Blaze Lovell, Honolulu Civil Beat Journalist Profile

Articles

Thirty Meter Telescope Archives

2 weeks ago | civilbeat.org | Kevin Dayton |Cassie Ordonio |Blaze Lovell |Tom Hasslinger

The 2019 protests helped convince Hawaii’s leaders they needed a new approach to managing Mauna Kea, which would be the site of the TMT. The National Science Foundation also said it plans to host four meetings on the Big Island in August as it decides on whether to fund the project.
Movies And TV Shows Left Hawaiʻi. The Workers Followed

4 weeks ago | civilbeat.org | Alani Calderon |Blaze Lovell

With the loss of productions came a decline in film jobs and spending in the state. After wrapping work on “Lilo & Stitch” last March, Jason Fitzgerald packed up his life in Hawai‘i and moved to Atlanta – not by choice, but out of necessity. With no new productions coming up and his savings rapidly being depleted, the longtime lighting technician said staying in the islands became impossible for his family.
Movies And TV Shows Left Hawaiʻi. The Workers Followed

4 weeks ago | flipboard.com | Blaze Lovell

6 hours agoThe 'Late Show' host wasn't having any of it. Taylor Swift has become the latest celebrity for Donald Trump to have a tantrum about, and Stephen Colbert isn't having any of it. During Monday's Late Show, the host brought up a recent Truth Social post in which the President of the United States wrote …
Army Proposes Downsizing Its Training Grounds On Oʻahu

4 weeks ago | civilbeat.org | Blaze Lovell

Leased lands the military proposes turning back over to the state have mostly been used for aviation training. The U.S. Army signaled its intent to return to the state the vast majority of lands on Oʻahu it currently leases for training, according to recently submitted environmental documents.
Is The Military In For A Wake-Up Call As Hawaiʻi Leases Near End?

1 month ago | civilbeat.org | Blaze Lovell |Thomas Heaton

The state’s rejection of the U.S. Army’s environmental assessment of impacts of its training may foreshadow the future, one some Native Hawaiians say won’t be smooth sailing. Longtime Hawaiian activist Walter Ritte beamed with pride last week while watching throngs of people tear into the U.S. Army’s latest bid to retain use of a large swath of the Big Island known as the Pōhakuloa Training Area.
Developer Wants To Use Hawaiian Home Lands Powers To Skirt Zoning Rules

1 month ago | civilbeat.org | Blaze Lovell

Land swap could clear the way for commercial development on land set aside for housing. Commissioners say it’s worth it for the revenue. In a land-swapping version of musical chairs, a developer wants to buy former agricultural land in ʻEwa, donate it to the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, then lease it back to build a commercial center.
An Inside Look At The Sudden Shake-Up In House Leadership

1 month ago | civilbeat.org | Kevin Dayton |Blaze Lovell

After replacing Finance Committee chair Kyle Yamashita, Chris Todd promises to reform how the House handles money bills. Conflicting versions have emerged of why one of the most powerful positions in the House of Representatives suddenly changed hands this week. But regardless of how Rep. Chris Todd came to replace Rep. Kyle Yamashita as chair of the Finance Committee, the repercussions were immediate.
Yamashita Ousted As Chair Of State House Finance Committee

1 month ago | civilbeat.org | Chad Blair |Blaze Lovell |Kevin Dayton

Lawmakers say Democrats were disappointed with his leadership, especially with the Hawaiʻi Legislature facing financial uncertainty from Trump. One of the most powerful people in the Hawaiʻi Legislature was removed from his leadership position late Tuesday. House Speaker Nadine Nakamura told the 51-member House in a memo that Rep. Kyle Yamashita has been replaced by Rep. Chris Todd to lead the powerful House Finance Committee. The change is effective Wednesday.
Progress Report: Help With Housing Continues To Elude The Hawaiian Community

1 month ago | civilbeat.org | Blaze Lovell

The Legislature rejected most of the Hawaiian advocates proposals to put more money and initiatives to help get people off the waitlist. De Mont Kalai Manaole has been the caretaker for vacant Hawaiian homelands in Nānākuli since December. The lot used to be a dumping ground, but the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands wants Manaole to use it as an experiment for getting indigent Hawaiians into homesteads.
Years Of Shortchanging Elections Led To Honolulu's Long Voter Lines

1 month ago | messenger-inquirer.com | Blaze Lovell |Ben Angarone

Honolulu, HI (Honolulu Civil Beat)After experiencing long Election Day lines in 2020, city officials thought they knew how to fix them. Their efforts fell short. In May 2021, city clerk Glen Takahashi stood before the Honolulu City Council in a hearing to explain why he should keep his job.