Hawaiian Electric parent touts financial strength
Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. on Friday reported net income of $27 million for the January-March period, down from $42 million a year earlier. Read more
Andrew Gomes
Andrew Gomes is a business reporter at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Gomes is a longtime Hawaii journalist who for most of his career has concentrated on business subjects with a particular focus on real estate and land-use topics that include housing, development and agriculture.
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He is a fourth-generation kamaaina born on Oahu who earned a journalism degree from the University of Hawaii. Gomes has been a reporter for local newspapers since the mid-1990s. He regularly enjoys surfing, bodysurfing and skateboarding.
Latest Stories by Andrew Gomes
Mild recession forecast for Hawaii economy
University of Hawaii economists expect the state economy to begin gradually contracting later this year due to federal policy impacts hurting tourism, employment and personal income. Read more
Matson cargo business from China is broadsided by Trump trade tariffs
The U.S.-led trade war with China has delivered a hard initial blow to one of Hawaii’s largest companies, ocean cargo transportation firm Matson Inc. Read more
Hawaii Legislature pumps up nonprofit grant funding
Hawaii nonprofits stand to receive a lot more grant funding from the Legislature this year due to expectations of federal aid cuts by President Donald Trump. Read more
Hawaii lawmakers OK about 250 bills
The state Legislature gave final approval to about 250 bills Wednesday during several hours of voting that included a surprise defeat of a gun- control measure. Read more
Hawaii Legislature set to pay out $9.5 million for claims
Unwanted hugs from a judge, an infamous false missile alert and a mishap with a log splitter are among incidents for which the state is prepared to pay loss claims totaling $9.5 million this year. Read more
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Hawaii lawmakers scurry to advance flurry of bills past key deadline
Legislative casualties Friday included a bill to legalize online sports betting in Hawaii and one to give the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands $600 million to develop homesteads for beneficiaries. Read more
Bill sets aside $807.5 million for Maui wildfire claims
Hawaii legislative leaders have agreed to fully fund the state’s share of Maui wildfire damage claims slated to be paid out over four years. Read more
Hawaii lawmakers reach deal on nearly $20B state budget
A compromise draft of the state’s biennium budget bill authorizes $19.9 billion in spending on government operations and capital improvement projects for the 2026 fiscal year that starts July 1, up 4% from the current fiscal year. Read more
3 entrepreneurs in the running for Hawaii House seat
Hawaii’s Democratic governor has a choice of three Republican nominees from which to appoint a successor to the late Rep. Gene Ward in the state House of Representatives. Read more
State fund eyed for workforce housing subsidies
State lawmakers are considering diverting a state fund used almost exclusively to develop low-income rental housing to build apartments for residents with higher incomes — topping out well above what most people earn. Read more
Hawaii economists offer bleak take on Trump tariffs
Hawaii’s economy is in store for reduced growth due to indirect impacts on tourism from President Donald Trump’s global tariffs, according to two local economists. Read more
Hawaii water commission nominee garners flood of support
No one opposed Hannah Springer’s confirmation at the committee hearing where 308 people and organizations submitted supportive written testimony. Read more
Geothermal power exploration building up steam
Three state agencies have big ambitions to expand geothermal power production in Hawaii, and two somewhat competing bids for more funding are at a final stage of potential legislative approval. Read more
Maui housing conversion endeavor stalls
An effort to help alleviate Maui’s dire shortage of affordable housing by having a state agency acquire and convert commercial buildings to partial residential use has come up short at this year’s Legislature but still might produce results. Read more
Abuse protections sought for Hawaii’s homeschooled children
Homeschooled Hawaii children might be required to appear periodically in public school if an idea discussed Wednesday by a legislative panel trying to prevent child abuse is realized. Read more
State lawmakers endorse subsidized housing for state employees
Many local government employees in Hawaii may be able to rent or buy taxpayer-subsidized housing if a bill pending at the Legislature becomes law. Read more
Hawaiian homestead development plans questioned amid funding request
A somewhat nebulous picture of homestead production by the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands using the appropriation may be jeopardizing an effort by the agency to obtain another $600 million from the Legislature this year despite heavy backing in the House of Representatives. Read more
Veteran GOP state lawmaker Gene Ward served with distinction, fervor
Ward, 82, died Friday morning after prolonged health issues kept him sidelined from the state Capitol since January and led him to resign Monday after representing his East Honolulu district, which includes Hawaii Kai, for 27 years. Read more
Gene Ward dies after serving in Hawaii’s Legislature for nearly 30 years
Ward, who was 82, had served as a Republican in the state House serving constituents in an east Honolulu district that included Hawaii Kai and Kalama Valley. Read more
Hawaii condo insurance relief on horizon
Administrators of the state’s dormant Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund are preparing to begin offering hurricane insurance policies in June to one or more types of condo association properties. Read more
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