Civil Beat Staff

Ben Angarone

Ben Angarone is a reporter for Civil Beat. He recently earned a master’s degree at Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, focusing on politics and writing his magazine-length thesis on a virtual cryptocurrency community.

Ben was born in New Jersey and earned his bachelor’s degree at Princeton. He bounced between different STEM majors before landing on politics, and decided to pursue journalism senior year during a covid-driven virtual semester. Ben wrote feature stories for the Daily Princetonian, chronicling how communities adjusted to the pandemic.

In college, Ben led backpacking orientation trips along the East Coast, bringing unsuspecting frosh face-to-face with bears, rocky inclines and cheesy campfire songs. His eternal fun fact is that he used to operate rollercoasters at Six Flags Great Adventure.

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Honolulu Spilled 27M Gallons Of Sewage In A New System Failure David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

Honolulu Spilled 27M Gallons Of Sewage In A New System Failure

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Heavy rains once again overwhelmed Honolulu’s sewage system last month, leading to spills.

Fate Of Proposed Data And Innovation Office In O‘ahu Voters’ Hands Christina Jedra/Civil Beat/2023

Fate Of Proposed Data And Innovation Office In O‘ahu Voters’ Hands

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The proposal will be one of 20 ballot measures for Honolulu voters to weigh.

Look Out! There’s A Hole In This Waikīkī Sidewalk Ben Angarone/Civil Beat/2026)

Look Out! There’s A Hole In This Waikīkī Sidewalk

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Months after a resident reported it, the city offered no repair timeline.

Honolulu Says Its Tow Contractor Overbilled. Taxpayers Will Pay The Price Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Honolulu Says Its Tow Contractor Overbilled. Taxpayers Will Pay The Price

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Honolulu demanded its towing contractor, accused of overcharging, issue refunds to drivers. When the company said no, taxpayers were stuck with the bill.

Honolulu’s Checkbook: Who’s Getting Paid And How Much Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Honolulu’s Checkbook: Who’s Getting Paid And How Much

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The expenses include more than $3,000 from the Climate Change and Resiliency Fund spent at the arcade and sports bar Dave and Buster’s.

Covid Audit: Millions Meant To Support Oʻahu Residents Went Elsewhere Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Covid Audit: Millions Meant To Support Oʻahu Residents Went Elsewhere

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Honolulu’s “ambitious” plans had to shift so the money could be spent in time, Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s managing director said.

Panda Diplomacy: A Mayor’s Quest To Bring Pandas From China To Hawaiʻi City and County of Honolulu

Panda Diplomacy: A Mayor’s Quest To Bring Pandas From China To Hawaiʻi

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Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s efforts to court China included a gift of lei, a letter to President Xi Jinping and a trip to China with the CEO of Panda Express.

Supreme Court Blocks Honolulu Council Chair From Seeking Third Term Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Supreme Court Blocks Honolulu Council Chair From Seeking Third Term

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The court ruled candidates Trevor Ozawa and Tara Malia Gregory should be placed on the ballot this fall. Tommy Waters is not allowed to run this time.

Supreme Court To Shape One Of Hawaiʻi’s Hottest Political Races Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Supreme Court To Shape One Of Hawaiʻi’s Hottest Political Races

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For a third time, Tommy Waters and Trevor Ozawa are in court fighting over the East Honolulu city council seat.