Shootz! Celebrations At The Capitol, The Beach And The Newsroom

Some major accomplishments are noted, including the birth of another monk seal on Kaimana Beach.

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Some major accomplishments are noted, including the birth of another monk seal on Kaimana Beach.

Honolulu Civil Beat political editor Chad Blair, left, raises a glass to celebrate the staff being named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Monday, May 6, 2024, in Honolulu. Blair believes Civil Beat is the first Hawaii news organization to receive recognition from the Pulitzer Prize jury. Civil Beat was honored for covering the fires on Maui. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024)
Honolulu Civil Beat political editor Chad Blair, left, raises a glass to celebrate the staff being named a finalist for the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News on Monday in recognition of its coverage of the Maui wildfires. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024)
Governor Josh Green signed into law SB2919 on Friday May 3rd, 2024 which addresses the issue of illegal short-term rentals. SB 2919 aims to alleviate Hawaiʻi's housing crisis and increase housing levels throughout the state. This bill provides counties with home rule authority to see that vacation rentals are not allowed in communities that do not want them. It was instigated b y Lahaina Strong a grass roots movement headed by Paele Kiakona who spoke to those witnesses gathered to see the bill signed into law. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024)
A landmark bill giving counties vast new powers to regulate short-term rental units is signed May 3 by Gov. Josh Green. Anticipating Green’s action, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen the day before proposed legislation to eliminate more than 7,000 vacation rentals — more than half of the island’s stock — by Jan. 1, 2026. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024)
On May 7th, 2024, Honolulu Civil Beat conducted the Civil Beat Café moderated by Political Editor Chad Blair to close out the legislative season. Guests included Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa, Rep.Vice Speaker Greggor Ilagan and Rep Gene Ward (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024)
Lawmakers discuss the just-completed legislative session during a Civil Beat Cafe at the Capitol on Tuesday. From left are Civil Beat Political Editor Chad Blair, Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa, Rep. Greggor Ilagan and Rep. Gene Ward. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024)
Kaiwi, has done it again! On May 1st, 2024, the Monk Seal affectionately named Kaiwi, gave birth to her 6th pup on Kaimana Beach and is now resting in a DLNR protected area there. The area is close to the Kaimana Beach Hotel who gave us access to a room so that we could photograph the pair without disturbing them. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024)
Kaiwi the monk seal has done it again! She’s seen here with her sixth pup born on Kaimana Beach in a protected area one week after the birth. The Kaimana Beach Hotel gave Civil Beat access to a room so we could photograph the pair Wednesday without disturbing them. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024)
A View of the HART Rail project progress at the Daniel K Inouye International Airport. This location is one of the locations that should have been completed by February 2024 but still shows signs of needing more work before it is completed. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024)
Work on the Skyline rail project continues Wednesday along Ala Auana Street at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024)
A beach goer walks around a fence for seawall removal at a Sunset Beach house Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Pupukea. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024)
A beachgoer walks around a fence erected to allow for the removal of an unauthorized seawall near a Sunset Beach house Tuesday in Pupukea on Oahu’s North Shore. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024)
Allison Maertens hugs her mother Elynne Chung after presenting her with a lei before she is sworn onto the Board of Education Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Honolulu. Maertens said, “It’s my turn to be here for my mom since she came to all my sports and events.” (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024)
Allison Maertens hugs her mother, Elynne Chung, after presenting her with a lei before the retired principal was sworn in as a new member of the Hawaii Board of Education on Thursday. “It’s my turn to be here for my mom since she came to all my sports and events,” Maertens said. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024)
Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi welcomes Kalaheo High School senior Ahryanna McGuirk with a hug as the Board of Education student representative Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Honolulu. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024)
Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi welcomes Kalaheo High School senior Ahryanna McGuirk with a hug as the Board of Education student representative Thursday in Honolulu. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024)
A principal’s job never stops. Former Waipahu High School principal turned Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi straightens up before a group photo of newly inducted Board of Education members Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Honolulu. Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recketnwald, from left, Wesley Lo, Chair Roy Takumi, Elynne Chung and student representative Kalāheo High School senior Ahryanna McGuirk. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024)
A principal’s work is never finished. Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi, the former Waipahu High School principal, straightens up before a group photo of newly inducted Board of Education members Thursday. From left behind him are Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, Wesley Lo, BOE Chair Roy Takumi, Elynne Chung and student representative Ahryanna McGuirk. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024)

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