Civil Beat Staff

Caitlin Thompson

Caitlin Thompson is an investigative reporter and audio journalist who has reported internationally and across the U.S. Most recently, she was on the investigations team at NPR in Washington, D.C. where her reporting on a real estate company offering sale-leaseback deals to cash-strapped homeowners sparked a Senate investigation. As a Global Reporting Centre Investigative Fellow, she reported on the child welfare agency in New Mexico.

Honolulu Police Shoot Teen In Stolen Vehicle Caitlin Thompson/Civil Beat/2026

Honolulu Police Shoot Teen In Stolen Vehicle

Interim Chief Rade Vanic said a police officer was injured in the incident, but did not provide details on the extent of the officer’s injuries.

Hawaiʻi Storms: Otake Camp Evacuation Ordered Again Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Hawaiʻi Storms: Otake Camp Evacuation Ordered Again

Honolulu officials had planned to hold a press conference to provide updates on the storm Friday afternoon, but canceled it shortly after the evacuation order went out.

Hawaiʻi Storms: Governor Orders Oʻahu Shutdown Friday Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Hawaiʻi Storms: Governor Orders Oʻahu Shutdown Friday

Public schools, parks, libraries and most government offices on Oʻahu will close amid forecasts of heavy rain and strong winds.

Hawaiʻi Weighs Shorter Probation, Lighter Punishment For Drugs California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation

Hawaiʻi Weighs Shorter Probation, Lighter Punishment For Drugs

A committee of stakeholders from across the criminal justice system is working to bring the state more in line with national trends on drug possession and probation.

Neglected North Shore Plantation Waterways Fueled Damaging Floods Satellite image ©2026 Vantor

Neglected North Shore Plantation Waterways Fueled Damaging Floods

Sugar and pineapple acreage was sold off over the years, divided into hundreds of smaller plots for farming and housing. After the deluge, everyone is pointing fingers.

Recent Rains Decrease Drought Across Hawaiʻi Sean Hower/Civil Beat/2026

Recent Rains Decrease Drought Across Hawaiʻi

As farmers recover from devastating floods and historic rainfall, drought-stricken areas are soaking in the moisture.

Flying Blind: Honolulu Officials Held Off On Evacuations As North Shore Flooded Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Flying Blind: Honolulu Officials Held Off On Evacuations As North Shore Flooded

By the time emergency management officials told people it was time to evacuate in Waialua and Haleʻiwa, some residents had already been swimming for their lives.

Mud, Mud And More Mud: Residents Of Oʻahu’s North Shore Start To Dig Out Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Mud, Mud And More Mud: Residents Of Oʻahu’s North Shore Start To Dig Out

Residents of Haleʻiwa and Waialua were allowed over the weekend to return to their neighborhoods, flooded in the second of two powerful Kona lows. The damage was sobering.

For These Waialua Residents, No Easy Way To Get Home Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

For These Waialua Residents, No Easy Way To Get Home

In the wake of the flooding and a National Guard evacuation, this father-and-son duo had to improvise.