Digital Democracy

Here Comes The Judge? Not So Fast, Says State’s Appellate Court Hawaiʻi State Judiciary

Here Comes The Judge? Not So Fast, Says State’s Appellate Court

The Senate wants to add a seventh position to the ICA. Court officials say it’s not needed.

Hawaiʻi Income Tax Cuts: Lawmakers Chip Away At Promised Savings Chad Blair/Civil Beat/2026

Hawaiʻi Income Tax Cuts: Lawmakers Chip Away At Promised Savings

House Republican Minority Floor Leader Diamond Garcia called the Democrats’ proposal a “slap in the face” to struggling working families.

The Most Influential People At The State Capitol Are Out In The Hallway Blaze Lovell/Civil Beat/2025

The Most Influential People At The State Capitol Are Out In The Hallway

Top lobbyists often have more influence than the lawmakers themselves who pass or reject their bills.

People In Crisis Still Keep Their Guns. Can Hawaiʻi Change That? Anthony Quintano/Civil Beat/2018

People In Crisis Still Keep Their Guns. Can Hawaiʻi Change That?

Lawmakers want to raise awareness about the state’s red flag law, which has been virtually unused in the last six years — despite a significant increase in gun deaths.

Aloha By Zippy’s Stadium? Oʻahu Venue Naming Rights Could Be At Play David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

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.

Inspectors Let ‘Lightly Infested’ Goods Into State. Lawmakers Want It To End Thomas Heaton/Civil Beat/2023

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.

Hawaiʻi Can’t Control ICE. Here’s What Lawmakers Want To Do Instead Bryan Cox/ICE via AP/2017

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.

The Success Of Hawaiʻi’s Food And Farm Bills Could Depend On One Thing Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

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.

Is Now The Time For Reforming Hawaiʻi Schools? Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Is Now The Time For Reforming Hawaiʻi Schools?

A controversial bill would cut top superintendent positions from the DOE and increase community input in schools. Some families say the change is long overdue.

Beth Fukumoto: Making Voting Harder To Address A Bogus Threat David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Beth Fukumoto: Making Voting Harder To Address A Bogus Threat

The true aim of new laws to make voting more secure is to limit participation in democracy.