John Pritchett/Civil Beat/2023
John Pritchett: Tidal Wave
More than 65 lawsuits have been filed in state court on Maui against Hawaiian Electric, Maui County, the state and a number of other defendants over the Maui wildfires. Legal experts say the current situation may well be unmanageable for the state’s judicial system.
John Pritchett/Civil Beat/2023
John Pritchett: Kabuki Dance
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green and House Speaker Scott Saiki traveled to Japan this week to drum up some much-needed business back home.
John Pritchett/Civil Beat/2023
John Pritchett: Boiling Point
President Joe Biden is dealing with a myriad of problems. Can he survive and be re-elected?
John Pritchett/Civil Beat/2023
John Pritchett: Game Over
Hawaii has halted a $1.86 million modernization of its business registration system due to defects, the second scrapped computer upgrade this year.
John Pritchett/Civil Beat/2023
John Pritchett: Stirring The Pot
Concerned about negative media reports, some on the rail authority board — including its chair, Colleen Hanabusa — want to spend more on public relations.
John Pritchett/Civil Beat/2023
John Pritchett: Permit Me
Bribery, political influence, people skills and other factors help determine an application’s speed at the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting.
John Pritchett/Civil Beat/2023
John Pritchett: Sticky Situation
The mayor of Maui County has told the EPA it can seal Lahaina’s toxic ash with a
soil stabilization product, even though some warn of its potential public health consequences.
John Pritchett/Civil Beat/2023
John Pritchett: There’s No Place Like Seoul
Five members of the Honolulu City Council and a staffer are traveling to South Korea this week as part of a Sister City relationship. Their hosts are picking up part of the tab.
John Pritchett/Civil Beat/2023
John Pritchett: State Of The Art
A rebrand of the Hawaii State Art Museum has turned HiSAM into Capitol Modern. But hardly anyone likes the change, which came from a well-paid consultant working with museum executives.
John Pritchett/Civil Beat/2023
John Pritchett: Gag Order
The Honolulu rail authority has proposed new rules that critics say could limit the free speech rights of some board members.