Columnist

Neal Milner

Neal Milner is a former political science professor at the University of Hawaii where he taught for 40 years. He is a political analyst for KITV and is a regular contributor to Hawaii Public Radio's "The Conversation." His most recent book is The Gift of Underpants. Opinions are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Civil Beat's views.
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Neal Milner: Honolulu’s Rail Is More About Incompetence Than Corruption Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Neal Milner: Honolulu’s Rail Is More About Incompetence Than Corruption

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Officials through the years urged patience, but the problems facing the project in 1992 are still elusive.

Neal Milner: We Should Rethink Our Housing Priorities While Waiting For The World To Change Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Neal Milner: We Should Rethink Our Housing Priorities While Waiting For The World To Change

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What to consider when criminalizing homelessness is unjust and policymaking is unrealistic.
Neal Milner: We Still Need Sidewalks And Shopping Centers Where We Can Linger Joe Wolf/Flickr.com

Neal Milner: We Still Need Sidewalks And Shopping Centers Where We Can Linger

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The ability to casually hang out at places like Starbucks and Costco is integral to a sense of community and our democracy.
Neal Milner: Beware Of Public Officials Wielding Pristine Ceremonial Shovels Mayor's Office

Neal Milner: Beware Of Public Officials Wielding Pristine Ceremonial Shovels

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Groundbreaking ceremonies may not answer all prayers, but they are intended to renew our faith in government.
Neal Milner: Mike McCartney Might Just Have A Career In Stand-Up Comedy Stewart Yerton/Civil Beat /2019

Neal Milner: Mike McCartney Might Just Have A Career In Stand-Up Comedy

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Silvia Luke's inauguration jokes and McCartney's zinger were rare displays of genuine comedic talent from public officials.
Neal Milner: Why I Don’t Mind Being Uncomfortable At Christmastime Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Neal Milner: Why I Don’t Mind Being Uncomfortable At Christmastime

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Discomfort allows me to feel part of this place while still keeping my eyes wide open.
Neal Milner: Will Our New Governor Be A Truth-Teller Or A Truth-Skater? David Croxford/Civil Beat/2022

Neal Milner: Will Our New Governor Be A Truth-Teller Or A Truth-Skater?

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So many projects go off the rails in Hawaii, we need leaders who are brutally honest even if the news is bad.
Neal Milner: Forget About The Elections. This Endangered Butterfly Is A Much Better Story US Fish & Wildlife Service

Neal Milner: Forget About The Elections. This Endangered Butterfly Is A Much Better Story

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Scientists, landowners and the government worked together to save this rare creature.
Neal Milner: Honolulu Needs To Be More Than Just A Lot Of People Living Together Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Neal Milner: Honolulu Needs To Be More Than Just A Lot Of People Living Together

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Describing Hawaii as a special place and a unique bubble of niceness and ohana is often more of a defense and rationalization than a vision.