What’s a carbon tax?

Recently, the Hawaii Tax Review Commission’s primary consultant, PFM Group, issued a final report to the commission asking it to review many taxing alternatives, including a “carbon tax” that had the potential to put an additional $360 million per year into our state coffers (assuming a tax rate of $20 per metric ton of CO2 released).

Island economy depends heavily on tourism

The increasing number of visitors to Kauai continues to impact the island’s economy and infrastructure. Nearly 80 percent of the business at Poipu Beach’s Brennecke’s Beach Broiler and Nukumoi Surf Company comes from tourism, according to owner Bob French.

Talk Story: Brian Kohatsu

For one Kauai man, turning a series of tragedies into triumphs inspires him to help others who have hit rock bottom.

Working on the island of Niihau

During 1993, while employed as a U.S. Department of Agriculture entomological technician, I had the privilege of visiting Niihau several times to assist entomologist Dr. Roger Vargas with his insect survey of the island.

A look back at the look ahead: Grading 2017 predictions

I like to be held accountable for my actions. Well, within reason. Let’s not go crazy, here. But if I make a prediction of somesort, I don’t want it to just float off into the ether. I’ll take the flak for any misguided prognostications. I made some predictions on Jan. 1, so now that we’ve reached the 2017 calendar’s final inch of real estate, let’s see howthose panned out.

New economic protests in Tehran challenge Iran’s government

A wave of spontaneous protests over Iran’s weak economy swept into Tehran on Saturday, with college students and others chanting against the government just hours after hard-liners held their own rally in support of the Islamic Republic’s clerical establishment.

Texting ban may soon be enforced on Florida’s deadly roads

Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Mark Wysocky says it is hard to separate texting drivers from drunken drivers as he cruises down a suburban interstate highway. Both weave. They speed up and slow down for no obvious reason and get too close to other cars. They endanger their lives and others.

Prediction: More plastic is coming

A 40 percent rise in plastic production is on the horizon, according to the American Chemistry Council, and that presents a big problem for little islands like Kauai, conservationists say.

Kamehameha Schools invests more than $1.9 million on Kauai, Niihau

The Wai‘ale‘ale Project at Kauai Community College provides financial, academic and other supports to reduce barriers for students who otherwise were not bound for college. The Wai‘ale‘ale Project is among more than a dozen programs on Kauai and Niihau in collaboration with Kamehameha Schools to strengthen the achievements of Native Hawaiian learners.

Holiday giving a Grand Hyatt tradition

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa ohana went big with giving in the 2017 holiday season. Benevolence was ever present as employees from all departments at the resort gave in some way.

Coco Palms hearing erupts into court chaos

The courtroom drama unfolding had little to do with the testimony before District Court Judge Michael Soong. It involved bailiff Lou Jeal trying to physically remove a spectator from the courtroom.