Columnist

Neal Milner

Neal Milner is a former political science professor at the University of Hawaiʻi where he taught for 40 years. He is a political analyst for KITV and is a regular contributor to Hawaii Public Radio's "The Conversation." His most recent book is The Gift of Underpants. Opinions are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Civil Beat's views.
Neal Milner: It’s Tough To Be A Dog In Hawaiʻi Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Neal Milner: It’s Tough To Be A Dog In Hawaiʻi

Life in Honolulu is hard on dogs for the same reasons it’s hard on people — unaffordability, confining living conditions and limited infrastructure.

Neal Milner: The Trump Trap AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Neal Milner: The Trump Trap

Being caught in the bubble of listening only to people who share your views contributes to polarization, dehumanization and diminishing trust of others.

Neal Milner: The Governor And The Auditor Are Fighting. That’s Great Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Neal Milner: The Governor And The Auditor Are Fighting. That’s Great

Each one has a role to play in making sure Hawaiʻi accomplishes great things in an appropriate way.

Neal Milner: We Are All Victims Of The Sylvia Luke Mess Kalany Omengkar/Civil Beat/2023

Neal Milner: We Are All Victims Of The Sylvia Luke Mess

Her decision not to run for reelection doesn’t address the bigger problem — how inept the state is when it comes to corruption investigations.

Neal Milner: Social Media, Tradwives And The Manosphere Getty Images/iStockphoto

Neal Milner: Social Media, Tradwives And The Manosphere

Gender roles are a cultural issue, not just a political one. And Republicans, not Democrats are winning the culture.

Neal Milner: We Live Together Because We Have To, Not Because We Want To Courtesy: Christine Otto Zaa

Neal Milner: We Live Together Because We Have To, Not Because We Want To

In Hawaiʻi it’s the economy, not the culture that forces families to jam together in small living spaces or move away altogether.

Neal Milner: Hawaiʻi’s Latest Corruption Investigation Is More Incompetence Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Neal Milner: Hawaiʻi’s Latest Corruption Investigation Is More Incompetence

The lack of transparency and accountability is the first thing wrong with the entire investigation.

Neal Milner: ‘Corruptomania’ Is A Dangerous Thing Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Neal Milner: ‘Corruptomania’ Is A Dangerous Thing

Being quick to blame major public policy failures on corruption hides the fact that it’s most often incompetence that’s causing our problems, not ethical wrongdoing.

Neal Milner: This Battle Of The Bullies Is Laughably Absurd Kalany Omengkar/Civil Beat/2023

Neal Milner: This Battle Of The Bullies Is Laughably Absurd

Sen. Donna Kim and HGEA Director Randy Perreira each say the other is abusive. They should each look in the mirror.