Honolulu

Photo Essay: These Keiki Might Save You From Drowning One Day Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Photo Essay: These Keiki Might Save You From Drowning One Day

Every summer, approximately 1,200 keiki spend a week in the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department’s Junior Lifeguard Program. The locations are spread across Oʻahu and fill to capacity almost as soon as registration opens in May.

Low-Flying Helicopter Caused Paraglider Crash At Makapu’u, Lawsuit Claims Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Low-Flying Helicopter Caused Paraglider Crash At Makapu’u, Lawsuit Claims

A paraglider pilot injured in a 2023 accident is suing an Oʻahu air tour company for negligence.

Ala Wai Harbor Is A Major Tow-Away Zone. Will Better Warning Signs Help? Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Ala Wai Harbor Is A Major Tow-Away Zone. Will Better Warning Signs Help?

Repaving is also coming for most of the 900 parking spaces at Hawaiʻi’s largest small boat harbor.

Honolulu Wants To Put More Cameras In Public Parks To Reduce Crime Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Honolulu Wants To Put More Cameras In Public Parks To Reduce Crime

The City Council hasn’t come up with funding yet for the program and research shows cameras alone may not be effective.

Honolulu’s Effort to Fast-Track Affordable Housing Projects Hasn’t Worked David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

Honolulu’s Effort to Fast-Track Affordable Housing Projects Hasn’t Worked

Developers of much-needed affordable housing are supposed to get permits approved or denied within three months. It’s taking far longer.

Oʻahu Wants To Crack Down On Homeless Bus Riders Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Oʻahu Wants To Crack Down On Homeless Bus Riders

Proposed restrictions would discourage people from sheltering in public transit.

Honolulu City Council Votes To Shake Up Its Leadership Matthew Leonard/Civil Beat/2025

Honolulu City Council Votes To Shake Up Its Leadership

New alliances are taking shape as Native Hawaiians occupy all three of the top positions.

Lawsuit Asks Court To Halt Haʻikū Stairs Demolition, Citing State Flip-Flop Courtesy: Friends of Haiku Stairs

Lawsuit Asks Court To Halt Haʻikū Stairs Demolition, Citing State Flip-Flop

The State Historic Preservation Division hasn’t adequately explained why it now supports the stairs’ removal, the suit says.

AG: Iwi Kūpuna Destroyed After State Halted North Shore Project Provided: State of Hawaiʻi/2025

AG: Iwi Kūpuna Destroyed After State Halted North Shore Project

Hawaiʻi is seeking a restraining order against the landowner and builder who were installing a septic system at a Ke Iki beach property where iwi kūpuna were damaged.

Fix It! Expired Contract Stalls Sidewalk Repairs At Villages of Kapolei  Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Fix It! Expired Contract Stalls Sidewalk Repairs At Villages of Kapolei 

A resident’s efforts to get answers about efforts to repair a buckled sidewalk and overgrown trees uncovered a lapsed maintenance contract.