Civil Beat Staff
John Hill
John Hill is the Investigations Editor at ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ. He meandered back and forth across the U.S. for two-plus decades as a newspaper reporter — with stops in Northern California, New York City, New Orleans, Albuquerque and back to Northern California — before abandoning the mainland altogether to come to Civil Beat in July 2016.
In 2005, he won the George Polk Award for documenting abuses of the California pension and disability systems, most notably by the top brass of the California Highway Patrol. In New Orleans, he was part of a team of reporters that did a year-long series on race relations honored for public service by the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Headliner Awards.
In 2009, John left journalism to work for a California Senate office that investigated shortcomings in state government. His reports focused on the state’s failure to prevent elder abuse and monitor deaths in residential drug treatment programs, among other topics, and led to legislation and administrative reforms.
In 2014, the Senate eliminated his office and he worked for a year-and-a-half as press secretary for the California State Controller.
John recognizes that the best investigations start with tips, and encourages Civil Beat readers to contact him with stories of skullduggery, malfeasance and garden-variety ineptitude.
Honolulu Fireworks Accident Is A Fatal Turn In A Long-Running Problem
A 2023 Civil Beat investigation found that authorities often failed to track the origins of illegal caches or build bigger legal cases.
Hawaii Is Allowing Registered Sex Offender To Keep Treating Patients
California revoked Edward Hsu’s physical therapy license based on a Hawaii conviction. In Hawaii, both his physical therapy and acupuncture licenses remain in good standing.
John Hill: She Begged The State To Save Her Grandkids. Instead, One Is Dead
The state’s Child Welfare Services has not explained its actions — or lack of action — in the case of a 3-year-old killed in June. Her grandmother says she warned the state that the girl and her siblings were being starved.
John Hill: An Abused Child’s Hidden Death
Some child abuse cases garner publicity and trigger outrage. But because of the state’s secrecy, others never even come to light.
John Hill: The State Keeps Bleeding Money For Failing To Protect Vulnerable Children
A close look at a new $600,000 settlement by the Department of Human Services reveals the child welfare bureaucracy’s shortcomings. It’s just the latest big award.
Case Against Hawaii Attorney Exposes Inner Workings Of Illicit Marshallese Adoption Business
A state investigation alleges Laurie Loomis used an account she failed to disclose to the state bar to collect adoption fees and make payments to birth mothers, a facilitator and herself.
Lawyer In Illicit Marshallese Adoption Scheme Now Accused Of Paying Texas Inmates For Babies
Jody Hall previously arranged for pregnant women to fly from the Marshall Islands to the U.S. through Honolulu in violation of international law. It’s unclear if this new investigation will examine those actions as well as the jail accusations.
John Hill: Judge Hides Records In Child’s Death Because We Might Get The Wrong Idea
Judge Matthew Viola admitted that the public has an interest in how the state and Family Court placed Isabella Kalua with the parents accused of killing her.
Lawsuit Accuses State Of Negligence In Placing Boy In Household Where Geanna Bradley Died
The boy lived for five years in the Wahiawa home of Thomas and Brandy Blas and like Geanna suffered severe abuse and neglect, the complaint says.