Lee Cataluna

Columnist at Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Staff Writer at Honolulu Civil Beat

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Articles

Lee Cataluna: Thank You, Mayor, For Doing What Needed To Be Done

2 weeks ago | civilbeat.org | Lee Cataluna

Column Mayor Rick Blangiardi was speaking for an angry public when he made Joe Logan retire as police chief. Mayor Rick Blangiardi was speaking for an angry public when he made Joe Logan retire as police chief. Pop quiz:Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan’s sudden announcement that he’s stepping down was surprising because:a) The Police Commission thought he was fabulous.
Honolulu Police Department Archives

3 weeks ago | civilbeat.org | Madeleine Valera |Caitlin Thompson |Lee Cataluna |Patti Epler

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Lee Cataluna: It Will Take More Than A Green Fee To Solve Tourism Problems

3 weeks ago | civilbeat.org | Lee Cataluna

Overtourism is creating issues beyond environmental damage. The new hotel room tax called the Green Fee (with the cute double meaning because it refers both to environmental causes and the governor’s last name) passed because it finally won the support of members of the Hawaiʻi hotel industry after years of the visitor industry fighting against the idea.
Lee Cataluna: Honoring Pidgin In Hawaiʻi Public Schools

1 month ago | civilbeat.org | Lee Cataluna

For the first time, the state Department of Education is recognizing Hawaiʻi Creole as a language worthy of biliteracy. When the Waipahu High School class of 2025 gathered for their graduation ceremony at the Stan Sheriff Center this week, 10 of the students wore medals among their academic regalia indicating their proficiency in what is commonly referred to in Hawaiʻi as Pidgin English.
Lee Cataluna: Is Prison Vigilante Justice The Best We Can Do With This Guy?

1 month ago | civilbeat.org | Lee Cataluna

Column When it comes to a serial road-rager, the court system has repeatedly failed to protect the public. When it comes to a serial road-rager, the court system has repeatedly failed to protect the public. By now, we’ve all seen the paparazzo picture of inmate Nathaniel Walter Radimak sitting in a wheelchair looking buss’ up and bloody after a beatdown at Hālawa Correctional Facility.
Lee Cataluna: Watershed Moment In Girls Sports Was Notable For Its Normalcy

1 month ago | civilbeat.org | Lee Cataluna

Column If you watched the first state championship game, you might have thought Hawaiʻi schools had always played flag football. If you watched the first state championship game, you might have thought Hawaiʻi schools had always played flag football. There have been so many blows dealt to the dream of equity and equality of late; so many reminders that progress is, despite our best efforts, not inevitable.
Lee Cataluna: Flying To LA On Hawaiian? Things Just Got A Lot Easier

1 month ago | civilbeat.org | Lee Cataluna

Column The dreaded trek for travelers from gate to baggage claim at LAX has come to an end. The dreaded trek for travelers from gate to baggage claim at LAX has come to an end. The agent at the Hawaiian Airlines bag check took custody of my overstuffed luggage and wished me well on my journey. She wasn’t referring to the flight home, though I feel confident that was included.
Lee Cataluna: This Teacher Provides College Scholarships. And So Much More

2 months ago | civilbeat.org | Lee Cataluna

Column Rod Maghsoudlou says he wants to give scholarships to 50 kids before he retires. He’s about halfway there. Rod Maghsoudlou says he wants to give scholarships to 50 kids before he retires. He’s about halfway there. Teacher Rod Maghsoudlou is taking a walk with a student when I get to Keʻelikōlani Middle School in downtown Honolulu at 7:15 a.m.He does this every morning with a different student.
Lee Cataluna: Saving Potlucks One JPEG At A Time

2 months ago | civilbeat.org | Lee Cataluna

Column A new website seeks to collect and preserve vintage cookbooks from generations of Hawaiʻi cooks. The women behind it would love your help. A new website seeks to collect and preserve vintage cookbooks from generations of Hawaiʻi cooks. The women behind it would love your help. These days, you may find yourself looking back and longing for simpler times.
Lee Cataluna: 'Aloha Isn't Always Being Nice. Aloha Is Being Real'

Mar 23, 2025 | civilbeat.org | Lee Cataluna

Kamaka Pili says the first step toward avoiding culture clashes is education. Kamaka Pili is on a journey. His lessons on Hawaiian culture are becoming ubiquitous, and his mix of academic research, gracious interviews and unguarded personal stories set him apart from most of the negativity and self-promotion of traditional and social media. His videos don’t come off as pedantic or hectoring or staged.