Essay

Scott Nago’s Bumpy Ride As Hawaiʻi’s Chief Election Officer Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Scott Nago’s Bumpy Ride As Hawaiʻi’s Chief Election Officer

He’s held the job longer than anyone else in state history and been at the center of controversy nearly every election cycle.

HPD Needs A New Chief And A New Culture Cory Lum/Civil Beat

HPD Needs A New Chief And A New Culture

The Honolulu Police Commission has a chance to put in place a chief who will bring about fundamental change, not just maintain a status quo that isn’t working.  

Honolulu Police Chief Search: It’s Deja Vu All Over Again David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

Honolulu Police Chief Search: It’s Deja Vu All Over Again

The Honolulu Police Commission can and should do some things better this time around.

Suit Challenges How Legislators Turn Blank Bills Into Mid-Session Surprises David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Suit Challenges How Legislators Turn Blank Bills Into Mid-Session Surprises

League of Women Voters targets the use of short-form measures that start out as empty shells.

Campaign Reform Is Forcing Lawmakers To Raise More Cash In Non-Election Years April Estrellon/Civil Beat/2025

Campaign Reform Is Forcing Lawmakers To Raise More Cash In Non-Election Years

Joint fundraisers in odd-numbered years are more prevalent than they used to be.

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green Is Walking A Tightrope With The Trump Administration Jacquelyn Martin/AP/2025

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green Is Walking A Tightrope With The Trump Administration

As Trump’s domestic military moves and threats play out in DC and LA, the need to balance legal challenges and relationship-building isn’t lost on Hawaiʻi.

Why Hawaiʻi’s Senators Raise So Much Money, And Give So Much Away Courtesy of Sen. Mazie Hirono

Why Hawaiʻi’s Senators Raise So Much Money, And Give So Much Away

In Congress, it’s not enough to keep getting yourself elected and reelected. Leadership PACs are a must.

Hawaiʻi Elections Officials Tackle Big Island Ballot Discrepancies Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Hawaiʻi Elections Officials Tackle Big Island Ballot Discrepancies

After finding major discrepancies in how many Kauaʻi ballots were cast, a state commission is looking at the Big Island numbers.