Digital Democracy

Hawaiʻi Teachers Win Raises, But Some Schools Are Still Crumbling Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Hawaiʻi Teachers Win Raises, But Some Schools Are Still Crumbling

Teachers say lawmakers made significant progress boosting educator morale and retention this session, but debates about campus repairs and construction are ongoing.

Hawaiʻi Residents With Unpaid Medical Bills Could Soon Get Help David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Hawaiʻi Residents With Unpaid Medical Bills Could Soon Get Help

The Legislature this year passed a bill to cancel unpaid medical debt for lower-income Hawaiʻi residents.

Requiring Judges To Consider Past Trauma Of Youth Offenders Aim Of New Law David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

Requiring Judges To Consider Past Trauma Of Youth Offenders Aim Of New Law

The proposed law, which awaits the governor’s signature, would also bar youth who have been trafficked or sexually abused from being charged as adults for crimes in which their abuser is the victim.

Stricter E-Bike Regulations Planned For Hawai‘i Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Stricter E-Bike Regulations Planned For Hawai‘i

The new bill would mandate helmets for anyone under 18, ban wheelies or stunt riding on public streets, and place other age restrictions on riding.

Amid Funding Fears, Food And Farming Bills Fared Better Than Expected (Thomas Heaton/Civil Beat/2026)

Amid Funding Fears, Food And Farming Bills Fared Better Than Expected

Lawmakers, farmers and agriculture advocates found tens of millions of dollars for key infrastructure projects this legislative session.

Luxury Home Tax Pitch To Fund Hawaiian Homes Flopped. Now What? Marina Riker/Civil Beat/2022

Luxury Home Tax Pitch To Fund Hawaiian Homes Flopped. Now What?

The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands came away with some funds but will need to look for other revenue sources.

Lee Cataluna: Wheelies? Really? Laws Don’t Work Without Enforcement Getty Images/iStockphoto

Lee Cataluna: Wheelies? Really? Laws Don’t Work Without Enforcement

Dangerous bike stunts and other public safety issues are examples of restrictions that policymakers try to crack down on.

Sunshine Scorecard: One Big Bill, A Couple Small Things, The Rest Fizzled Chad Blair/Civil Beat/2026

Sunshine Scorecard: One Big Bill, A Couple Small Things, The Rest Fizzled

Hawaiʻi lawmakers still can’t bring themselves to do anything that changes how they do business or makes it easier for other people to run for office.

Legislators Advance Bill To Limit Corporate Money In Hawaiʻi Elections Chad Blair/Civil Beat/2026

Legislators Advance Bill To Limit Corporate Money In Hawaiʻi Elections

The legislation would make Hawaiʻi one of the first states to sidestep the Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court case that allows unlimited corporate spending in local elections. 

Young Brothers Held On To $26M In State Money To Cover Its Costs Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2020

Young Brothers Held On To $26M In State Money To Cover Its Costs

Hawaiʻi allowed the shipping company to keep the money while awaiting a rate increase but now wants millions more in penalties and interest.