Civil Beat Reporting Fellow

Natanya Friedheim

Natanya Friedheim was a reporter at Civil Beat. She covered city government, general assignments and produces video content.
Natanya joined Civil Beat as an intern in August 2016 after completing an internship at Pacific Business News. Born and raised on Oahu, Natanya moved to Oakland, California to attend Mills College.聽As a student, Natanya taught civics classes at a public middle school in Oakland and worked in a preschool classroom.聽Upon completing her B.A. in literary and cultural studies with a minor in government, she returned to Oahu to settle down and start her career in journalism.
In her free time, Natanya is at the beach, waist deep in mud at a lo’i kalo or makes goofy videos for her social media platforms.
Veggies Really Are  Cheaper In Chinatown — If You Know How To Shop Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Veggies Really Are Cheaper In Chinatown — If You Know How To Shop

The secret to bargain prices: An alternative network of local suppliers, low overhead, selling out daily and less fussiness about the perfect-shaped fruit or vegetable.

Cracking Down On People Who Abandon Cars Is Harder Than You Think Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Cracking Down On People Who Abandon Cars Is Harder Than You Think

A Honolulu City Council member wants to levy a $1,000 fine for people who illegally junk their cars.

Trevor Ozawa May Become Honolulu City Council Chair Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Trevor Ozawa May Become Honolulu City Council Chair

UPDATED: A proposed resolution would give the top spot to the East Honolulu councilman, who was narrowly re-elected in November.

Medicaid Dollars Will Help Hawaii鈥檚 Homeless Find Housing Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Medicaid Dollars Will Help Hawaii鈥檚 Homeless Find Housing

Federal money will be available to help certain Medicaid recipients with the search for housing, but not to pay rent.

Honolulu Meets Federal Demands On Rail Project Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2018

Honolulu Meets Federal Demands On Rail Project

City and rail officials satisfied federal requirements that they spend $44 million in local funds on the project, pursue a public-private partnership and update their financial recovery plan.

Ige Releases $17.3 Million For ‘Ohana Zones’ On Oahu And Big Island Natanya Freidheim/Civil Beat

Ige Releases $17.3 Million For ‘Ohana Zones’ On Oahu And Big Island

Counties and nonprofits will use the money to build permanent聽housing for the homeless and create more shelter space.

Imam Tries To Build An Oahu Congregation For A Spinoff Islamic Sect Ronan

Imam Tries To Build An Oahu Congregation For A Spinoff Islamic Sect

Matiullah Joyia聽wants to open a mosque, but for now he’s looking for followers at swap meets, Starbucks and a women’s jail.

Private Guards Help Keep The Homeless From Camping In Parks Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Private Guards Help Keep The Homeless From Camping In Parks

Calling it a success, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is extending a program in which the guards shuttle between nine parks.

City Ethics Commission Is Investigating Far Fewer Cases Than 2 Years Ago Cory Lum/Civil Beat

City Ethics Commission Is Investigating Far Fewer Cases Than 2 Years Ago

Director Jan Yamane, who took over from Chuck Totto, is emphasizing training over investigation in an effort to change the culture.