Reporter

Megan Tagami

Megan Tagami is a reporter covering education for Honolulu Civil Beat.

Megan earned her degree in political science and public affairs from UCLA, where she wrote for the school paper, the Daily Bruin.

Megan previously interned for the Wall Street Journal and CalMatters, covering K-12 and higher education. She also was an intern for Civil Beat.

Megan was born and raised in Honolulu. In her free time, she is out looking for a good cup of coffee or finding new hiking trails with her cousin.

Mau Ke Emi O Ka Heluna Haumāna O Hawaiʻi Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Mau Ke Emi O Ka Heluna Haumāna O Hawaiʻi

Aia nā alakaʻi mokuʻāina ke ʻimi nei he ala e lapaʻau ʻia ai ka heluna haumāna o nā kula e emi nei i loko o ke emi o ka huinanui hānau o kēlā makahiki kēia makahiki a me ka haʻalele ʻana o nā haumāna i ka mokuʻāina.

Water Safety Lessons Coming To Hawaiʻi Schools. Swimming Isn’t Required Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Water Safety Lessons Coming To Hawaiʻi Schools. Swimming Isn’t Required

For the first time, Hawaiʻi schools may require water safety lessons. But swimming lessons will only be available to some.

Hawaiʻi’s Youth Are Leaving. Meet The People Keeping Talent Here  Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Hawaiʻi’s Youth Are Leaving. Meet The People Keeping Talent Here 

A local nonprofit is empowering high school students to tackle some of the state’s biggest problems while taking on its own challenge of addressing Hawaiʻi’s brain drain. 

Low Test Scores: For Hawaiʻi High Schoolers, The Math Isn’t Mathing Jamm Aquino/Civil Beat/2026

Low Test Scores: For Hawaiʻi High Schoolers, The Math Isn’t Mathing

Elementary schoolers do OK in math, but by junior year, many students start falling behind. Educators say they need to catch struggling students earlier.  

Half Of Keiki Are Chronically Absent At Some Schools. See How Yours Compares Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Half Of Keiki Are Chronically Absent At Some Schools. See How Yours Compares

At some Hawaiʻi public schools, more than 50% of students regularly skip school, state data shows.

See The Portable Pool That Could Help Prevent Hawaiʻi Youth Drownings Cory Lum/Civil Beat

See The Portable Pool That Could Help Prevent Hawaiʻi Youth Drownings

The nonprofit Nā Kama Kai says a new mobile pool on the Westside of Oʻahu can offer swim lessons for kids with limited access to public pools.

Oʻahu Charter School Without Leadership But Avoids Closure For Now Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Oʻahu Charter School Without Leadership But Avoids Closure For Now

A power struggle with school funders prompted at least one governing board member to resign. 

Ua Hōʻea Ke Kulekele Pāpā Kelepona Paʻalima Hou O Ko Hawaiʻi Mau Kula. Pehea Ka Manaʻo O Nā ʻŌpio? Megan Tagami/Civil Beat/2026

Ua Hōʻea Ke Kulekele Pāpā Kelepona Paʻalima Hou O Ko Hawaiʻi Mau Kula. Pehea Ka Manaʻo O Nā ʻŌpio?

I ka makahiki kula e hoʻomaka hou ana, ua walaʻau ko Civil Beat me nā haumāna kula kiʻekiʻe no ka holo o ko ka mokuʻāina kulekele kelepona paʻalima hou.

State To Decide Fate Of West O‘ahu Charter School After Board Quits Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

State To Decide Fate Of West O‘ahu Charter School After Board Quits

The school can’t stay open without a governing board, but it may have few options for recruiting a new one. The Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission will decide what happens next on Thursday.