Chad Blair

Honolulu

Politics and Opinion Editor at Honolulu Civil Beat

Politics and opinion editor for @CivilBeat

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Articles

The Sunshine Blog: Palace Intrigue At Honolulu Hale

2 weeks ago | civilbeat.org | Chad Blair

Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawai‘i. Power struggle: The Sunshine Blog is probably not the only one wondering what the heck is up with Tommy Waters and his political cabal at the Honolulu City Council.
Jarrett Keohokalole Talks About HECO 'Sell-Out' And Condo Insurance Rescue

2 weeks ago | civilbeat.org | Chad Blair

Let The Sunshine In The Senate Commerce chair was in the middle of some of the Legislature’s most contentious issues. The Senate Commerce chair was in the middle of some of the Legislature’s most contentious issues. Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole is often at the center of critical and controversial issues at the Legislature, which last session included bills on condominium insurance, invasive species, Hawaiian Electric Co. and Hawaiian homelands.
Hawaiʻi Governor Targets Tax Credits, Asset Forfeiture Bills For Possible Veto

3 weeks ago | civilbeat.org | Chad Blair |Kevin Dayton

Also making the list are bills stipulating the labeling of Māmaki tea and making as yet unidentified line-item reductions to the state budget. Measures that would end tax credits for film production and amend the state law that allows law enforcement to seize property such as houses and cars in criminal investigations are under veto consideration by Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green.
Benefits Of Early Learning Extend Far Beyond Classroom

1 month ago | flipboard.com | Chad Blair

Former President Joe Biden makes first public appearance since cancer diagnosisFormer first lady Jill Biden and the former president's daughter Ashley posted photos of the family attending a high school graduation. Former President Joe Biden on Friday attended his grandson's high school graduation, marking his first public appearance since he announced last weekend that he was …
Maui’s STR Phaseout Could Provide Real Economic Benefits

1 month ago | civilbeat.org | Peter Sabonis |Chad Blair

The removal of short-term rentals in West Maui from the Minatoya list is not just a policy change — it’s a chance to reclaim community and secure a sustainable future. Maui County’s plan to phase out short-term rental use from the apartment zone is a critical step in reigning in rampant real estate speculation and extractive tourism policies that have prioritized profits for outside interests over locals’ essential needs.
Chief Justice Says He’ll Retire On High Note After Rare Legislative Success

1 month ago | civilbeat.org | Chad Blair

In his last year on the Supreme Court, Mark Recktenwald helped secure funding for Judiciary programs throughout Hawaiʻi. Forty-four years ago, the future leader of Hawaiʻi’s court system began his professional career in the islands working for the Legislature. The Harvard graduate was hired as a committee clerk by state Sen. Ann Kobayashi, then a Republican.
We Must Preserve The Human Rights Of Children Who Commit Crimes

1 month ago | civilbeat.org | Brett Peterson |Douglas Overbey |Chad Blair

The Hawaiʻi Legislature just passed bills that will lead to greater human rights protections for system-involved youth in Hawaiʻi. Too often vulnerable and abused children end up in our juvenile and adult criminal justice systems where they are subject to practices that run afoul of human rights norms. In Hawaiʻi, for example, there is no minimum age for when a child can be prosecuted in juvenile court.
Hawaiʻi Governor Creates National PAC To Support 'Pro-Science Candidates'

1 month ago | civilbeat.org | Chad Blair

Josh Green appeared with his Heal America political action committee partners while on a state-sponsored trip. At the same time that he was in Washington, D.C., at Hawaiʻi taxpayer expense opposing the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Gov.
Fossil Fuel Reduction Isn't Just About Electricity

1 month ago | civilbeat.org | Noel Morin |Chad Blair

Community Voice Transportation accounts for over a quarter of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation accounts for over a quarter of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. Civil Beat’s recent article, “Hawaiʻi’s Pledge To Free Itself From Fossil Fuel Hits New Roadblocks,” highlighted the mounting challenges we face in achieving our clean energy goals.
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.