Honolulu

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.

Supreme Court Blocks Honolulu Council Chair From Seeking Third Term Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Supreme Court Blocks Honolulu Council Chair From Seeking Third Term

The court ruled candidates Trevor Ozawa and Tara Malia Gregory should be placed on the ballot this fall. Tommy Waters is not allowed to run this time.

Low-Income Seniors Left Stranded After Lala Floods Building Elevator Matthew Leonard/Civil Beat/2026

Low-Income Seniors Left Stranded After Lala Floods Building Elevator

A multi-story apartment building for seniors was hit by flooding that wiped out its only elevator. There is no timeline for when it will be back in operation.

Honolulu And Dole Sued By Residents Over Negligence In Kona Low Floods Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Honolulu And Dole Sued By Residents Over Negligence In Kona Low Floods

They allege an unkempt stream and inadequate drainage from Lake Wilson caused the flooding of their homes.

Supreme Court To Shape One Of Hawaiʻi’s Hottest Political Races Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Supreme Court To Shape One Of Hawaiʻi’s Hottest Political Races

For a third time, Tommy Waters and Trevor Ozawa are in court fighting over the East Honolulu city council seat.

Developers Want City’s OK To Build Big. Here’s How They Sweeten The Deal Screenshot/R.M. Towill Corporation

Developers Want City’s OK To Build Big. Here’s How They Sweeten The Deal

When developers propose big new projects, Honolulu asks them for community benefits in return. Some residents think the city could ask for more.

Ban Taxpayer-Funded Mailers During Elections, Ethics Chief Says Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Ban Taxpayer-Funded Mailers During Elections, Ethics Chief Says

The Honolulu ethics director says elected officials should not send printed newsletters to constituents within 60 days of elections.

Kidney Nonprofit’s Taxpayer-Funded Bus Is Collecting Dust Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Kidney Nonprofit’s Taxpayer-Funded Bus Is Collecting Dust

The Kidney Foundation of Hawaiʻi’s mobile care clinic was never put into service for kidney patients, according to the nonprofit’s CEO.

Jeta: What’s Left Of The Artists In Kakaʻako (Courtesy: Jeta Tang)

Jeta: What’s Left Of The Artists In Kakaʻako

How HART’s rail is displacing the creative community.