Volcanic Ash: Declining public libraries erode Hawaii’s civic soul
The affinity I developed for public libraries leaves me pained to see the struggles they now face in Hawaii and around the country. Read more
David Shapiro
David Shapiro is a Honolulu Star-Advertiser columnist whose "Volcanic Ash" column appears every Sunday. Shapiro has covered Hawaii and national news for five decades as a reporter, editor and columnist for Honolulu daily newspapers.
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Latest Stories by David Shapiro
David Shapiro: Trumpism has conquered a severely bruised nation
Kamala Harris gave a classy concession speech when it was clear she’d lost the election for president, and managed the traditional congratulatory call to Donald Trump — the opposite of what Trump did when he lost four years ago. Read more
David Shapiro: From big balloon payment to Council installment pay
I’ve gotten questions from readers on how to vote on City Charter ballot question No. 4, changing the way City Council pay raises are determined. Read more
David Shapiro: Regents had real choices in choosing University of Hawaii president
What’s encouraging about the hiring of a new University of Hawaii president is that it attracted true up-and-coming applicants this time after several cycles in which top candidates stayed away because of the poisonous politics surrounding UH. Read more
David Shapiro: HPD ire on shooting deal puts Council in dilemma
When business and high emotions come into conflict in politics, emotions often win. Read more
David Shapiro: Rail chief shows the pols how to really play politics
Honolulu rail CEO Lori Kahikina gets mixed marks on running a railroad, but she’s an ace when it comes to boardroom politics. Read more
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David Shapiro: Ask Sen. Schatz anything and the answer is housing
I track the state of Twitter, now called X after its takeover by the imperious and conspiratorial Elon Musk, by occasionally checking the feed of Hawaii U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, among the most social-media savvy in Congress. Read more
David Shapiro: Stand your ground here and get 40 hours of lockup
Barely a week after the Honolulu Police Commission flagged Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan’s communications problems in his annual evaluation, he gave an unfortunate demonstration at his news conference on a tragic Waianae shooting that left four dead. Read more
David Shapiro: Bob Dubill flew with best as a legendary journalist
My favorite editor, Bob Dubill, told me he liked this column I wrote 25 years ago so much he regularly reread it with his son. Read more
David Shapiro: Only will and commitment can fix isle homelessness
Kailua is hardly the center of Oahu’s homelessness problem, but almost any outing around town brings disturbing scenes. Read more
David Shapiro: Incumbents not unbeatable against grit, right message
A couple of high-profile Democratic upsets were the compelling stories of the 2024 primary election. Read more
David Shapiro: Our state becomes moldy when Hawaii leaders age
In Hawaii, political talk of age is discouraged, and that’s a mistake. It’s partly because we revere kupuna, believing wisdom comes with age. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t. Read more
David Shapiro: The Dana Ireland murder continues to shake lives
After 33 years, Dana Ireland’s brutal slaying on the Big Island remains a crushing heartbreak for those touched by the tragedy and a disgraceful failure of the county’s law enforcement. Read more
David Shapiro: 2 parties forge 2 paths to promoting minority rule
An acquaintance on the Republican right once told me, “I don’t care so much which party has the White House and Congress, as long as we have the Supreme Court.” Read more
David Shapiro: Trust will remain broken when accountability lags
Randall Roth lit a flame 27 years ago that still burns brightly. Read more
David Shapiro: District 22 Senate drama is turning Shakespearean
Gov. Josh Green faces only bad options in making an interim appointment to fill a vacant West Oahu state Senate seat, and his plan to wait until after the Aug. 10 primary election is a fair solution — even if it bends the law. Read more
Green won’t fill Senate vacancy until after primary election
Sen. Maile Shimabukuro resigned from her District 22 seat at the end of the 2024 session, saying she wanted to spend more time with family and friends. Read more
David Shapiro: Supreme Court blesses sticky-fingered government
In Donald Trump’s Senate impeachment trial over the 2020 election insurrection, his attorneys argued it was more a matter for the judicial system because he’s “like any other citizen and can be tried in a court of law.” Read more
David Shapiro: Hawaii kids seek escape from grim climate future
It was poignant to see young activists and Gov. Josh Green in the governor’s ceremonial room settling a lawsuit brought by the teens asserting the state failed to safeguard their constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment. Read more
David Shapiro: Kaneshiro and Mitsunaga maybe not yet in the clear
Ghosts of O.J. Simpson are appearing following the failed federal bribery prosecution of former Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro, businessman Dennis Mitsunaga and others. Read more
David Shapiro: A political roller coaster could crash Honolulu rail
Keeping politics out of rail was the rationale for the 2011 charter amendment taking direct control of Oahu rail from the mayor and City Council and giving it to the new Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. Read more
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