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Public Records

Matthew Leonard: HPD’s New Data Dashboard Is A Good Start But There’s Room To Improve Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Matthew Leonard: HPD’s New Data Dashboard Is A Good Start But There’s Room To Improve

Also, a note of caution about the latest census data on Native Hawaiians and a new tool on Hawaii's hot housing market.

The Problem With Hawaii’s Secret Court Files   April Estrellon/Civil Beat 2023

The Problem With Hawaii’s Secret Court Files  

In confidential lawsuits, a select few can keep sometimes embarrassing legal disputes hush-hush in ways that experts say may violate the First Amendment. 

Miske Organized Crime Trial Pushed To 2024 John Pritchett/Civil Beat/2020

Miske Organized Crime Trial Pushed To 2024

A new attorney is now leading Mike Miske's defense team and needs more time to get up to speed

Bill Allowing Agencies To Withhold Draft Documents Slipped Into Another Bill Late In The Session Screenshot/2023

Bill Allowing Agencies To Withhold Draft Documents Slipped Into Another Bill Late In The Session

House Bill 719 to cap copying fees for public records was abruptly amended to allow agencies to withhold certain pre-decisional records from the public.

Hawaii Senators Move To Keep Public Records Secret Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021

Hawaii Senators Move To Keep Public Records Secret

The state Supreme Court ruled Hawaii law has no 'deliberative process privilege', but Senators are trying to create one.

Hawaii Legislature Should Not Mess With Our Public Records Law Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2017

Hawaii Legislature Should Not Mess With Our Public Records Law

The Office of Information Practices is once again trying to reverse its defeat in court in order to impede the people’s right to know.
$600M Homestead Package Marks ‘Banner Year’ For Native Hawaiians At The Legislature Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

$600M Homestead Package Marks ‘Banner Year’ For Native Hawaiians At The Legislature

Amid historic funding agreements for Hawaiians, lawmakers race to reach a compromise on dozens of measures ahead of key legislative deadlines.
Open Government Commission Releases Recommendations On Legislative Bills Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021

Open Government Commission Releases Recommendations On Legislative Bills

The Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct is expected to delve deeper into government transparency issues later this year.
Bill To Limit Public Access To Government Records Is Dying In The Senate Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Bill To Limit Public Access To Government Records Is Dying In The Senate

Sen. Karl Rhoads says he won't consider the measure, but lawmakers are poised to create a working group to consider the controversy.
Let’s Remove Obstacles That Keep Citizens From Getting Government Records Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2013

Let’s Remove Obstacles That Keep Citizens From Getting Government Records

Some bills before the Legislature would help -- for instance, by reducing copying fees. Others are bad ideas that would blow holes in the public's right to know.
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