Brittany Lyte

Brittany Lyte is a general assignment reporter for Civil Beat who specializes in watchdog reporting, narrative storytelling and coverage of neighbor island and social issues. Prior to joining the Honolulu newsroom in March 2018, Brittany lived on the north shore of Kaua’i, where she juggled a freelance writing career while learning to surf, scuba dive, hunt wild pigs, prepare delicious ulu pancakes and perfect the soursop cocktail. Her writing during this period appeared in publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Atlantic and Hana Hou! magazine. Previously, she worked for Hearst Newspapers in Connecticut. An Upstate New York native, she has a degree in journalism from Boston University.

In a decade of reporting, Brittany has traveled to Russia, Poland and across the U.S., interviewing subjects ranging from the Dalai Lama to Ghostface Killah of the Wu-Tang Clan. Her writing has explored a similarly vast range of topics, from the plight of an accused cannibal on the run from police to an investigation into undocumented toxic waste buried beneath suburban Connecticut homes. Her series on the latter subject earned national accolades and inspired the state legislature to adopt a new real estate disclosure law to better protect homebuyers.

In pursuit of a good story, Brittany has learned to fly an M-26 Air Wolf and chased down a suspected killer while wearing heels and a silk dress.

Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Preparing For Hawaii’s New Medical Aid In Dying Law

By Brittany Lyte / December 17, 2018

The state estimates around 40 people will use the new law to seek medical assistance to end their lives next year.

Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Commuting Oahu: ‘It Takes Your Time And It Gives You Back Stress’

By Brittany Lyte / December 6, 2018

Some of us live closer to our jobs than ever. But it’s taking longer to get there. And the cost in lost time, dollars and home life is heavy.

Contributed by the Salazar family

‘I Did Not Jump Off The Train’

By Brittany Lyte / December 3, 2018

Recovering Amtrak passenger Aaron Salazar, who was found critically injured in a remote part of California, disputes Amtrak’s initial finding that he may have attempted suicide.

Cory Lum/Civil Beat

State Claims ‘Dramatic’ Improvement In Adult Home Care Oversight

By Brittany Lyte / November 30, 2018

But in the face of a harsh audit of the program last week, some lawmakers were skeptical that there has been such a swift turnaround.

Ronen Zilberman

A Mom Struggles Mightily As Law Lets Son Defy Doctor’s Orders

By Brittany Lyte / November 28, 2018

The Kaneohe woman says her son’s condition has deteriorated, partly because Hawaii allows people as young as age 15 to refuse inpatient psychiatric treatment.