Chad Blair

Honolulu

Politics and Opinion Editor at Honolulu Civil Beat

Politics and opinion editor for @CivilBeat

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Articles

Hawaiʻi Governor Creates National PAC To Support 'Pro-Science Candidates'

4 days 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

6 days 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 week 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 Kyle Yamashita has been replaced by Rep.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.
Yamashita Ousted As Chair Of State House Finance Committee

1 week ago | flipboard.com | Chad Blair

8 hours agoPresident Trump promised that during his presidency gasoline prices would drop and U.S. oil production would boom. One of those things is happening. Prices at the pump have indeed gone down, largely because the price of crude oil has dropped by nearly 25% since the start of January. West Texas …
How To Change The Pay-To-Play Culture in Hawaiʻi? Here Are Some Ideas

1 week ago | civilbeat.org | Richard Wiens |Patti Epler |Chad Blair

There’s still hope for much-needed reforms, but face it: There’ll be no help from legislative leaders. The regular session of the 2025 Hawaiʻi Legislature is over, and there can be no more pretending. Overcoming the dysfunction that plagues the Legislature and the wider tarpit of corruption that mars Hawaiʻi politics can be accomplished only by going around the current legislative leaders who block genuine reform efforts at every turn.
In Last-Minute Drama, Legislature Shelves Bill To Ban Assault Weapons

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

The legislation was opposed by gun-rights advocates who warned that hunters and Native Hawaiians would be harmed by the restrictions. Just five days ago Hawaiʻi legislative conference committees approved a bill that would ban high-powered semiautomatic rifles and shotguns with military features that can fire multiple rounds rapidly.
The Sunshine Blog: Many Bills Left For Dead In Conference Committee Crunch

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. Partial public uncertainty: Did they or didn’t they? As of the 6 p.m. deadline Friday for bills to pass, it was unclear whether there would be an increase to the state’s partial public financing program for political candidates. House Bill 370, which sought to boost the amount of money going into the program, is dead, but Rep.
Lawmakers agree to pay $807 million into Lahaina wildfires settlement fund

3 weeks ago | apnews.com | Chad Blair

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.
Lawmakers Agree To Pay $807 Million Into Lahaina Wildfires Settlement Fund

3 weeks ago | civilbeat.org | Chad Blair

The legislation is part of a $4 billion deal that includes money from HECO, Kamehameha Schools and others. It’s not often that applause breaks out in the audience after a vote at the Hawaiʻi Legislature, but that happened Tuesday afternoon. The measure was House Bill 1001, and the subject was settling claims related to the August 2023 Maui wildfires.
Hawaiʻi County Moves To Adopt Nepotism Rules For Government Employees

3 weeks ago | civilbeat.org | Chad Blair

A lot of people know each other on the Big Island, and thatʻs all the more reason to be above reproach, a council member says. It was an awkward moment for the Hawaiʻi County Council. Last week, the nine-member board was considering the mayor’s nomination of Rebecca “Kawehi” Inaba to serve on the island’s Leeward Planning Commission. The discomfort had nothing to do with her qualifications, experience or reputation.