Honolulu Civil Beat

‘Tough Times’: Honolulu Mayor Wants To Cut Vacant Jobs To Save $50 Million After years of budget increases as the city emerged from the pandemic, this year the mayor proposed a lower budget than last year’s.

After years of budget increases as the city emerged from the pandemic, this year the mayor proposed a lower budget than last year’s.

Embezzler Or Victim? Native Hawaiian Contractor’s Family Fights Back In various court filings, Christopher Dawson's sister is pushing back against the DOJ narrative that he swindled a federal program meant to help his people.

In various court filings, Christopher Dawson's sister is pushing back against the DOJ narrative that he swindled a federal program meant to help his people.

The Stakes Have Never Been Higher For Maui Planning Department The third Maui County planning director in three years plans to prioritize post-wildfire rebuilding and tackle complex local issues.

The third Maui County planning director in three years plans to prioritize post-wildfire rebuilding and tackle complex local issues.

Word Row: March 3 Five letters. Six chances. A whole lot of fun.

Five letters. Six chances. A whole lot of fun.

Aloha By Zippy’s Stadium? Oʻahu Venue Naming Rights Could Be At Play To raise revenue for its redevelopment, officials of the Hālawa arena want to join the legions of mainland sports venues named for corporate sponsors.

To raise revenue for its redevelopment, officials of the Hālawa arena want to join the legions of mainland sports venues named for corporate sponsors.

Inspectors Let ‘Lightly Infested’ Goods Into State. Lawmakers Want It To End Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole is probing the department for evidence of what he believes to be a 'shadow policy' of favoring industries the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity is in charge of regulating.

Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole is probing the department for evidence of what he believes to be a 'shadow policy' of favoring industries the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity is in charge of regulating.

Word Flower: March 2 This one will keep your brain buzzing for a little while.

This one will keep your brain buzzing for a little while.

The TMT project is back under consideration for federal support, but it must complete a final design phase without taxpayer assistance.

Kidney Nonprofit Charged Taxpayers ‘Outrageous’ Prices For Covid Tests Following Civil Beat’s reporting, the nonprofit is enlisting outside help to review its books.  

Following Civil Beat’s reporting, the nonprofit is enlisting outside help to review its books.  

Makana Eyre: We Deserve To Know Who’s Challenging Kamehameha Schools’ Policy It seems only fair that the process should unfold with full transparency.

It seems only fair that the process should unfold with full transparency.

Hawaiʻi Attorney Accused Of Lying During Kealoha Trial Could Face Discipline Kevin Sumida could face punishment ranging from a private admonition to suspension. 

Kevin Sumida could face punishment ranging from a private admonition to suspension. 

Civil Cafe: 2026 Legislative Update The second installment of Civil Beat's 3-part legislative event series.

Get the recording/join us for this legislative panel discussion with updates on which key bills remain alive in Hawaiʻi. Free tickets! 🎟️

The Sunday Mini: March 1 See how quickly you can fill in this mini crossword puzzle.

See how quickly you can fill in this mini crossword puzzle.

Will Caron: Illiberation Politics, policy and public affairs as seen through the eyes of our political cartoonist.

Politics, policy and public affairs as seen through the eyes of our political cartoonist.

Suddenly Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Aren’t Talking Much About Those Big Tax Cuts The prospect of having to backpedal on promised tax breaks isn't going over well in an election year.

The prospect of having to backpedal on promised tax breaks isn't going over well in an election year.

The Sunshine Blog: This Is Why The Public Has A Hard Time Watchdogging Cops Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawai‘i.

Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawai‘i.

Guardrails Needed If LNG Is To Work In Hawaiʻi If liquefied natural gas proponents believe their case is strong, they should be willing to meet these standards.

If liquefied natural gas proponents believe their case is strong, they should be willing to meet these standards.

What Pushes Locals Out Of Hawaiʻi? Low Wages The Honolulu Charter Commission has a once-in-a-decade opportunity to address the county’s crisis.

The Honolulu Charter Commission has a once-in-a-decade opportunity to address the county’s crisis.

Opinion: Ethics In AI Isn’t Just A Slogan Anymore The Anthropic fight matters here because it reminds us what’s at stake and why Hawaiʻi needs to implement solid, ethical AI policy.

The Anthropic fight matters here because it reminds us what’s at stake and why Hawaiʻi needs to implement solid, ethical AI policy.

Are you a new or aspiring farmer in Hawaiʻi? Civil Beat wants to hear from farmers and ranchers at the beginning of their journeys to grow local food. We'd love to hear your story, whether you’ve been farming or ranching for a few years and you're stepping out on your own, or you’re just getting started in your search for land. Accessing capital, dealing with razor-thin margins, finding a market for what you grow, fighting invasive pests and dealing with volatile weather are all part of what makes farming and ranching especially difficult in Hawaiʻi. That’s not to mention the tallest hurdles: access to water and land. Tell us more about the hurdles you've encountered. (We won't share your name without your permission.)

Are you a new or aspiring farmer in Hawaiʻi? It's a hard job here in Hawaiʻi. We'd love to hear your story.

UH Cyber Hack Exposed Social Security Numbers Of Up To 1.15 Million The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center used driver's license and voter data to recruit study subjects.

The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center used driver's license and voter data to recruit study subjects.

Civil Cafe: 2026 Legislative Update The second installment of Civil Beat's 3-part legislative event series.

Get the recording/join us for this legislative panel discussion with updates on which key bills remain alive in Hawaiʻi. Free tickets! 🎟️

The Friday Crossword: Olympic Gold Did you catch any of the 2026 Winter Olympics? Test your knowledge.

Did you catch any of the 2026 Winter Olympics? Test your knowledge.

Hawaiʻi Can’t Control ICE. Here’s What Lawmakers Want To Do Instead Unlike in 2025, a potpourri of bills to protect immigrants and limit local cooperation with ICE are advancing through the Legislature.

Unlike in 2025, a potpourri of bills to protect immigrants and limit local cooperation with ICE are advancing through the Legislature.

DOE Sexual Abuse Case From 1970s Could Cost Taxpayers $400K Hawaiʻi schools have faced multiple lawsuits in recent years involving decades-old incidents, after lawmakers temporarily lifted the statute of limitations around the sexual abuse of minors.

Hawaiʻi schools have faced multiple lawsuits in recent years involving decades-old incidents, after lawmakers temporarily lifted the statute of limitations around the sexual abuse of minors.

Photo Essay: Learning How To Survive A Rip Current In Hawaiʻi This former lifeguard helped launch an ocean safety campaign in Australia. Can his tips for escaping deadly rip currents save lives here?

This former lifeguard helped launch an ocean safety campaign in Australia. Can his tips for escaping deadly rip currents save lives here?

King Tides And Sea Level Rise Eating Away At Pearl Harbor Bike Path Riders on the popular trail can run into flooding, forcing them to detour to more hazardous roadways.

Riders on the popular trail can run into flooding, forcing them to detour to more hazardous roadways.

Legislative Caucuses Can Help Make The Difference In Getting Bills Passed Lawmakers combine forces to push measures helping women, kids and working families.

Lawmakers combine forces to push measures helping women, kids and working families.

Word Row: Feb. 26 This one's literally a puzzle.

This one's literally a puzzle.

The Success Of Hawaiʻi’s Food And Farm Bills Could Depend On One Thing As Hawaiʻi continues to pinch pennies and fill holes created by federal cuts, lawmakers may have to choose between bills designed to bolster local food or fight invasive species.

As Hawaiʻi continues to pinch pennies and fill holes created by federal cuts, lawmakers may have to choose between bills designed to bolster local food or fight invasive species.