Civil Beat Categories

Legislature 2024

The State Of Hawaii Keeps Snatching Up Land From Former Agriculture Companies Screenshot/City and County of Honolulu

The State Of Hawaii Keeps Snatching Up Land From Former Agriculture Companies

Senate Ways And Means Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz is the driving force behind one proposed deal that just won’t go away.

Gov. Green Won’t Appoint Leeward Coast Senator Before Primary Election Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Gov. Green Won’t Appoint Leeward Coast Senator Before Primary Election

Senate President Ron Kouchi believes the governor isn’t following the law.

Hawaii Governor Says Media Operations Should Be Protected During Emergencies Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Hawaii Governor Says Media Operations Should Be Protected During Emergencies

The governor is also axing $500 million from the state budget to balance the books and fund priorities like housing.

Hawaii Governor Signs Bill To Create New State Fire Marshal Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Hawaii Governor Signs Bill To Create New State Fire Marshal

Numerous other bills have been signed into law by Gov. Josh Green in the last few days. And Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi updated reporters on a housing project.

First Amendment Groups Oppose Veto Of Bill To Limit Governor’s Power To Cut Off Electronic Media In Emergencies Anthony Quintano/Civil Beat/2018

First Amendment Groups Oppose Veto Of Bill To Limit Governor’s Power To Cut Off Electronic Media In Emergencies

Hawaii’s governor warns of the need to respond to possible violence generated by social media in times of crisis. But journalists and attorneys fear violation of constitutionally protected free speech.

Schools Are Struggling To Meet The Demand For Hawaiian Immersion Programs Megan Tagami/Civil Beat/2024

Schools Are Struggling To Meet The Demand For Hawaiian Immersion Programs

Roughly a quarter of Hawaiian immersion teachers are unlicensed, and schools need more educators as the programs grow in popularity.

Green Plans To Veto Bills To Curb Emergency Powers And Shore Up State’s Rainy Day Fund David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Green Plans To Veto Bills To Curb Emergency Powers And Shore Up State’s Rainy Day Fund

The governor says his intent to veto list prioritizes addressing the state’s high cost of living, affordable housing and Maui wildfires.

Native Hawaiian Midwives Are Asking A Judge To Uphold Their Birth Traditions AP Photo/Jennifer Sinco Kelleher/2024

Native Hawaiian Midwives Are Asking A Judge To Uphold Their Birth Traditions

They are contending state law aimed at ensuring the safety of women jeopardizes those long-held practices.

North Shore Homeowners Face Fines Of Nearly $1 Million For Fighting Erosion Illegally David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

North Shore Homeowners Face Fines Of Nearly $1 Million For Fighting Erosion Illegally

As the shoreline shrinks, some residents do everything they can to protect their homes — even breaking the law.

Gov. Josh Green Gives Final Approval To Income Tax Break He Hopes Will Make Hawaii Affordable David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Gov. Josh Green Gives Final Approval To Income Tax Break He Hopes Will Make Hawaii Affordable

But others worry the tax cut, which will cost the state billions of dollars, will mean deep cuts to needed state programs.