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.

Tyler Dos Santos-Tam Elected Honolulu Council Chair Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026

Tyler Dos Santos-Tam Elected Honolulu Council Chair

The councilman representing Chinatown was chosen to lead the Honolulu City Council despite concerns about how he secured the council’s support.

Trevor Ozawa Wins Back Honolulu City Council Seat, 8 Years Later Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Trevor Ozawa Wins Back Honolulu City Council Seat, 8 Years Later

Voters also sided with measures backing data innovation, food security and protection for immigrants — and they want to punish politicians who are impeached.

100 Roosters Are Driving These Oʻahu Neighbors Nuts Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

100 Roosters Are Driving These Oʻahu Neighbors Nuts

Residents in Kahaluʻu are mad that their neighbor is keeping more than 100 noisy chickens – and that the city is doing nothing about it. 

If Tuesday’s Election Is Exciting Hawaiʻi Voters, They Aren’t Showing It Ben Angarone/Civil Beat/2026

If Tuesday’s Election Is Exciting Hawaiʻi Voters, They Aren’t Showing It

Early voter turnout in Hawaiʻi is behind that of past midterm elections. That contrasts with early voting in other states.

Derelict Mōʻiliʻili Property, Home To Squatters, Plagues Neighborhood Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Derelict Mōʻiliʻili Property, Home To Squatters, Plagues Neighborhood

The developers sought to provide affordable housing. In an unintended way, they did.

$22M In Overtime: Some Honolulu Firefighters Double Their Hours Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

$22M In Overtime: Some Honolulu Firefighters Double Their Hours

Some firefighters are working more than 100 extra days per year. The coverage is costing taxpayers millions.

Too Hot, No Swings: Why Hawaiʻi’s Playgrounds Don’t Hit The Fun Spot Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Too Hot, No Swings: Why Hawaiʻi’s Playgrounds Don’t Hit The Fun Spot

Parents complain too many of Hawaiʻi’s public playgrounds are lacking in shade, whimsy and equipment for kids of all ages.

Honolulu Council: Former Member Faces Opponent Who Embraces Conspiracies Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Honolulu Council: Former Member Faces Opponent Who Embraces Conspiracies

East Honolulu voters have starkly different candidates to choose from as they decide who to entrust as one of the island’s nine council members.

Maui Mayor Bissen Is Under Criminal Investigation, Police Chief Says Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2024

Maui Mayor Bissen Is Under Criminal Investigation, Police Chief Says

Maui Police Chief John Pelletier says he believes he was put on leave because of what he says are investigations into corruption in the mayor’s office.