essays, analysis, opinion
Let the Sunshine In
Tracking Corruption And Government Accountability
Civil Beat opinion writers are closely following efforts to bring more transparency and accountability to state and local government — at the Legislature, the county level and in the media. Help us by sending ideas and anecdotes to sunshine@civilbeat.org.
Passing Bills Is One Thing. Implementing Them Is A Different Story
The Legislature does a poor job following up on what lawmakers want and whether it actually happens.
This Rich Hawaiʻi Super PAC Is Already Shaping A Key Statewide Election
Pacific Resource Partnership has become a major player in the state’s most important political races.
The Sunshine Blog: Follow Along, Folks. Money Matters More Than Ever This Year
Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawai‘i.
Replanting Limu: A Civic Ritual To Save The Species — And Ourselves
The nonprofit hui is entirely funded by a mix of state conservation grants and support from foundations.
Columns
Editorials and Interviews
The Civil Beat Editorial Board Interview: US Rep. Ed Case
December 2, 2024 · 31 min read
The Civil Beat Editorial Board Interview: Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami
November 21, 2024 · 32 min read
The Civil Beat Editorial Board Interview: Hawaii's Climate Advisory Team
November 11, 2024 · 27 min read
The Civil Beat Editorial Board Interview: US Sen. Brian Schatz
August 18, 2024 · 25 min read
Now We Know The Scale Of Pay-To-Play Politics In Hawaii. It's Long Past Time To Act
April 21, 2024 · 5 min read
Community Voices
Close The Loophole Before Raising Taxes On Local Families
When two transactions lead to the same outcome, they should be treated the same under the tax code.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2017
David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026
Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026
Photo by Bart Asato
Erin Nolan/Civil Beat/2026
Chad Blair/Civil Beat/2026
Kalany Omengkar/Civil Beat/2023
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Courtesy: Christine Otto Zaa
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026
Denby Fawcett/Civil Beat/2026
Denby Fawcett/Civil Beat/2026
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Screenshot/Facebook/2026
Kirstin Downey/Civil Beat/2026
Neil Averitt/Civil Beat/2026
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Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022
David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024
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Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023
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Flickr: The Official CTBTO Photostream
Ludwig Laab/Civil Beat/2021
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2018
AP Photo/Eric Jamison/2008
David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025
The White House/2025
Chad Blair/Civil Beat/2024
David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024
David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024
Catherine Toth Fox/Civil Beat/2024
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021
Catherine Toth Fox/Civil Beat/2024
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Screenshot: Multidisciplinary team report/2024
David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2019
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2020
(Naka Nathaniel/Civil Beat 2024
Jonathan Salvador photo/2024
Cory Lum / Civil Beat
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024
David Croxford/Civil Beat/2022
Angelo Villagomez
Charlie Kaijo/Civil Beat
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Ben Lowenthal/Civil Beat/2017
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024
Jonathan Okamura/Civil Beat/2024
Courtesy Bernie Llanes/Aggressive Gamefarm
Alana Eagle/Civil Beat/2017
David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024
iStock/Suphanat Khumsap/2025
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022