Hawaiʻi State Government

John Hill: The State Placed A Foster Teen With A Young, Single Man — And Failed To Tell Her Mom Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

John Hill: The State Placed A Foster Teen With A Young, Single Man — And Failed To Tell Her Mom

Sarah Coultas only found out about the placement by chance two and a half months later, despite a state regulation requiring parents to be informed.

State Buildings, UH Campuses May Provide Period Products For Free Gabriela Cervantes/Civil Beat/2024

State Buildings, UH Campuses May Provide Period Products For Free

Supporters say it would be an important step toward gender equity since too many people aren’t able to buy menstrual products.

Thousands of Hawaii School Employees To Get Up To 25% In Pandemic Hazard Pay Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021

Thousands of Hawaii School Employees To Get Up To 25% In Pandemic Hazard Pay

HGEA estimated that the arbitration decision could cost the state as much as $150 million.

A Big Bill From The Pandemic Is Coming Due: Hazard Pay For State And County Workers Ronen Zilberman/Civil Beat/2021

A Big Bill From The Pandemic Is Coming Due: Hazard Pay For State And County Workers

Expected settlements could put a significant dent into county budgets. The state, meanwhile, has yet to enter into negotiations with unions over the issue.

Lawsuit Alleges Two State Entities Improperly Hired Their Leaders Behind Closed Doors Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2015

Lawsuit Alleges Two State Entities Improperly Hired Their Leaders Behind Closed Doors

The Public First Law Center alleges that the Agribusiness Development Corp. and Defender Council violated Hawaii’s Sunshine Law.

Where Are The Workers? Last Month 27% Of State Government Civil Service Positions Were Vacant Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Where Are The Workers? Last Month 27% Of State Government Civil Service Positions Were Vacant

Traditionally Hawaii residents eagerly applied for safe government jobs but particularly difficult jobs now have vacancy rates of 40%.

Hawaii Prisons Need More Thorough Internal Investigations, Commission Says Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2019

Hawaii Prisons Need More Thorough Internal Investigations, Commission Says

The state corrections commission encountered an array of problems during facility tours, including some serious safety violations.

A Cautionary Tale For Preserving Hawaii History In A Digital Age Kuʻu Kauanoe/Civil Beat/2022

A Cautionary Tale For Preserving Hawaii History In A Digital Age

The state archivist had to go to great lengths to obtain all records from ex-Gov. David Ige’s administration after a staffer initially refused to share some.

Hawaii’s Business Records Agency Makes It Hard To Find Information On People Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Hawaii’s Business Records Agency Makes It Hard To Find Information On People

The agency used to do the search itself for free if you knew to call and ask. Now, you have to pay $1,000 a month for a subscription to look up a person’s name on the public database.

Green: New Budget Helps Maui But Doesn’t Neglect Housing, Mental Health David Croxford

Green: New Budget Helps Maui But Doesn’t Neglect Housing, Mental Health

The governor revives the idea of a “green fee” levied on tourists that would help offset the impact of climate change.