Civil Beat interviewed four of Hawaii’s most prominent leaders. They had a lot to say about our growing social and economic problems and the lack of leadership to help resolve them.

Come November, voters may be asked to elect short-term and long-term replacements for the late Mark Takai.

Hawaii's governor has vetoed 16 bills from the first two legislative sessions of his term. Former Gov. Linda Lingle has him beat – by a lot.

The Democrat and former congresswoman likely would scare off many potential challengers for the seat she won twice before Takai.

The state will likely continue with Corrections Corporation of America in Arizona, despite a long history of problems.

In a surprise to local party officials, Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui was added just before the presidential preference poll, bringing the total to 10.

The former governor has chosen Kirk Kurokawa to create his portrait, continuing a century-old tradition in Hawaii.

His depiction will hang alongside those of other past governors dating back 100 years. But first he has to pick an artist, and what attributes he wants to emphasize. The whole project is way behind schedule.

The former governor is on the road ahead as a private citizen after a lifetime of public service.