Senior Reporter

Matthew Leonard

Matthew Leonard is a senior reporter for Civil Beat, focusing on data journalism.

He joined the newsroom after more than a decade working in upstate New York and in Nashville. As the Investigations and Special Projects Editor for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Matthew supervised investigations into , and social and environmental justice issues across New York state. He was heavily involved in overhauling the organization’s coverage of public safety issues to be more equitable and inclusive.

Born in Sydney, Matthew worked for Australia’s national broadcaster and for several Indigenous media and cultural organizations, including in remote homeland communities. He spent five years at Radio New Zealand where he was able to pursue his interest in the cultures of the Pacific. A major project completed during his time in Aotearoa/New Zealand documented .Ìý

Matthew originally studied music composition and performance before making his way into public broadcasting, and continues to have a strong interest in music, sound design and audio production. He is a keen ocean swimmer, amateur musician and cooks a mean chili.Ìý

Follow Matthew on Twitter or email him at mleonard@civilbeat.org. Contact him for how to share news tips securely.

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±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾±’s Illegal Fireworks Laws Aren’t Working. Is That About To Change? David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾±’s Illegal Fireworks Laws Aren’t Working. Is That About To Change?

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Changes to legislation proposed Monday would make it easier for prosecutors to convict those charged with fireworks-related crimes.

Data Dive: Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders Suffer For Lack Of Health Insurance Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Data Dive: Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders Suffer For Lack Of Health Insurance

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Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults are more likely to turn to traditional or cultural practices as a substitute for conventional medicine. Their health outcomes remain poor compared to white people.

That Cop Pulling You Over May Soon Be A State Deputy Sheriff Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2019

That Cop Pulling You Over May Soon Be A State Deputy Sheriff

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Traditionally the sheriffs have done little traffic enforcement, but that may change on Oʻahu highways.

Data Dive: Records Show Steep Rise In Foreign Ownership Of ±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾± Farmland Courtesy: Mahi Pono

Data Dive: Records Show Steep Rise In Foreign Ownership Of ±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾± Farmland

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One country is behind an increase in foreign ownership of ±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾±’s dwindling agricultural land holdings. Hint: It’s not China.

Honolulu Plane Crash Exposes State’s Fragile Air Cargo Infrastructure Hawaii News Now/2024

Honolulu Plane Crash Exposes State’s Fragile Air Cargo Infrastructure

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Tuesday’s fatal accident is the most serious incident in a turbulent three years at Kamaka Air. It comes less than two years after another Kamaka Cessna crashed on MolokaÊ»i.

Data Dive: ±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾± Deportation Cases Hit Quarter-Century High David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Data Dive: ±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾± Deportation Cases Hit Quarter-Century High

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The backlog of cases in U.S. immigration courts has tripled since 2017 and is at record levels in ±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾±. Most involve immigrants from China.

Fix It! These Park Lights Went Out Years Ago. Is It Safer Without Them? David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Fix It! These Park Lights Went Out Years Ago. Is It Safer Without Them?

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Kauluwela Community Park in Honolulu has been without lights since March 2021. The city says local residents don’t want them back.

±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾± Has Money To Police Agriculture Crime, But No Timeline To Start Thomas Heaton/Civil Beat/2022

±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾± Has Money To Police Agriculture Crime, But No Timeline To Start

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Despite the high-profile killing of an Oʻahu rancher, local law enforcement don’t receive any specialized training in agricultural crime.

Data Dive: Hawaii Spends More On Takeout Than Any Other State Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2020

Data Dive: Hawaii Spends More On Takeout Than Any Other State

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Hawaii residents spend just under 10% of their average income on takeout