Hawaiʻi State Government

Damning Report Unlikely To Affect Honolulu Ethics Director’s Job Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2016

Damning Report Unlikely To Affect Honolulu Ethics Director’s Job

Jan Yamane was deeply unpopular as the acting state auditor, according to a state investigative report, but she’s a hit with the Honolulu Ethics Commission.

An ‘Explosive’ Report On The Former State Auditor Describes An Office In Turmoil Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2017

An ‘Explosive’ Report On The Former State Auditor Describes An Office In Turmoil

It took more than six years, a lawsuit and two appeals to the Hawaii Supreme Court to force the AG’s office to release results of the investigation.

Government Workers Wrongly Seize A Child From Parents. Should They Be Made To Pay? Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Government Workers Wrongly Seize A Child From Parents. Should They Be Made To Pay?

The principle of qualified immunity protects workers in their official actions. But as a recent Hawaii case shows, not always.

She Took Her Fight For Her Grandson Public. A Hawaii Judge Said She Went Too Far Courtesy: Deborah Goodwin

She Took Her Fight For Her Grandson Public. A Hawaii Judge Said She Went Too Far

Big Island resident Deborah Goodwin says she had no choice but to speak to a reporter and file a lawsuit about her case because the confidential system had treated her unfairly. It backfired.

A Judge Took Away These Kids For Good — Until A Higher Court Found A Mistake Courtesy: Shandon Cabinatan and Mahlonna Mawae-Callison

A Judge Took Away These Kids For Good — Until A Higher Court Found A Mistake

An appeals court found that parents in three cases should have had court-appointed lawyers throughout. How many other parents were denied this right?

Effort To Transfer State Agricultural Land Survives Latest Hurdle Thomas Heaton/Civil Beat/2022

Effort To Transfer State Agricultural Land Survives Latest Hurdle

Legislative amendments would introduce new requirements for the land swap.

Hawaii House Proposes 48 New Positions To Beef Up Child Welfare Services Hawaii News Now/2021

Hawaii House Proposes 48 New Positions To Beef Up Child Welfare Services

Public outcry over the disappearance of Isabella Kalua and concerns about CWS’ role in the case of a Big Island fifth grader raised concerns about the agency.

Ige: Twice Monthly Furloughs Not Necessary This Year Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2020

Ige: Twice Monthly Furloughs Not Necessary This Year

But there is a need for some “labor savings,” although the governor declined to be more specific.

Ige Seeks $30 Million To Repair Capitol Reflecting Pools Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Ige Seeks $30 Million To Repair Capitol Reflecting Pools

Some lawmakers questioned the project, with one calling the maintenance costs a “nightmare.”

Hawaii Governor Weighs Income Tax Increases On Wealthy Residents Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2019

Hawaii Governor Weighs Income Tax Increases On Wealthy Residents

Ige’s chief of staff also suggests upping the “barrel tax” on fossil fuels to help balance the budget.