Civil Beat Staff

Olivia Peterkin

Olivia Peterkin is an intern for Civil Beat.

She graduated from the University of Missouri with degrees in Journalism and International Peace Studies in May of 2017 and being from Kalihi, graduated from Wallace Rider Farrington High School a few Mays before that.

For Olivia, being able to cover stories here at home on Oahu is a dream come true.

Before starting at Civil Beat, Olivia did reporting internships for local papers in Missouri and Tennessee where she covered community news, public health, crime and business development.

Olivia joined Civil Beat鈥檚 intern program in August 2017 and will be covering the areas of Kalihi and Waikiki as well as public health issues on the island. To contact her, email聽opeterkin@civilbeat.org.

Finding Companions For Kupuna In Waikiki Olivia Peterkin/Civil Beat

Finding Companions For Kupuna In Waikiki

A volunteer program operating since 1987 is聽鈥渇ulfilling actual practical needs as well as needs of the heart.鈥

Volunteers Keep One of Makiki’s Best-Kept Secrets Afloat Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Volunteers Keep One of Makiki’s Best-Kept Secrets Afloat

The state wants to convert Hawaii’s only volunteer-run public library into a state-run facility, but it’s waiting on a lease agreement from the city.

These Hawaii Seniors Hang Out In A Warehouse To Spice Up Their Lives Anthony Quintano/Civil Beat

These Hawaii Seniors Hang Out In A Warehouse To Spice Up Their Lives

“Where else can you discuss your prostate problems?鈥 asks the founder of the Hawaii Men’s Shed, a place to socialize and build stuff.

A Champion For Kalihi’s Kids Cory Lum/Civil Beat

A Champion For Kalihi’s Kids

Vailima Watson has spent almost 30 years mentoring Kalihi’s youth as a tennis coach, health advocate and community leader.

Why Hawaii Trends Toward Large And Extended Families Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Why Hawaii Trends Toward Large And Extended Families

Cultural and economic factors keep extended relatives under the same roof in Hawaii, which leads the nation in prevalence of multigenerational homes.

Native Hawaiian Health Task Force Isn’t Giving Up The Fight Olivia Peterkin/Civil Beat

Native Hawaiian Health Task Force Isn’t Giving Up The Fight

After racing to craft legislation in just five days last session, the group’s members want to continue addressing ethnic health disparities.

These Kalihi Streets Are A Big Hazard For Bike Riders Lila Lee/Civil Beat

These Kalihi Streets Are A Big Hazard For Bike Riders

Honolulu DTS has plans for improving safety in the area, including repaving North King Street and adding shared-use lanes.

Kauai Powerlines Are Killing 1,800 Seabirds A Year U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Kauai Powerlines Are Killing 1,800 Seabirds A Year

An analysis by the聽U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service predicts that all colonies of two endangered bird species on the island could vanish as early as 2050.

Study: Living In Hawaii Can Make You Less Prejudiced Olivia Peterkin/Civil Beat

Study: Living In Hawaii Can Make You Less Prejudiced

A new UH study found that after nine months of living on Oahu, mainland students’ views on race shifted noticeably.