Political

The Sunshine Blog: Taxpayers Keep Paying For Disgraced City Officials Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawai‘i.

June 29, 2025 2

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/06/the-sunshine-blog-taxpayers-keep-paying-for-disgraced-city-officials/

Hawaiʻi Senator Didn’t Disclose Possible Conflict Of Interest Before Voting Donovan Dela Cruz voted four times in favor of passing a bill designed to protect māmaki tea, even though he owns a māmaki tea business. No other senators declared conflicts either.

June 22, 2025 0

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/06/hawai%ca%bbi-senator-didnt-disclose-possible-conflict-of-interest-before-voting/

Honolulu City Council Votes To Shake Up Its Leadership New alliances are taking shape as Native Hawaiians occupy all three of the top positions.

June 18, 2025 0

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/06/honolulu-city-council-votes-to-shake-up-its-leadership/

Hawaiʻi Governor Urged To Reconsider Possible Veto Of E-Bike Bill Advocates say HB 958 addresses a growing public safety challenge. But the attorney general worries it’s unconstitutional and a threat to electric vehicles.

June 12, 2025 0

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/06/hawaii-governor-urged-to-reconsider-possible-veto-of-e-bike-bill/

GOVERNOR GREEN RELEASES INTENT-TO-VETO LIST

June 7, 2025 0

GOVERNOR GREEN RELEASES INTENT-TO-VETO LIST HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green, M.D., today informed legislative leaders and stakeholders of his intent...

GOVERNOR GREEN TO TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON D.C.

June 7, 2025 0

GOVERNOR GREEN TO TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON D.C. HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green, M.D., will travel to Washington D.C. on Sunday,...

Could Kauaʻi’s Mayor Ride Wave Of Strong Fundraising To Statewide Office? Mayor Derek Kawakami has not decided his next move, which may depend on a looming decision by Hawaiʻi Senate President Ron Kouchi, whom he calls a mentor.

June 6, 2025 0

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/06/could-kauais-mayor-ride-wave-of-strong-fundraising-to-statewide-office/

The 2026 Kauaʻi Mayor’s Race Is Off To An Early Start Two familiar faces on the Garden Island have emerged as frontrunners, declaring their intent to run months before it’s even time for candidates to register.

May 26, 2025 0

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/05/the-2026-kaua%ca%bbi-mayors-race-is-off-to-an-early-start/

An Inside Look At The Sudden Shake-Up In House Leadership After replacing Finance Committee chair Kyle Yamashita, Chris Todd promises to reform how the House handles money bills.

May 8, 2025 0

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/05/an-inside-look-at-the-sudden-shake-up-in-house-leadership/

Yamashita Ousted As Chair Of State House Finance Committee Lawmakers say Democrats were disappointed with his leadership, especially with the Hawaiʻi Legislature facing financial uncertainty from Trump.

May 7, 2025 0

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/05/yamashita-ousted-as-chair-of-state-house-finance-committee/

How To Change The Pay-To-Play Culture in Hawaiʻi? Here Are Some Ideas There’s still hope for much-needed reforms, but face it: There’ll be no help from legislative leaders.

May 4, 2025 0

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/05/how-to-change-the-pay-to-play-culture-in-hawai%ca%bbi-here-are-some-ideas/

We’re All Getting Played By The Hawaiʻi Legislature When it comes to good government, our legislators failed to deliver for the people.

April 30, 2025 0

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/04/were-all-getting-played-by-the-hawai%ca%bbi-legislature/

Legislative Leaders Want Pay-To-Play Bill Significantly Watered Down House and Senate negotiators have been polishing the major reform proposal all session. Leadership added new wrinkles at the finish line.

April 24, 2025 0

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/04/legislative-leaders-want-pay-to-play-bill-significantly-watered-down/

Divisive Maui Pay Hikes: Should A Mayor Earn More Than A Governor? Maui Mayor Richard Bissen, who governs 11% of the state’s population, is set to earn more than even Gov. Josh Green when a slate of generous county pay raises kick in.

April 18, 2025 0

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/04/divisive-maui-pay-hikes-should-a-mayor-earn-more-than-a-governor/

Senate bill would allow campaign to be used for taking care of dependents

April 17, 2025 0

https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2025/04/17/hawaii-news/senate-bill-would-allow-campaign-to-be-used-for-taking-care-of-dependents/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_news

Honolulu Director’s Free Trip To Poland Raises Ethics Questions Government watchdogs think the European field trip is a bad look, but city officials insist there’s nothing wrong with it.

April 15, 2025 0

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/04/honolulu-directors-free-trip-to-poland-raises-ethics-questions/

Buckle Up, The Legislature’s Frenzied Final Act Is About To Begin Hundreds of measures hurtle toward the black hole of conference committee that waits at the end of every ridiculously short session. Solution? Full-time Legislature.

April 13, 2025 0

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/04/buckle-up-the-legislatures-frenzied-final-act-is-about-to-begin/

Hawaiʻi Rep. Ed Case Angers Democrats Over ‘Proof Of Citizenship’ Vote He was one of just four Democrats voting with all Republicans to pass the SAVE Act. Rep. Jill Tokuda calls the legislation an act of voter suppression.

April 11, 2025 0

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/04/hawai%ca%bbi-rep-ed-case-angers-democrats-over-proof-of-citizenship-vote/

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Appear Poised To Crack Down On Pay-To-Play Politics The bill is heading to conference committee where some details still need to be hashed out between the House and the Senate.

April 11, 2025 0

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/04/hawaii-lawmakers-appear-poised-to-crack-down-on-pay-to-play-politics/

Mayor Alameda Delivers State of the County Address

April 9, 2025 0

Mayor Alameda Delivers State of the County Address During his first State of the County address, County of Hawaiʻi Mayor...

Political

The Sunshine Blog: Taxpayers Keep Paying For Disgraced City Officials Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawai‘i.

Hawaiʻi Senator Didn’t Disclose Possible Conflict Of Interest Before Voting Donovan Dela Cruz voted four times in favor of passing a bill designed to protect māmaki tea, even though he owns a māmaki tea business. No other senators declared conflicts either.

Honolulu City Council Votes To Shake Up Its Leadership New alliances are taking shape as Native Hawaiians occupy all three of the top positions.

Hawaiʻi Governor Urged To Reconsider Possible Veto Of E-Bike Bill Advocates say HB 958 addresses a growing public safety challenge. But the attorney general worries it’s unconstitutional and a threat to electric vehicles.

GOVERNOR GREEN RELEASES INTENT-TO-VETO LIST

GOVERNOR GREEN TO TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON D.C.

Could Kauaʻi’s Mayor Ride Wave Of Strong Fundraising To Statewide Office? Mayor Derek Kawakami has not decided his next move, which may depend on a looming decision by Hawaiʻi Senate President Ron Kouchi, whom he calls a mentor.

The 2026 Kauaʻi Mayor’s Race Is Off To An Early Start Two familiar faces on the Garden Island have emerged as frontrunners, declaring their intent to run months before it’s even time for candidates to register.

An Inside Look At The Sudden Shake-Up In House Leadership After replacing Finance Committee chair Kyle Yamashita, Chris Todd promises to reform how the House handles money bills.

Yamashita Ousted As Chair Of State House Finance Committee Lawmakers say Democrats were disappointed with his leadership, especially with the Hawaiʻi Legislature facing financial uncertainty from Trump.

How To Change The Pay-To-Play Culture in Hawaiʻi? Here Are Some Ideas There’s still hope for much-needed reforms, but face it: There’ll be no help from legislative leaders.

We’re All Getting Played By The Hawaiʻi Legislature When it comes to good government, our legislators failed to deliver for the people.

Legislative Leaders Want Pay-To-Play Bill Significantly Watered Down House and Senate negotiators have been polishing the major reform proposal all session. Leadership added new wrinkles at the finish line.

Divisive Maui Pay Hikes: Should A Mayor Earn More Than A Governor? Maui Mayor Richard Bissen, who governs 11% of the state’s population, is set to earn more than even Gov. Josh Green when a slate of generous county pay raises kick in.

Senate bill would allow campaign to be used for taking care of dependents

Honolulu Director’s Free Trip To Poland Raises Ethics Questions Government watchdogs think the European field trip is a bad look, but city officials insist there’s nothing wrong with it.

Buckle Up, The Legislature’s Frenzied Final Act Is About To Begin Hundreds of measures hurtle toward the black hole of conference committee that waits at the end of every ridiculously short session. Solution? Full-time Legislature.

Hawaiʻi Rep. Ed Case Angers Democrats Over ‘Proof Of Citizenship’ Vote He was one of just four Democrats voting with all Republicans to pass the SAVE Act. Rep. Jill Tokuda calls the legislation an act of voter suppression.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Appear Poised To Crack Down On Pay-To-Play Politics The bill is heading to conference committee where some details still need to be hashed out between the House and the Senate.

Mayor Alameda Delivers State of the County Address

Off-Duty Firefighter Hears Desperate Cries and Saves Three Children Trapped Beneath Overturned Boat

Baker indicted in Puna triple homicide case

POTENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS FROM WHALE CARCASS OFF SOUTH SHORE OF MOLOKAʻI

New Puna and Kaʻū Community Energy Reports: Findings and Next Steps

Civil Defense Message

Hawaiʻi County Reminds Residents to Prepare for Storm Season as Hurricane Fausto Approaches

Hawaiian Electric monitoring Hurricane Fausto, preparing for possible impact

DOH CONFIRMS TWO ADDITIONAL TRAVEL-RELATED CASES OF CYCLOSPORIASIS IN HAWAIʻI RESIDENTS

Trapped in a Bathtub for Nine Days, 82-Year-Old Woman Survived With Faith, Determination, and One Remarkable Idea

Indian National Arrested in Hawaii for Role in Gold Bar Elder Fraud Scheme

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