Contributor

Allan Parachini

Allan Parachini is Civil Beat’s Kauai columnist. Indulging a passion he first developed 35 years ago, he makes furniture in Kilauea, on the island’s North Shore. He is represented by the Halelea and Black Pearl Galleries on Kauai.

But before furniture, he had two previous careers. From 1965 to 1991, he was a reporter for newspapers and wire services, primarily in New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. He was a medical writer for the Chicago Sun-Times and the Los Angeles Times, where he worked for 13 years. From 1991 until 2010, he held headed public affairs operations at the ACLU of Southern California, the California Community Foundation and the Los Angeles Superior Court.

Allan is a graduate of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication and held a fellowship in drug abuse reporting at the Columbia University School of Journalism. He was an adjunct instructor in public relations, reporting and news writing at Northwestern University, Occidental College, DePaul University, the University of Southern California and Cal State Los Angeles.

He’s a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, PEN America, the Furniture Society and the Urban Salvaged and Reclaimed Woods Network. He serves on the board of the nonprofit Hawaii Forest Industry Association. His wife, Gina Lobaco, is a fundraiser for The Nature Conservancy.

His furniture emphasizes native Hawaiian woods, usually combined with upcycled materials from items like forklift pallets and shipping crates.

He’s interested in stories that illustrate, if only in a small way, challenges—political, social and other—the island faces and what events today may imply about Kauai’s future.

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Kauai: Tourists Keep Coming To Queen’s Bath Despite The Deadly Danger Allan Parachini/Civil Beat

Kauai: Tourists Keep Coming To Queen’s Bath Despite The Deadly Danger

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The county and a community association try to discourage visitors, especially during the wettest months, but tour books point the way.

Kauai: Zuckerberg Could Still Absorb Tiny Parcels Into His Estate Allan Parachini/Civil Beat

Kauai: Zuckerberg Could Still Absorb Tiny Parcels Into His Estate

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The Facebook founder said he would no longer try to acquire “kuleana” parcels held by families for generations on Kauai’s North Shore, but now they’re being auctioned off.

Kauai: Wash Off Those Invasive Species After A Hike Or Backcountry Drive Allan Parachini/Civil Beat

Kauai: Wash Off Those Invasive Species After A Hike Or Backcountry Drive

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A few precautions can prevent the spread of undesirable plants and critters, ecotourism operators are told. But the advice applies to everyone.

Kauai: Tiny Radio Station Spreads Its Show Islandwide — And Beyond Allan Parachini/Civil Beat

Kauai: Tiny Radio Station Spreads Its Show Islandwide — And Beyond

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KKCR, which started broadcasting from the North Shore in 1994 and manages to stay on the air 24/7 with a paid staff of five and some volunteers, is trying to build a statewide audience.

Kauai: On A Now Empty Beach, Signs Of Nature’s Comeback Allan Parachini/Civil Beat

Kauai: On A Now Empty Beach, Signs Of Nature’s Comeback

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Kee Beach, once nearly loved to death by tourists, is now a place of solitude after last spring’s punishing storms cut it off from the rest of the island.

Kauai: How The Island’s ‘Hyde Park’ Became A Magnet For Protests Allan Parachini/Civil Beat

Kauai: How The Island’s ‘Hyde Park’ Became A Magnet For Protests

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Demonstrations like the March for Science and the Women’s March sometimes attract more than 500 participants at a grassy spot outside the airport.

Kauai: The End Of An Era For Election Day Polling Places Allan Parachini/Civil Beat

Kauai: The End Of An Era For Election Day Polling Places

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When the Garden’s Isle’s 14 precinct stations shut down Tuesday night, it might have been for the last time. An all-mail ballot experiment begins in 2020.

In Kauai Mayor’s Race, Rapozo Faces Uphill Battle Against Kawakami

In Kauai Mayor’s Race, Rapozo Faces Uphill Battle Against Kawakami

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The County Council chairman looks for a turnaround after being significantly outpolled by the former state representative in the primary.

Kauai: Prominent Native Hawaiian Activist Arrested At Encampment Allan Parachini/Civil Beat

Kauai: Prominent Native Hawaiian Activist Arrested At Encampment

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Robin Danner and her son, Garrett, were arrested Wednesday after a confrontation when authorities tried to evict a former caretaker at Kumu Camp.

Kauai County Council Elections Shaping Up As A Free-For-All Allan Pararchini/Civil Beat

Kauai County Council Elections Shaping Up As A Free-For-All

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The winners must deal with several looming issues, including combating climate change, worries over the relentless growth of tourism and maintaining the island’s rural lifestyle.

Kauai: Council Members Want To End Term Limits — On Themselves Screen shot

Kauai: Council Members Want To End Term Limits — On Themselves

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The chief proponent of the ballot measure is Councilman Ross Kagawa. If it fails, he could be term-limited out in 2020.

Kauai: A Rising Tide Of Abandoned Cars On The Garden Isle Allan Parachini/Civil Beat

Kauai: A Rising Tide Of Abandoned Cars On The Garden Isle

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Rusting hulks have become a common sight at otherwise scenic beach parks. The county is on pace to remove 1,300 vehicles this year.