Honolulu Civil Beat
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Hawaii's award-winning investigative journalism. Pulitzer finalist. Send tips to 📧news@civilbeat.org
Climate change might not be a top priority for voters, but keeping quiet about it may backfire.
‘Climate Hushing’ Has Swept The Democratic Party. New Polling Suggests It’s A Mistake
Climate change might not be a top priority for voters, but keeping quiet about it may backfire.
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Kirill Basin was charged with two counts of terroristic threatening following an incident at Keawakapu Beach. Bail was set at $1 million.
Longshot Congressional Candidate Arrested After Maui Beach Altercation
Kirill Basin was charged with two counts of terroristic threatening following an incident at Keawakapu Beach. Bail was set at $1 million.
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The admission about terminated clean energy grants emerged in recent court filings, confirming what many already suspected.
Trump Administration Lawyers Admit Hawaiʻi Funding Cuts Were Partisan
The admission about terminated clean energy grants emerged in recent court filings, confirming what many already suspected.
civilbeat.org
The previous signal timing put turning vehicles on a potential collision path with pedestrians at a busy Honolulu intersection. State engineers took action.
We Reported On A Dangerous Crosswalk. State DOT Fixed It!
The previous signal timing put turning vehicles on a potential collision path with pedestrians at a busy Honolulu intersection. State engineers took action.
civilbeat.org
Future Progress has a history of supporting Democratic candidates, but has yet to disclose it's donors.
Keohokalole Derides Dark Money. A New Super PAC Is Backing Him
Future Progress has a history of supporting Democratic candidates, but has yet to disclose it's donors.
civilbeat.org
Like so many of the problems that teachers must cope with, the root of problem lies at home.
Opinion: School Phone Ban Is A Good Idea, But The Problem Runs Deeper
Like so many of the problems that teachers must cope with, the root of problem lies at home.
civilbeat.org
The two most recent proposals to tax empty homes in Honolulu have each failed to advance by just one vote.
Empty Homes Tax: Some Like The Idea. Oʻahu Politicians Won’t Hear Of It
The two most recent proposals to tax empty homes in Honolulu have each failed to advance by just one vote.
civilbeat.org
Can you come up with about three dozen words from just seven letters?
Word Flower: Aug. 3
Can you come up with about three dozen words from just seven letters?
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Other political action committees are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on candidates, too, but their financial efforts fall far short of the Carpenters Union.
Big Money In Hawaiʻi Politics — The Carpenters Union Is Crushing Everyone
Other political action committees are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on candidates, too, but their financial efforts fall far short of the Carpenters Union.
civilbeat.org
Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawai‘i.
The Sunshine Blog: Get Ready, Honolulu Voters, 20 Questions Coming Your Way
Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawai‘i.
civilbeat.org
The only truly documented thing we know for sure is that most people vote Democratic if they vote at all. Not much news there.
Opinion: There’s So Much We Don’t Know About Hawaiʻi Politics
The only truly documented thing we know for sure is that most people vote Democratic if they vote at all. Not much news there.
civilbeat.org
Hawaiʻi is now at the very bottom when it comes to business rankings. Here's what to do about that.
More Bureaucracy Is Not The Answer To A Struggling Economy
Hawaiʻi is now at the very bottom when it comes to business rankings. Here's what to do about that.
civilbeat.org
Politics, policy and public affairs as seen through the eyes of our political cartoonist.
Will Caron: Troubled Waters
Politics, policy and public affairs as seen through the eyes of our political cartoonist.
civilbeat.org
The perfect game for a perfect Sunday.
The Sunday Mini: Aug. 2
The perfect game for a perfect Sunday.
civilbeat.org
The decision follows a Circuit Court ruling stating the council chair could not seek a third term. But another legal challenge may be coming.
City Clerk: Votes For Tommy Waters Won’t Be Counted
The decision follows a Circuit Court ruling stating the council chair could not seek a third term. But another legal challenge may be coming.
civilbeat.org
Rules that once helped protect historic and cultural places from development are being cast aside as political leaders seek to fast-track their pet projects.
Opinion: Hawaiʻi’s Historic Sites Are At Risk As Regulations Crumble
Rules that once helped protect historic and cultural places from development are being cast aside as political leaders seek to fast-track their pet projects.
civilbeat.org
The search comes as the office fights a lawsuit from its current chief executive.
OHA Is Looking For A New CEO Amid Legal Battle
The search comes as the office fights a lawsuit from its current chief executive.
civilbeat.org
USDA moves leave customers who use SNAP with less access to food, and mean that stores can't buy as much product from the local farmers who supply them.
Federal Government Abruptly Cut These Hawaiʻi Markets From Food Stamps Program
USDA moves leave customers who use SNAP with less access to food, and mean that stores can't buy as much product from the local farmers who supply them.
civilbeat.org
We could tell you who said this but then it would be way too easy.
Quotable: An Unforgettable Movie Line
We could tell you who said this but then it would be way too easy.
civilbeat.org
The legislation would close a government contractor political contribution loophole.
Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Demand Special Session Following Bribery Indictments
The legislation would close a government contractor political contribution loophole.
civilbeat.org
Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, ex-state Rep. Ryan Yamane and two other state officials appeared before a judge.
Hawaiʻi Bribery Scandal: Defendants Plead Not Guilty
Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, ex-state Rep. Ryan Yamane and two other state officials appeared before a judge.
civilbeat.org
After years of research and planning, Puakō residents' efforts to create a model for the state using a low-pressure sewer system are finally gaining momentum.
A Viable Cesspool Alternative Emerges On Hawaiʻi’s Coasts
After years of research and planning, Puakō residents' efforts to create a model for the state using a low-pressure sewer system are finally gaining momentum.
civilbeat.org
Average Oʻahu home electric bills are up $60 since June 2025.
High Oil Prices Hammer HECO Customers. Here’s Why
Average Oʻahu home electric bills are up $60 since June 2025.
civilbeat.org
When you start asking questions, you might be surprised how many answers trace back to Hawaiʻi.
Olin Lagon: The First Word The World’s Phones Say Is Aloha
When you start asking questions, you might be surprised how many answers trace back to Hawaiʻi.
civilbeat.org
For some Thai and Laotian farmers, language barriers and immigration status stand in the way of seeking help they need after the Kona lows.
As Flood Aid Trickles Out For North Shore, Southeast Asian Farmers Are Left Behind
For some Thai and Laotian farmers, language barriers and immigration status stand in the way of seeking help they need after the Kona lows.
civilbeat.org
Our six-letter version of this popular word game.
Word Row: July 30
Our six-letter version of this popular word game.
civilbeat.org
Sina Pili avoided trial by accepting a plea deal earlier this spring. That means the public may never know key details about how she was able to keep working with children even as police were investigating her for the death of her daughter.
Ex-Social Worker Gets 10 Years In Prison For Daughter’s Death
Sina Pili avoided trial by accepting a plea deal earlier this spring. That means the public may never know key details about how she was able to keep working with children even as police were investigating her for the death of her daughter.
civilbeat.org
She found life in Silicon Valley tech unfulfilling, moved to Hawaiʻi, embraced her art and today launches a new column for Civil Beat.
Jeta: The Artist They Told Me Not To Be
She found life in Silicon Valley tech unfulfilling, moved to Hawaiʻi, embraced her art and today launches a new column for Civil Beat.
civilbeat.org
Kahi Pacarro has mounted an aggressive campaign against the low key Rep. Mark Hashem in the District 19 Democratic primary.
Beach Cleanup Activist Challenges Longtime Incumbent In East Oʻahu
Kahi Pacarro has mounted an aggressive campaign against the low key Rep. Mark Hashem in the District 19 Democratic primary.
civilbeat.org
Users can now wager on when indicted Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke may resign on the prediction market app Kalshi, which is not covered by Hawaiʻi's gambling law.
Betting On Hawaiʻi Politics Is Legal Despite State’s Gambling Ban
Users can now wager on when indicted Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke may resign on the prediction market app Kalshi, which is not covered by Hawaiʻi's gambling law.
civilbeat.org