Essay

US Territories Have A Voice In Congress But No Vote. Here’s Why Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2017

US Territories Have A Voice In Congress But No Vote. Here’s Why

Some 3.6 million residents of U.S. territories can vote in presidential primaries but not the general election because of where they live.

The Elections Commission Is Struggling To Elect A New Leader Screenshot/2026

The Elections Commission Is Struggling To Elect A New Leader

Hawaiʻi’s most dysfunctional board is still dogged by “election integrity” conspiracies. Can new leadership find a way forward?

Hawaiʻi Primary Shows There’s Still Hunger For Public Service Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Hawaiʻi Primary Shows There’s Still Hunger For Public Service

High-profile corruption cases and voter apathy have not crimped the desire to run for office.

Should An American Feel Guilty Rooting Against The US In The World Cup? AP Photo/Steven Senne

Should An American Feel Guilty Rooting Against The US In The World Cup?

Success or failure on the pitch isn’t likely to bring about meaningful political change.

Charter Commission Still Undecided On The Mayor Hiring The Police Chief Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Charter Commission Still Undecided On The Mayor Hiring The Police Chief

The Honolulu Charter Commission has vetted hundreds of proposals. There are still a few on the table.

The Roots Of Hawaiʻi’s Public Arts Scene Courtesy: World Wide Walls

The Roots Of Hawaiʻi’s Public Arts Scene

How one artist’s kuleana colored the walls in Hawaiʻi.

Hawaiʻi Democrats: Trump Has Given The Party An Opportunity To Win Chad Blair/Civil Beat/2026

Hawaiʻi Democrats: Trump Has Given The Party An Opportunity To Win

Thanks to the struggles of an unpopular White House, top Dems believe political winds are pushing them toward huge victories this fall.

Honolulu Needs Wastewater Compliance, Not Blind Spending David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

Honolulu Needs Wastewater Compliance, Not Blind Spending

The city must choose a path that can satisfy federal law, the consent decree and environmental protection requirements.

Hawaiʻi Republicans: We Need The ‘Trump People’ To Turn Out The Vote Chad Blair/Civil Beat/2026

Hawaiʻi Republicans: We Need The ‘Trump People’ To Turn Out The Vote

The minority party hopes to capitalize on recent gains in the Hawaiʻi Legislature, but the biggest elephant in the room is Trump.

AI Data Centers Are The New Plantations Unless We Build Them Differently Getty Images/iStockphoto/KanawatTH

AI Data Centers Are The New Plantations Unless We Build Them Differently

AI can support livelihoods, prosperity and culture, but only if island communities have a real say in how it is built and governed.