Guest Contributor

Ben Lowenthal

Ben Lowenthal was a Civil Beat columnist from April 2023 to June 2024. He grew up on Maui and earned his undergraduate degree studying journalism at San Francisco State University and his law degree at the University of Kansas. He is a deputy public defender on Maui practicing criminal defense in trial and appellate courts. He previously wrote “The State of Aloha” column at The Maui News. He is a deputy public defender practicing criminal defense in trial and appellate courts. He also runs .

Ben Lowenthal: Turning Chronic Unlicensed Drivers Into Felons Is A Bad Idea Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Ben Lowenthal: Turning Chronic Unlicensed Drivers Into Felons Is A Bad Idea

The governor should veto a misguided measure legislators passed in reaction to a teen’s tragic death.

Ben Lowenthal: Hawaii Just Won’t Give Up Its Harsh Civil Asset Forfeiture Laws Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Ben Lowenthal: Hawaii Just Won’t Give Up Its Harsh Civil Asset Forfeiture Laws

Police can seize property without a court process if they suspect it is connected to a crime or poses a danger.

Ben Lowenthal: County Fair’s Demise Is Another Loss For Maui Ben Lowenthal/Civil Beat/2017

Ben Lowenthal: County Fair’s Demise Is Another Loss For Maui

For more than a century, the annual event brought together the island’s diverse communities and was a source of cherished memories for generations of residents.

Ben Lowenthal: Hawaii’s Top Court Says A Fetus Is Not A Person. Alabama Could Not Disagree More Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Ben Lowenthal: Hawaii’s Top Court Says A Fetus Is Not A Person. Alabama Could Not Disagree More

The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that a fetus is not a person and cannot be a crime victim in 2005, a decision that carries extra weight in a post-Roe world.

Ben Lowenthal: Courts Should Not Give Prosecutors A Pass For Using Tainted Evidence Getty Images/iStockphoto

Ben Lowenthal: Courts Should Not Give Prosecutors A Pass For Using Tainted Evidence

Failed prosecutions are no reason to roll back protections against unconstitutional search and seizure.

Ben Lowenthal: The Surprising Persistence Of Conservatism In True Blue Hawaii Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021

Ben Lowenthal: The Surprising Persistence Of Conservatism In True Blue Hawaii

A look at the state’s history shows that homegrown support for Donald Trump and extreme right-wing organizations didn’t materialize overnight.

Ben Lowenthal: We Need Housing, But Not At The Expense Of Local Culture And History David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Ben Lowenthal: We Need Housing, But Not At The Expense Of Local Culture And History

Plans for converting Honolulu’s Bethel Block into affordable housing won’t make a dent in the shortage any time soon.

Ben Lowenthal: Many States Are Moving To Shorten Probation Periods. Hawaii Isn’t One Of Them Provided: Alcohol Monitoring Systems Inc.

Ben Lowenthal: Many States Are Moving To Shorten Probation Periods. Hawaii Isn’t One Of Them

Lengthy probation periods can be detrimental to families and community and to chances of reintegrating offenders.