Public records requests can reveal information that would never appear in official news releases. But there is no guarantee agencies will hand the information over.
Not So Public
An ongoing examination of the state’s public records laws and policies.
Posted inNot So Public
Not So Public: Kaua‘i Council’s Testimony Policy Leaves Public In The Dark
It’s the only county council in the state that forces citizens to file records requests to access written public testimony.
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Convicted HawaiÊ»i Lawmaker’s Emails Were Deleted When He Left Office
Civil Beat requested emails ex-Rep. Ty Cullen and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke exchanged with a lobbyist. Requests were denied because the accounts were deleted.
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A Fight During Work Hours Wasn’t Enough To Get This City Inspector Fired
Honolulu hired Bryan Porcello despite at least eight convictions, and only fired him after his arrest for allegedly bailing a woman out of jail for sex. Heavily blacked-out documents make it difficult to see what was the last straw for the city.
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Not So Public: City Officials Mum On HPD Chief Request For Extra Cash
Soon-to-be retired Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan says he wants to be paid for two more years to cover retiring sooner than he’d anticipated.
Posted inUH Beat
Not So Public: Why Does UH’s New President Need A $250,000 Adviser?
Kim Siegenthaler has previous ties to President Wendy Hensel.
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Civil Beat Sues Honolulu Police To Make Officer Overtime Data Public
HPD has refused to hand over information that is routinely shared in other cities.
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Information Lockdown At Hawaii Labor Department Stymies Coronavirus Stories
Civil Beat tried to pursue stories about workers in unsafe conditions or denied workers’ compensation claims, but the state labor department says it’s too busy to answer questions.
Posted inNot So Public
Honolulu Agrees To Post Financial Disclosures Online
The city decided to make the forms more easily available following a Civil Beat report earlier this week.