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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(Courtesy: Jeta Tang)
Jeta: What’s Left Of The Artists In Kakaʻako
How HART’s rail is displacing the creative community.