Legislature 2025

The Hawaiʻi State Capitol Could Be Closed For Years To Fix Aging Systems PF Bentley/Civil Beat/2014

The Hawaiʻi State Capitol Could Be Closed For Years To Fix Aging Systems

The repair bill could top $100 million, and that doesn’t include temporarily relocating lawmakers and state leadership.

It’s Your Money: Sex Harassment Claim Against Judge Could Cost Taxpayers $90K David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

It’s Your Money: Sex Harassment Claim Against Judge Could Cost Taxpayers $90K

It’s the second time the longtime employee has sued a Kauaʻi court official for sexual harassment.

Should Hawai‘i Families Be Allowed To Opt Out Of School Vaccines? Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021

Should Hawai‘i Families Be Allowed To Opt Out Of School Vaccines?

Roughly 1 in 5 students in Hawaiʻi were missing required vaccines last year. Doctors say that’s a growing health threat, but efforts to toughen state law are drawing intense criticism from parents opposed to vaccines.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Seek Tougher Fireworks Enforcement, But No Statewide Ban David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Seek Tougher Fireworks Enforcement, But No Statewide Ban

The measures represent the biggest steps by lawmakers to crack down on illegal fireworks in more than two decades.

Danny De Gracia: We Should All Get Behind These Keiki Caucus Bills PF Bentley/Civil Beat/2014

Danny De Gracia: We Should All Get Behind These Keiki Caucus Bills

The caucus is a torch-bearer for Hawaiʻi youth issues. This year’s proposals are some of the most important yet.

Hawaiʻi’s Crackdown On Lobbyists Has Come A Long Way. Is It Far Enough? Chad Blair/Civil Beat/2024

Hawaiʻi’s Crackdown On Lobbyists Has Come A Long Way. Is It Far Enough?

Advocates have been asking for more disclosure and tougher penalties on lobbying violations for decades. They’re finally starting to get some of it.

No Income Tax For Working Class? Unions Float Radical Proposal David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

No Income Tax For Working Class? Unions Float Radical Proposal

Lawmakers will consider a bill to increase the state excise tax and wipe out the state income tax for most residents.

Kirstin Downey: The Hawaiʻi State Archives — One Leak Away From Catastrophe Kirstin Downey/Civil Beat/2025

Kirstin Downey: The Hawaiʻi State Archives — One Leak Away From Catastrophe

Clearly, the archives needs a new home. But experts worry it could end up too far from an important research center.

Hopes For Legal Marijuana In Hawaiʻi Dashed As Politicos Flip-Flop Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Hopes For Legal Marijuana In Hawaiʻi Dashed As Politicos Flip-Flop

Just two days after two legislative committees said yes, legalization gets punted to next year.