Respecting this constitutional structure is especially critical in matters of war and foreign policy. Our nation cannot call itself a democracy when Congress, the “people’s branch,” is abdicating its war-making authority to the president while lives are at stake and economies are faltering.
The following editorial was originally published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Sunday, November 1st, 2026 as part of the “Raise Your Hand” column in the Insight section.
Ku’ulei Lactaoen - Kohala High School, c/o 2027
Hawaii is home to families who stay for more than the weather and beaches. They stay for the culture and community. But those local families are being squeezed by high housing costs, homelessness and a government that often fails to answer for how it spends taxpayer dollars. As governor, Josh Green is responsible for addressing these problems, and his record falls short. Even as a high school student who cannot yet vote, I know my future is on the line. Green should not receive another term because under his watch, state funds have been mismanaged, corruption scandals have shaken public trust, and urgent problems like housing have seen too little progress.
Many locals still struggle to find affordable housing, and many have continued to leave in alarmingly high numbers since Green took office in 2022. According to UHERO’s 2026 Housing Factbook, the median price of a single-family home was about $950,000 in 2025 — a price completely out of reach for households, including young families trying to buy their first home. Of course, we can't blame today's housing costs solely on the governor, but we should judge his administration on whether it has delivered meaningful change. Nearly everyone, including Green himself, agrees that Hawaii has a housing crisis, and our state needs bold, long-term solutions. But electing the same leadership again is unlikely to bring the urgency and change needed to address housing affordability and the many other challenges plaguing our state.
Beyond policy shortcomings, a major concern is the pattern of weak oversight and lack of accountability within Green’s administration. One of the clearest examples is Green’s Kauhale Initiative, ostensibly created to provide housing, services, and help for people or families experiencing homelessness. A scathing audit last month found nearly $13.7 million in payments that were unauthorized or questionable, along with problems in contracts, documentation and project monitoring. Evidently, the state failed to protect taxpayer money sufficiently. While the Green administration defended the program and said it accepted the audit’s recommendations, the problems found still show a need for stronger oversight. As the state’s chief executive, Green is ultimately responsible for failures like this, and he must be held accountable for how public money is spent. Having good intentions is not enough. The government must ensure the money put into this program is spent appropriately.
Trust in state leadership has been shaken further by the case against Green’s second-in-command, Sylvia Luke. In July 2026, prosecutors indicted Luke on bribery and falsifying campaign committee reports. Luke’s co-defendant, Ryan Yamane, was appointed by Green to serve as the Director of Human Services. An indictment is not proof of guilt, and Green is not accused of any involvement. But as governor, he bears responsibility for the leadership around him. Locals deserve transparency and reassurance that concerns within the state leadership are being addressed openly.
These are not problems locals should simply have to accept. Green should be held accountable for his administration’s failures. The scandals surrounding his administration reveal a lack of transparency and poor judgment, while his policy shortcomings demonstrate a lack of urgency. Even if the administration claims progress made through its programs, locals and residents should consider whether that progress is enough to address our state’s most pressing needs. Hawaii deserves leadership that combines good intentions with effective management, transparency, and most importantly, results. Another term should not be guaranteed for Green, and I, for one, do not believe he has earned it.
Kyle Caniedo - Kohala High School, c/o 2029
When I take trips to Oahu or drive to Kona or Hilo, I see countless people experiencing homelessness, pushing carts filled with their belongings or holding signs asking for help. It’s a distressing sight, especially for young people like me who wonder whether we will ever be able to afford life here in Hawaii.
It’s safe to say housing costs are among Hawaii's biggest problems right now. Social media is flooded with stories of local families struggling to make ends meet, young adults wondering whether they can build a career here, and residents leaving the state for a lower cost of living. Since day one, Gov. Josh Green has recognized this crisis, and he deserves another four years to continue working toward a more affordable Hawaii.
Green and his administration have worked to accelerate housing construction and expand affordable housing options for locals. His emergency proclamations have aimed to fast-track housing projects by removing red tape and reducing bottlenecks. Tens of thousands of affordable housing units are now in the pipeline, which shows real, tangible progress.
The governor has also signed multiple bills that will help create more affordable housing units by easing zoning rules, converting commercial spaces into residential units, and speeding up permitting. These policies are important steps toward increasing the housing supply. While more work remains, continuing these efforts will help more local families afford to stay in Hawaii.
On top of that, Green has pursued tax cuts for working families, which directly affect locals’ wallets. He has also taken steps to address shortages in essential services like healthcare. By signing a bill that creates a pathway for qualifying international medical school graduates to obtain licenses in Hawaii, he has expanded the pool of physicians available to ease staffing shortages and provide care to residents. These efforts show that Green is a leader willing to tackle big and small problems and to work with a broad coalition across political perspectives to find policy solutions.
Still, some voters are not convinced that Green should serve another term. One reason may be that he pushes tourism despite residents' concerns about its effects on communities and the environment. Tourism is an important part of our state’s economy, but we should balance its benefits with the need to protect our islands for future generations. The governor’s “Green Fee,” which will generate millions of dollars for conservation and climate initiatives, is one example of how his administration is working to address environmental concerns while recognizing tourism's economic importance. He is a bold yet pragmatic leader who balances the state’s economic needs with the long-term well-being of the people.
Over the last four years, the governor has proven himself a productive leader who delivers on his stated goals. I believe that if given another term, he will make further progress toward creating a more livable Hawaii, not only for my generation but also for generations to come.
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