Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Not All Warm and Fuzzy: Care Home Bill Would Have Forced Out a Patient
The failed legislation touted as a compassionate way to reunite an aging married couple is seen in a new light with concerns about displacing Medicaid clients in favor of private-paying residents.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Final Pieces Fall Into Place for State Senate Reorganization
Hawaii Sens. Laura Thielen, Russell Ruderman, Les Ihara and Gil Riviere are left out of power positions after in-session coup.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Emergency Money Made Easy, If You’re a Democratic Governor
David Ige, like Neil Abercrombie, had no problem securing funding from Hawaii lawmakers to get his new administration up and running — without providing detailed requests. That wasn’t the case for Republican Linda Lingle.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Denby Fawcett: How Will We Restore Trust in Hawaii’s Police?
The senator who killed most reform measures this session says he doesn’t want to punish all police officers for the actions of a few bad actors.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Honolulu Prosecutor to Hawaii Governor: Veto the Sex Trafficking Bill
Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro believes a new law will make it more difficult to put away pimps.
Pod Squad: Who Is New Senate President Ron Kouchi?
What can we expect from the Hawaii Senate’s new leader, and how do you pronounce his name, anyway?
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Ruderman Honored as Hawaii’s Small Business Person of the Year
The Big Island state senator received the award in D.C.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
With Kouchi as the New Dealer, Senate Still Shuffling Its Cards
UPDATED. Reorganization continues after a rare in-session coup elevated a Kauai politician known for working behind the scenes.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Ige Was a Hands-On Guy With the Legislature — For Better or Worse
Hawaii’s new governor popped up at interesting moments during the legislative session, sometimes as an effective dealmaker and negotiator. Other times, not so much.
The Projector: From Opening Day to 11th-Hour Coup, a Look Back at the Session
With the long-awaited approval of medical marijuana dispensaries, the 2015 Hawaii Legislature wrapped up its work Thursday. Here’s a visual recap of a session that supplied plenty of drama.