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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.