Columnist

Denby Fawcett

Denby Fawcett is a longtime Hawaiʻi television and newspaper journalist, who grew up in Honolulu. Her book, Secrets of Diamond Head: A History and Trail Guide is available on Amazon. Opinions are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Civil Beat's views.
Denby Fawcett: Lei Makers Are Struggling To Keep Up With Demand This May Day Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Denby Fawcett: Lei Makers Are Struggling To Keep Up With Demand This May Day

Recent storms and other economic issues have taken their toll on Hawaiʻi’s flower vendors.

Denby Fawcett: Respecting Those Who Have Legitimate Concerns Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Denby Fawcett: Respecting Those Who Have Legitimate Concerns

It’s easy to call someone a NIMBY and undermine valid opposition rather than fully analyze a project’s long-term consequences.

Denby Fawcett: Hard Questions About Public Land Use In Kaimukī Denby Fawcett/Civil Beat/2026

Denby Fawcett: Hard Questions About Public Land Use In Kaimukī

Japanese kyudo archery only attracts a small number of users on Oʻahu but a new facility would take up considerable public space.

Denby Fawcett: City Says This Kaimukī Monster House Complex Is Good To Go Denby Fawcett/Civil Beat/2026

Denby Fawcett: City Says This Kaimukī Monster House Complex Is Good To Go

The developer won approval after agreeing to turn a substantial portion of living space into a garage and remove one of its 17 bathrooms.

Denby Fawcett: Bill To Create Residential ‘Monster Lots’ Is Dead — For Now Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Denby Fawcett: Bill To Create Residential ‘Monster Lots’ Is Dead — For Now

Lawmakers got a lot of pushback over a proposal to allow six units on a lot originally zoned for a single-family home, but they may reintroduce the measure next year.

Denby Fawcett: My $54 Lesson In Social Media Scams Screenshot/Facebook/2026

Denby Fawcett: My $54 Lesson In Social Media Scams

A bipartisan bill pending in Congress would require social media platforms to first verify a company’s business credentials before allowing it to advertise.

Denby Fawcett: Pidgin Author Lee Tonouchi Is Hawaiʻi’s New Poet Laureate Denby Fawcett/Civil Beat/2026

Denby Fawcett: Pidgin Author Lee Tonouchi Is Hawaiʻi’s New Poet Laureate

For years, Lee Tonouchi has fostered a growing respect and love for Pidgin, a language once reviled as lazy, inferior — or worse.

Denby Fawcett: 365 Days Of Donald Trump And The Effect On Hawaiʻi Courtesy: Catherine Cruz

Denby Fawcett: 365 Days Of Donald Trump And The Effect On Hawaiʻi

Trump’s policies in the last year have caused structural damage to governance that might be difficult to reverse.

Denby Fawcett: January Reckonings Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021

Denby Fawcett: January Reckonings

This month brings the realization that it should be time to face uncomfortable truths.