And so it begins. The candidates have filed their papers. making them official entrants in this year’s races for the Maui County Council and the state Legislature.

Not surprisingly, three » Full Story

Concerned about roadside litter, a reader suggests making refuse collection fees a part of the property tax. The assumption is that roadside litter is created by householders who don’t want to pay the » Full Story

Each Sunday, The Maui News publishes “Council Meets,” a listing of agendas posted by the various Maui County Council committees. Although written in austere semi-legalese, the column should be must re » Full Story

During a nearly one-hour interview with The Maui News last week, Laura Thielen made a statement that should gladden the hearts of everyone who has thought the state Department of Land and Natural Reso » Full Story

Parents shouldn’t jump to conclusions when the school attended by their children fails to meet proficiency standards. Those standards measure only one thing — test results.

The No Child Le » Full Story

Maui’s in a drought and everyone should be doing what they can to conserve water. They’d better, or the county might be forced to follow the lead of Las Vegas and environs.

The Southern Ne » Full Story

It was no surprise to learn the Maui County Council’s “bad boy” — Wayne Nishiki would probably like that appellation — was running for the council. He could have run for any number of residency seats » Full Story

One of the more fascinating aspects of writing and publishing editorials is watching the reaction. Individuals will read one thing and decide it says another, depending on personal bias.

I » Full Story

Elected politicians are a noisy bunch. It goes with getting re-elected. Rep. Bob Nakasone is an exception — quiet to the point of nearly disappearing.

It was very unusual for Nakasone to s » Full Story

Gov. Linda Lingle is an astute politician, but she apparently allowed personal feelings to get in the way of leadership when she signed a Stop Rail Now petition on grounds the dispute over a light-rai » Full Story