Senior Reporter
Matthew Leonard
Matthew Leonard is a senior reporter for Civil Beat, focusing on data journalism.
He joined the newsroom after more than a decade working in upstate New York and in Nashville. As the Investigations and Special Projects Editor for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Matthew supervised investigations into policing and justice, racial and health disparities and social and environmental justice issues across New York state. He was heavily involved in overhauling the organization’s coverage of public safety issues to be more equitable and inclusive.
Born in Sydney, Matthew worked for Australia’s national broadcaster and for several Indigenous media and cultural organizations, including in remote homeland communities. He spent five years at Radio New Zealand where he was able to pursue his interest in the cultures of the Pacific. A major project completed during his time in Aotearoa/New Zealand documented the last remnants of old growth forests and their cultural and ecological significance.
Matthew originally studied music composition and performance before making his way into public broadcasting, and continues to have a strong interest in music, sound design and audio production. He is a keen ocean swimmer, amateur musician and cooks a mean chili.
Follow Matthew on Twitter @mleonardmedia or email him at mleonard@civilbeat.org. Contact him for how to share news tips securely.
Nathan Eagle/Honolulu Civil Beat/2013
Hawaiʻi Helicopter Safety: Kauaʻi’s Waimea Canyon To Get Cameras
Weather was the main cause of aviation accidents in Hawaiʻi over the past 20 years. The FAA hopes a network of remote cameras can make the skies safer.
Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026
Run! Ala Moana Crosswalk Has Pedestrians Counting Down The Seconds
Cars power through this busy Ala Moana pedestrian crossing, while walkers are still trying to reach the other side.
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026
Honolulu Traffic Cams Catch Speeders. But Most Don’t Get Tickets
Cameras at 10 major accident hot spots are catching red light runners and speeders. But ticketing more of them would overwhelm the state’s courts.
Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026
E Hoʻomanawanui Ana Nā Kūpuna I Ka Hoʻoponopono ʻIa O Kahi ʻEleweka Pilikia Ma Nā Keʻena Hale Liliha
Pilikia ihola nā ʻeleweka o kahi hale he ʻumikūmāono ona papahele i ka wai hālana. He mau mahina paha ka wā e hoʻoponopono ʻia ai ka ʻeleweka e kau nui ai nā ʻōhua.
Chad Blair/Civil Beat/2018
Honolulu’s Airport Has AI Theme Songs. The Internet Is Divided
The AI-generated tunes celebrating the islands are played hourly over the airport sound system. Some travelers think they misrepresent local culture.
Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026
Honolulu Cyclists Lament Safety Barriers, Green Paint In Bike Lanes
New asphalt along South King Street meant bike path safety features had to be removed temporarily. They are taking too long to be replaced, cyclists say.
Courtesy: U.S. Coast Guard/2026
Kaua’i Helicopter Crash: Here’s What We Know One Week Later
Survivors may provide investigators with valuable details about the March accident. That hasn’t been the case in fatal crashes over the past decade.
Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026
North Shore Flood Will Add A Month’s Worth Of Debris To Landfill
The city has limited options when it comes to disposing tons of refuse from the flash floods that roared through the North Shore last month.
Courtesy: U.S. Coast Guard/2026
Kauaʻi Helicopter Crash: 3 Dead, 2 Injuries Reported Off Kalalau Beach
Two Massachusetts residents are among the dead after a helicopter crashed Thursday.