Essay

Sunshine Scorecard: One Big Bill, A Couple Small Things, The Rest Fizzled Chad Blair/Civil Beat/2026

Sunshine Scorecard: One Big Bill, A Couple Small Things, The Rest Fizzled

Hawaiʻi lawmakers still can’t bring themselves to do anything that changes how they do business or makes it easier for other people to run for office.

13 Years Of Fighting Pesticide Use In Hawaiʻi. Another Year Of Nothing Sophie Cocke/Civil Beat/2013

13 Years Of Fighting Pesticide Use In Hawaiʻi. Another Year Of Nothing

Another failed legislative session means we continue to suffer from inadequate data and a lack of help for families and communities.

Passing Bills Is One Thing. Implementing Them Is A Different Story Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Passing Bills Is One Thing. Implementing Them Is A Different Story

The Legislature does a poor job following up on what lawmakers want and whether it actually happens.

Now Is The Time To Scuttle The Jones Act Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2019

Now Is The Time To Scuttle The Jones Act

The reality for everyone in Hawaiʻi is this shipping law stifles competition and inflates prices.

How The Legislature Is Violating A 187-Year-Old Constitutional Right David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

How The Legislature Is Violating A 187-Year-Old Constitutional Right

The Legislature has always acted quickly on petitions. Why is it delaying this one? Especially in the face of strong citizen support.

Hawai‘i Might Just Slay Citizens United — And You Can Help Nick Grube/Civil Beat/2019

Hawai‘i Might Just Slay Citizens United — And You Can Help

We have the authority — and the responsibility — to get rid of dark money.

The Department Of Justice Is Suing States For Sensitive Voter Data Kalany Omengkar/Civil Beat/2024

The Department Of Justice Is Suing States For Sensitive Voter Data

An election law scholar explains why federal efforts are facing resistance.

How Hawaiʻi Residents Can Benefit From FEMA Programs Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

How Hawaiʻi Residents Can Benefit From FEMA Programs

If President Trump issues a disaster declaration for the March Oʻahu floods, then federal money will flow to Hawaiʻi. Here are some specifics on how to take advantage of various programs.

The House Finance Committee Is Now Key To Pay-To-Play Reform Screenshot/2026

The House Finance Committee Is Now Key To Pay-To-Play Reform

Rep. Chris Todd has the power to send a strong bill to conference, giving lawmakers something meaningful to work with.

That Dark Cloud Over The Legislature? This Bill Would Make It Even Darker David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

That Dark Cloud Over The Legislature? This Bill Would Make It Even Darker

The University of Hawaiʻi is one of the most important institutions in the state. The public needs to know more, not less, about who’s running it.