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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Hawaii Governor Mulls New Insurance Program As Extreme Weather Raises Risk Factors DLNR

Hawaii Governor Mulls New Insurance Program As Extreme Weather Raises Risk Factors

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Challenges facing homeowners on Maui after the wildfires have prompted concerns that insurers may find the island state too risky.

How A Hawaii Kai Community Ended Up Owing $38,000 In Delinquent Property Taxes David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

How A Hawaii Kai Community Ended Up Owing $38,000 In Delinquent Property Taxes

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Residents want the City and County of Honolulu to take over their private roads, but they have one more stumbling block to overcome.

Condo Tower Fire Is Reminder Of Lack Of Sprinklers In Older Buildings Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Condo Tower Fire Is Reminder Of Lack Of Sprinklers In Older Buildings

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No major injuries were reported and the blaze was extinguished after about half an hour.

Honolulu Water Rates To Increase Almost 10% Each Year Ben Angarone/Civil Beat/2023

Honolulu Water Rates To Increase Almost 10% Each Year

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The vote came after months of community outreach by the Board of Water Supply in a bid to prepare customers in advance.

The Honolulu Liquor Commission’s New Administrator Plans Changes Ben Angarone/Civil Beat/2023

The Honolulu Liquor Commission’s New Administrator Plans Changes

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New administrator Sal Petilos assumes the helm as the commission faces staff shortages, a backlog of license applications and a federal lawsuit.

Honolulu Residents Face Federal Charges Over Cockfighting Operation Courtesy: Animal Wellness Action/2023

Honolulu Residents Face Federal Charges Over Cockfighting Operation

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Their trial is scheduled to begin in January.

Opponents Of Shark’s Cove Development Plan Are Pitching An Emergency Services Center Instead Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Opponents Of Shark’s Cove Development Plan Are Pitching An Emergency Services Center Instead

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Some residents hope that the city's plans for a new emergency services center on Oahuʻs North Shore can align with their goal to stop a commercial development there.

Kauai Estate To Close 3 Illegal Cesspools Courtesy: Health Department

Kauai Estate To Close 3 Illegal Cesspools

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The Kukuiolono Park Trust Estate will also pay a $58,000 penalty to the EPA.

Honolulu Gay Bar Steps Up Dispute With Liquor Commission Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2019

Honolulu Gay Bar Steps Up Dispute With Liquor Commission

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Scarlet Honolulu and Gay Island Guide cited an alleged death threat in requesting a temporary restraining order. The commission's counsel denied the allegation.