Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Behind Closed Doors: Honolulu Rail Officials Planned Political Strategy in Executive Session
Meeting minutes show how rail officials planned to lobby the Legislature to increase taxes to pay for a nearly $1 billion shortfall while telling the public they needed to talk with their attorney.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Pension Promises Are Getting Harder for Hawaii Lawmakers To Keep
Legislative efforts to make public workers pay more or sacrifice benefits face strong union opposition.
PF Bentley/Civil Beat/2014
Sen. Green Calls on Ige to Withdraw Nomination of Carleton Ching
The majority floor leader is the first senator to publicly oppose the pick to head Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Media Shield Law 2015: Who’s Really a Journalist?
Same debate as 2013 and the opposition is still over the same thing: how do you define a journalist that deserves protection under the law?
Gene Park/Civil Beat
Civil Cafe: Marijuana Debate Heats Up in Hawaii
As legislators consider bills ranging from establishment of medical dispensaries to outright legalization, panel members weigh in on all sides.
House of Representatives
Aloha, Mele Carroll: We’ll Miss You
The death of the former state rep leaves a big hole, but her life leaves us many strong and fond memories.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Bill to Abolish Hawaii Land Use Commission Is Dead on Arrival
Senate President Donna Mercado Kim emphasized the proposal during her opening day speech, but not enough senators supported it.
Flickr.com
House Panel Rejects Bill to Impose Buffer Zones for Pesticides
UPDATED: Similar measures are advancing in the Senate and await hearings involving senators Jill Tokuda and Rosalyn Baker.
PF Bentley/Civil Beat
Lawmakers Look to Preserve Subsidies for Preschoolers
Funding to continue the Preschool Open Doors Program passes out of two Senate committees.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Ige Picks DeCoite to Replace Carroll in State House
Molokai businesswoman is deeply rooted in the community, Hawaii governor says.