Civil Beat Categories

Let The Sunshine In

The Sunshine Blog: ‘Corporate Vampires Continue To Suck Us Dry’ Tim Huynh/Civil Beat/2016

The Sunshine Blog: ‘Corporate Vampires Continue To Suck Us Dry’

Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawaii.

The Island Effect: Hawaii’s Angle In Every Presidential Election John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

The Island Effect: Hawaii’s Angle In Every Presidential Election

The Aloha State has played roles — sometimes big ones — in national campaigns since 1960.

Will Caron: Enter If You Dare Will Caron/Civil Beat/2024

Will Caron: Enter If You Dare

The Honolulu Police Commission recently discussed public concerns that holding its meetings behind tight security inside the police department might intimidate citizens who have a beef with a cop from showing up to complain. Commissioners opined people should not be scared and that moving the meeting would be inconvenient for the police chief and staff.

The Sunshine Blog: The Party Switch Everyone Saw Coming A Long Time Ago AP Photo/Alex Brandon/2024

The Sunshine Blog: The Party Switch Everyone Saw Coming A Long Time Ago

Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawaii.

Is The Sunshine Law Working For Oahu’s Neighborhood Boards? Ku'u Kauanoe/Civil Beat/2019

Is The Sunshine Law Working For Oahu’s Neighborhood Boards?

Neighborhood board members are frustrated at restrictions on what they can talk about at their meetings.

Why Blank Votes Count As No Votes For Hawaii Statewide Ballot Measures Hawaii Office of Elections

Why Blank Votes Count As No Votes For Hawaii Statewide Ballot Measures

Supporters of two proposed constitutional amendments are worried they will fail because of the requirement.

It’s Time To Vote! Bring Along Our Candidate Q&As Kalany Omengkar/Civil Beat/2024

It’s Time To Vote! Bring Along Our Candidate Q&As

When you sit down to vote, check out the 70% of candidates in the general election who answered our questions on key issues.

John Hill: She Begged The State To Save Her Grandkids. Instead, One Is Dead Cory Lum/Civil Beat

John Hill: She Begged The State To Save Her Grandkids. Instead, One Is Dead

The state’s Child Welfare Services has not explained its actions — or lack of action — in the case of a 3-year-old killed in June. Her grandmother says she warned the state that the girl and her siblings were being starved.

The Sunshine Blog: Crossing The Thin Blue Line David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

The Sunshine Blog: Crossing The Thin Blue Line

Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawaii.

Hawaii Legislature Rarely Uses Its Own Process To Investigate Lawmakers Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Hawaii Legislature Rarely Uses Its Own Process To Investigate Lawmakers

The dormant House Select Standards of Conduct Committee raises questions about whether self-policing really works or if an independent agency is needed.