Columnist

Lee Cataluna

Lee Cataluna has been telling Hawaii stories for 25 years and has worked in local radio, television and newspapers.

She was born on Maui and raised on the neighbor islands as her family moved frequently for her father’s job in sugar. She went to nine different schools before graduating from Baldwin High School, so if you think she was your classmate, you might be right.

She received an undergraduate degree from the University of the Pacific and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of California-Riverside.

Her writing outside of journalism includes Folks You Meet in Longs, which has been in print since 2005 and was named one of the 50 Essential Books About Hawaii by Honolulu Magazine. She has been writing for the stage for more than 20 years and her plays have been produced and workshopped around Hawaii, in California and New York. Her recent work includes “Home of the Brave,” a play about the lives of children from military families, which she wrote after interviewing hundreds of kids, teachers, parents, principals, active duty and veterans from all branches of the military.

Lee Cataluna: Our Strange Fixation With Ni‘ihau Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2019

Lee Cataluna: Our Strange Fixation With Ni‘ihau

Why aren’t we similarly obsessed with other “forbidden” parts of Hawaiʻi — such as those fenced off by billionaires?

Lee Cataluna: Are Voters Apathetic? Maybe They’re Disgusted David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Lee Cataluna: Are Voters Apathetic? Maybe They’re Disgusted

Hawaiʻi voters know the lauhala-and-plastic-egg silliness isn’t about protecting their rights at the ballot box. It’s about protecting politicians.

Lee Cataluna: Sometimes The Best Campaign Ad Is No Campaign Ad Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Lee Cataluna: Sometimes The Best Campaign Ad Is No Campaign Ad

Natural disasters can be perilous for politicians. In Kauaʻi, Derek Kawakami is using Lowell to his advantage, without making it seem that way.

Lee Cataluna: Who’s the Boss? Chad Blair/Civil Beat/2026

Lee Cataluna: Who’s the Boss?

With everybody out of town (or facing possible indictment) Hawai’i gets a random governor.

Lee Cataluna: Biki Is A Waste Of Money. Get Over It Lee Cataluna/Civil Beat/2026

Lee Cataluna: Biki Is A Waste Of Money. Get Over It

Biki represented an ideal Honolulu that hasn’t worked in the real Honolulu.

Lee Cataluna: It’s Not What You Say, It’s How Often We Have To Hear It Screenshot/2026

Lee Cataluna: It’s Not What You Say, It’s How Often We Have To Hear It

And, in the case of those relentless Derek Kawakami advertising spots, who’s paying for it.

Lee Cataluna: When The Pono Posse Goes Quiet Christina Jedra/Civil Beat/2026

Lee Cataluna: When The Pono Posse Goes Quiet

Does public disdain only apply to outsiders? What about locals who break our rules?

Lee Cataluna: Wheelies? Really? Laws Don’t Work Without Enforcement Getty Images/iStockphoto

Lee Cataluna: Wheelies? Really? Laws Don’t Work Without Enforcement

Dangerous bike stunts and other public safety issues are examples of restrictions that policymakers try to crack down on.

Lee Cataluna: Gov. Green Still Can’t Leave The State Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Lee Cataluna: Gov. Green Still Can’t Leave The State

By swapping an un-elected bureaucrat for scandal-tainted Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, Green has not solved the problem of leaving the leadership of the state to the political equivalent of a substitute teacher.