Honolulu

Honolulu Says Its Tow Contractor Overbilled. Taxpayers Will Pay The Price Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Honolulu Says Its Tow Contractor Overbilled. Taxpayers Will Pay The Price

Honolulu demanded its towing contractor, accused of overcharging, issue refunds to drivers. When the company said no, taxpayers were stuck with the bill.

More Housing Without Kicking Anyone Out? It’s Possible, Apparently Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

More Housing Without Kicking Anyone Out? It’s Possible, Apparently

New owner of Honolulu building is making unusual plan to upgrade building but stabilize rents for occupied units.

Denby Fawcett: Can Oʻahu Spend Millions On Pandas And Also Upgrade The Zoo? Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Denby Fawcett: Can Oʻahu Spend Millions On Pandas And Also Upgrade The Zoo?

Giant pandas could be a big draw for the Honolulu Zoo. But would they distract from the mission of protecting species endemic to Hawaiʻi?

Hurricane Lowell Updates: Hawaiʻi Weather, Outages, Map + More Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Hurricane Lowell Updates: Hawaiʻi Weather, Outages, Map + More

Power outages hit most of Kauaʻi and schools on Kaua‘i, Niʻihau and O‘ahu closed Tuesday as Lowell passed Hawaiʻi.

Storms Shut Down Elevators Indefinitely For Hundreds In Honolulu Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Storms Shut Down Elevators Indefinitely For Hundreds In Honolulu

This year’s storms have been disastrous for some Oʻahu residents immobilized by their building’s broken elevators. Restoration could take weeks or months. 

Honolulu’s Checkbook: Who’s Getting Paid And How Much Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Honolulu’s Checkbook: Who’s Getting Paid And How Much

The expenses include more than $3,000 from the Climate Change and Resiliency Fund spent at the arcade and sports bar Dave and Buster’s.

Covid Audit: Millions Meant To Support Oʻahu Residents Went Elsewhere Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Covid Audit: Millions Meant To Support Oʻahu Residents Went Elsewhere

Honolulu’s “ambitious” plans had to shift so the money could be spent in time, Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s managing director said.

Hawaiʻi Knew Neglected Streams Could Wreak Havoc For 60 Years Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Hawaiʻi Knew Neglected Streams Could Wreak Havoc For 60 Years

Little was done to tame some of the waterways and flood areas that caused the most damage earlier this year.

Panda Diplomacy: A Mayor’s Quest To Bring Pandas From China To Hawaiʻi City and County of Honolulu

Panda Diplomacy: A Mayor’s Quest To Bring Pandas From China To Hawaiʻi

Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s efforts to court China included a gift of lei, a letter to President Xi Jinping and a trip to China with the CEO of Panda Express.

Lawsuit: Honolulu’s Inaction Led To Deadly Waiʻanae Rampage In 2024  Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Lawsuit: Honolulu’s Inaction Led To Deadly Waiʻanae Rampage In 2024 

Victims’ family members say the city failed to address a neighbor’s dangerous and illegal activity before he killed three people.