Civil Beat Categories

Legislature 2016

Protests Don’t Overcome East Maui Water Diversion Bill Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Protests Don’t Overcome East Maui Water Diversion Bill

Legislators hand former Big Five sugar company Alexander & Baldwin water for its lands in Central Maui

Ige Vetoes Experimental Drug Bill Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Ige Vetoes Experimental Drug Bill

Hawaii governor issues his first veto on a measure he considers unnecessary at best, a compromise to consumer protections at worst.

Hawaii News Media Access Bill Dies KITV

Hawaii News Media Access Bill Dies

Measure would have allowed journalists to cover hazards like lava flows with government supervision.

Kona Land Resolution Gets Last-Minute Hearing Courtesy: The Nature Conservancy

Kona Land Resolution Gets Last-Minute Hearing

Hawaii senators are proposing a resolution for the state to try to acquire Kapua lands on the Big Island.

OK To Smoke In Cars With Kids Flickr: Kyle Hovey

OK To Smoke In Cars With Kids

The Hawaii Legislature fails to advance a measure that would have prohibited the act.

Survival And Defeat: Hawaii Lawmakers Winnow Bills Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Survival And Defeat: Hawaii Lawmakers Winnow Bills

Calmer than past sessions but still chaotic, House and Senate members worked to agree on legislation before the deadline.

A Review Board For Police Killings: One Tepid Step Toward Reform Cory Lum/Civil Beat

A Review Board For Police Killings: One Tepid Step Toward Reform

A bill to create an independent review board for police killings and in-custody deaths moved closer to becoming law.

Maui Water-Rights Bill Clears House Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat

Maui Water-Rights Bill Clears House

With 10 ‘no’ votes, Hawaii lawmakers passed legislation to let Alexander & Baldwin continue diverting stream water.

House, Senate Agree To $13.7 Billion State Spending Plan Anthony Quintano/Civil Beat

House, Senate Agree To $13.7 Billion State Spending Plan

Hawaii lawmakers provided funding for the Hawaii State Hospital, Hawaiian Home Lands, unfunded liabilities and University of Hawaii athletics.

The Hawaii House: Where Factions Determine Power And Influence Cory Lum/Civil Beat

The Hawaii House: Where Factions Determine Power And Influence

Shifting alliances within the House can determine which bills — and political careers — thrive or die on the vine.