Civil Beat Categories

Business

Honolulu’s Secret Home Buyers Must Now Reveal Their Identities Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2018

Honolulu’s Secret Home Buyers Must Now Reveal Their Identities

New federal rules aimed at cracking down on criminal activity require that shell companies paying all cash for homes report their owners.

Rushing To Mine A Sea Floor Full Of Treasure — And Unique Creatures Craig Smith/University of Hawaii

Rushing To Mine A Sea Floor Full Of Treasure — And Unique Creatures

Critics fear rules for opening a swath of ocean bed between Mexico and Hawaii won’t protect “the most pristine wilderness on the planet.”

Filmmaker Sues Hawaii: My Film Is ‘Not The History They Want Told’ Tim Chey/RiverRain Productions

Filmmaker Sues Hawaii: My Film Is ‘Not The History They Want Told’

Tim Chey alleges the state film office withheld tax grants for his movie “Islands” because it’s about the Christian conversion of a Hawaiian chiefess.

This Maui Couple’s Photo App Is An Instagram Sensation Troy Plota

This Maui Couple’s Photo App Is An Instagram Sensation

Prominent influencers are using the startup company’s program, which has 6 million downloads and counting.

Has Kakaako Gotten Too Fancy Even For IBM? Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Has Kakaako Gotten Too Fancy Even For IBM?

The company will soon depart its landmark namesake building to make way for developer offices and model condos.

2,700 Workers Strike At Popular Waikiki Hotels Cory Lum/Civil Beat

2,700 Workers Strike At Popular Waikiki Hotels

The work stoppage comes despite management agreement to subsidize worker housing.

Hotel Workers Strike In San Francisco But Stay On The Job In Hawaii AP

Hotel Workers Strike In San Francisco But Stay On The Job In Hawaii

Employees at Marriot-affiliated hotels in the islands have also authorized a walkout over wages and working coniditons.

Snuggle Up: Professional Cuddling Is Going Mainstream Aloha Cuddle Co.

Snuggle Up: Professional Cuddling Is Going Mainstream

Cuddling industry workers report making as much as $5,000 a month providing human contact to those willing to pay for it.

Can Hawaii’s Oldest Dive Bar Survive Chinatown’s Invading Hipsters? Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Can Hawaii’s Oldest Dive Bar Survive Chinatown’s Invading Hipsters?

The owner of Smith’s Union Bar in Chinatown, opened in 1935, worries his landlord won’t renew the bar’s lease.

Hawaii’s Crack Seed Shops May Be The Losers In Trump Trade Dispute Blaze Lovell/CivilBeat

Hawaii’s Crack Seed Shops May Be The Losers In Trump Trade Dispute

The iconic fruit snacks that have been enjoyed for generations were already getting hard to find. The U.S. tariff dispute with China could make it harder.