Hawaii civic leaders hoped the Ala Wai Canal would bring economic prosperity and stop the spread of disease they thought was coming from the fields and wetlands. In the 1920s, no one gave much thought to what the destruction of the ecosystem might mean for a future filled with a million people.
GET IN-DEPTH
REPORTING ON HAWAII’S BIGGEST ISSUES
If we don't do it, who will?
Every election has the potential to shape the future of Hawaiʻi.
Civil Beat provides the independent, in-depth reporting voters need to make informed decisions — not just campaign headlines, but rigorous reporting on candidates, policies and the issues that matter most.
Your support ensures this essential public service remains free and accessible to every voter, helping strengthen our democracy and hold those seeking power accountable.