Development

The area was the focus of decades of political and legal efforts to preserve sensitive habitat that includes 5 miles of coastline.

Council members say that their housing efforts already address the state's desire to create greater density and do more to encourage locals to stay in Hawaii.

Honolulu is learning that people have a hard time parting with their cars. Developers know it and are paying millions to provide parking.

Opponents say the pool is a waste of water.

Honolulu is considering how to promote deconstruction and re-use of the materials from buildings that are being torn down, an idea that has already caught on in other cities.

The Windward Planning Commission granted petitions for a contested case hearing over a developer's plans to build 225 units along a remote strip of coastline.

An audit, spurred by a Civil Beat investigation, is leading to policy changes at the Department of Accounting and General Services.

The Hawaii Senate unanimously passed a bill to turn over much of West Maui to the Hawaii Community Development Authority, despite growing opposition to the idea.

The debate is similar to what's happening in other parts of the country that are also struggling to build affordable housing.

Mayor Richard Bissen asked state lawmakers to pick up $75 million of the cost of the required matching funds for federal Public Assistance aid.