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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.