Let The Sunshine In

Are Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Just Rubber-Stamping Bills Every Session? Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021

Are Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Just Rubber-Stamping Bills Every Session?

A new research tool shows the vast majority of bills pass out of the Legislature with no opposition.

The Sunshine Blog: Six Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Say ‘Shalom!’ To Israel Screenshot/2025

The Sunshine Blog: Six Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Say ‘Shalom!’ To Israel

Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawai‘i.

What Democracy’s Backsliding In Washington Means For Hawaiʻi AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite/2025

What Democracy’s Backsliding In Washington Means For Hawaiʻi

We need to prepare now for potential changes in the way the federal government treats Hawaiʻi.

Scott Nago’s Bumpy Ride As Hawaiʻi’s Chief Election Officer Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Scott Nago’s Bumpy Ride As Hawaiʻi’s Chief Election Officer

He’s held the job longer than anyone else in state history and been at the center of controversy nearly every election cycle.

HPD Needs A New Chief And A New Culture Cory Lum/Civil Beat

HPD Needs A New Chief And A New Culture

The Honolulu Police Commission has a chance to put in place a chief who will bring about fundamental change, not just maintain a status quo that isn’t working.  

The Sunshine Blog: Political Violence Is A Tricky Subject These Days AP/2024

The Sunshine Blog: Political Violence Is A Tricky Subject These Days

Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawai‘i.

Beth Fukumoto: Hawaiʻi Homelessness Policies Often Mirror Trump’s Hard Line Denby Fawcett/Civil Beat

Beth Fukumoto: Hawaiʻi Homelessness Policies Often Mirror Trump’s Hard Line

Sweeps, bans and civil commitments have been common tools used in Hawaiʻi for years.

Honolulu Police Chief Search: It’s Deja Vu All Over Again David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

Honolulu Police Chief Search: It’s Deja Vu All Over Again

The Honolulu Police Commission can and should do some things better this time around.

The Sunshine Blog: Hawaiʻi Might Need A Special Session After All Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

The Sunshine Blog: Hawaiʻi Might Need A Special Session After All

Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawai‘i.

Suit Challenges How Legislators Turn Blank Bills Into Mid-Session Surprises David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Suit Challenges How Legislators Turn Blank Bills Into Mid-Session Surprises

League of Women Voters targets the use of short-form measures that start out as empty shells.