Advocates are again raising concerns about how the economic crisis is affecting mental-health programs in the Islands, but this time are eying Hawai'i State Hospital, which faces a $1.7 million budget shortfall and could see layoffs in the coming fiscal year.

Six of seven members of a Hawaiian sovereignty group facing felony burglary charges after last year's takeover of 'Iolani Palace walked out of court yesterday with smiles on their faces.

PU'UNENE, Maui — The Maui Humane Society has come under fire in the wake of board resignations, the sudden departure of a respected animal control supervisor and an incident in which a pet dog was mistakenly euthanized at the Pu'unene animal shelter.