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.
US Territories Have A Voice In Congress But No Vote. Here's Why
Some 3.6 million residents of U.S. territories can vote in presidential primaries but not the general election because of where they live.
The Sunshine Blog: Changing Of The Guard At Hawaiʻi Emergency Management
Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawai‘i.
The Sunshine Blog: Montana Man Charged With Threatening Hawaiʻi Governor
Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawai‘i.
The Sunshine Blog: This Trump Lawyer Just Got A Job With Gov. Josh Green
Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawai‘i.
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
Proposed Federal Rule Threatens Hawaiʻi Scientific Research
Weakening the independence of funding decisions risks undermining American innovation and competitiveness.
Ronen Zilberman/Civil Beat/2021
Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026
Department of Land and Natural Resources photo
Denby Fawcett/Civil Beat/2026
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022
Ronen Zilberman/Civil Beat/2022
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024
Kalany Omengkar/Civil Beat/2023
Screenshot/2026
Christina Jedra/Civil Beat/2026
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026
Kirstin Downey/Civil Beat/2026
Neil Averitt/Civil Beat/2026
Screenshot/2026
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022
David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024
Getty Images
Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023
Screenshot
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
Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2025
Erin Nolan/Civil Beat/2026
Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025