance of Community Scientists

Community science mobilizes the public to work alongside scientists to help answer questions about the world. Learn about the valuable contributions of community scientists in Hawai'i.

June 26, 2023 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Rendering of white Honolulu light railtrain speeding past landscape

Honolulu Light Rail to Open in June

The city’s first light rail line will finally begin service after more than a half century of planning.

May 18, 2023 - Hawaii Public Radio

Aerial view of homes on beach in Maui, Hawaii

Addressing Sea Level Rise and Coastal Threats in Maui

Learn how Maui County is integrating sea level rise and coastal threats into planning for and protecting its 65 beach parks.

May 9, 2023 - Parks and Recreation Magazine

Aerial view of residential development near beach in Oahu, Hawaii

Hawaii State Bills Could Limit or Expand Affordable Housing Law

Some legislators see a law that provides a zoning exemption to affordable housing builders as a necessary way to alleviate the housing crisis, while others worry about the impact of fast-tracked development on land zoned for conservation.

February 8, 2023 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Hawaii

Fighting for Their Future: Hawai’i Kids Sue State Over Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A group of Hawai’ian youth is suing the state’s Department of Transportation, claiming that Hawai’i’s transportation system contributes to climate change and the destruction of homes and cultural traditions.

June 16, 2022 - Streetsblog USA

Downtown Honolulu as seen from the top of Diamond Head

Report Calls for Comprehensive Plan To Eliminate Homelessness in Maui

A commission report found that Maui does not have a comprehensive plan for supporting unhoused residents, leaving efforts largely to nonprofit organizations.

May 9, 2022 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Gas Pumps

Waging War on High Gas Prices

America is not at war, but that didn't stop President Joe Biden from calling the largest release of oil from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve that he authorized on March 31 to lower oil prices, a 'wartime bridge.'

April 6, 2022 - Washington Examiner

Oahu

'Monster Homes' Not the Desired Density Solution for Oahu

Questions of density, and how to add it to single-family neighborhoods, abound in this article focusing on Honolulu and other communities on Oahu.

March 2, 2022 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Oil

Democrats Balk at Gov. Newsom's Gas Tax Holiday

Saving motorists 3 cents a gallon may be a slam dunk for Republican leaders in the California legislature who opposed hiking the gas tax in the first place, but Democratic leaders are reluctant to tamper with a hard-fought legislative and ballot win.

February 22, 2022 - The Associated Press

Downtown Honolulu as seen from the top of Diamond Head

Upzoning Bill Permits More Density in Honolulu

A bill that allows higher density in certain Honolulu neighborhoods could reduce the cost of development and create more affordable housing units.

February 9, 2022 - Hawaii Business Magazine

An image of a bridge in Vermont with a sign in front of it announcing a COVID-19 quarantine order.

Boosters and Breakthroughs in Vermont

The most vaccinated state in the U.S. may tell us where the future of the country is headed in the war against the coronavirus. Could it become a 'pandemic of the vaccinated'?

October 4, 2021 - WPTZ

HART Rail Honolulu

Ideas for Urban Resilience

Five experts reflect on developing trends and future possibilities for resilience in Honolulu and other cities.

July 7, 2021 - Hawaii Business Magazine

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.