Chad Blair/Civil Beat/2026
Budget Committee Makes A Deal To Save State Tax Cuts
Lawmakers urgently needed to reach an agreement on the tax issue before they could move on to the state budget.
Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026
Debate Over Hawaiʻi Income Taxes Gums Up Budget Negotiations
If the Legislature is going to end this year’s session on time, lawmakers must make some tough decisions this week. Insiders say there is no consensus yet.
Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2023
Political ‘Hot Potato’: Where Should Hawaiʻi Ban Aquarium Fishing?
The House and Senate have to work out major differences if the bill is to pass in the next two weeks.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021
Hawaiʻi Transportation Officials Want A New Military Partnership
A bill being considered by the Legislature would allow the state DOT to act as a military contractor to expedite federal projects for improvements to airports and roads.
David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025
Confusing Donation Drops Run By For-Profits Targeted By Hawaiʻi Lawmakers
Advocates say the measure will protect people from mistakenly thinking they’re donating to charities.
Chad Blair/Civil Beat/2026
Hawaiʻi Legislature Moves To Guard Against Federal Immigration Enforcement
Bills are advancing to prohibit face coverings, protect the right to record police and limit state cooperation.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021
Beth Fukumoto: Legislature Is Doing The Right Thing On Dyslexia
Every public school in Hawaiʻi should take the same approach to defining dyslexia and screening students for reading difficulties.
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025
Free School Meals Are Popular. Hawaiʻi Isn’t Sold.
Three years after lawmakers first considered making school meals free for all kids, students and teachers are still pushing for change.
David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024
Will Hawaiʻi Voters Once Again See Long Lines On Election Day?
Voters may be forced to wait in line this election season after the death of legislation that would have funded more county voter service centers.
Courtesy: Surfrider Foundation
A Last-Minute Miracle For A Bill To Help Hawaiʻi Convert Cesspools
The bill would create a new low-interest loan program to help eliminate some of the 80,000 cesspools leaking millions of gallons of sewage into Hawaiʻi’s nearshore waters daily.