Hawaiʻi Corruption Investigations

Hawaiʻi Attorney General To Investigate $35K Bribery Case After All David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

Hawaiʻi Attorney General To Investigate $35K Bribery Case After All

A state lawmaker took $35,000 from a federal bribery subject in 2022. Hawaiʻi prosecutors are now in charge of the case.

We Asked Hawaiʻi Lawmakers: Did You Take $35,000 In A Paper Bag? Cory Lum/Civil Beat

We Asked Hawaiʻi Lawmakers: Did You Take $35,000 In A Paper Bag?

Civil Beat contacted all the potential suspects. Many were quick to deny involvement. Some let others speak for them. Others remain silent. 

$35K Mystery Payment: Bill Would Extend Time To Prosecute David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

$35K Mystery Payment: Bill Would Extend Time To Prosecute

Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez says the state won’t pursue an investigation, but lawmakers are facing pressure to launch their own probe.

$35K Mystery Payment: Petition Calls For Hawaiʻi Legislature To Investigate Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021

$35K Mystery Payment: Petition Calls For Hawaiʻi Legislature To Investigate

The House is reviewing a petition to investigate $35,000 given to a lawmaker in a paper bag. The Senate so far is mum.

Justice Department: Well-Known Hawaiian Defense Contractor Embezzled Funds Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Justice Department: Well-Known Hawaiian Defense Contractor Embezzled Funds

Newly public court documents accuse Christopher Dawson and other executives not only of stealing from their federal contracting business but shortchanging Native Hawaiians in the process.

Rep. Andrew Garrett: Earning Back Public Trust Requires Independent Oversight Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2015

Rep. Andrew Garrett: Earning Back Public Trust Requires Independent Oversight

Hawaiʻi should consider establishing an independent entity to operate in the space between criminal prosecution and legislative discipline.

House Speaker Seeks Answers About The $35,000 Mystery Money The FBI Revealed Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

House Speaker Seeks Answers About The $35,000 Mystery Money The FBI Revealed

Pressure has been building on legislative leaders to launch their own investigation into the possible bribe of one of their members.

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Justice Apologizes For ‘Misinterpreting’ Case Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2017

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Justice Apologizes For ‘Misinterpreting’ Case

Legal experts said Sabrina McKenna’s opinion on the case involving three former city officials was not related to the matter before the court.

Convicted Officials May Be Innocent, Hawaiʻi Chief Justice Suggests  Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2017

Convicted Officials May Be Innocent, Hawaiʻi Chief Justice Suggests 

Three former Honolulu officials may have an opening to get their criminal records thrown out, one legal expert says.

Pay-To-Play: Hawaiʻi CEO Pressured Staff To Make Political Gifts David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

Pay-To-Play: Hawaiʻi CEO Pressured Staff To Make Political Gifts

Court documents in an ongoing felony case reveal new details about how employees were reimbursed for making campaign donations.