Matthew Leonard Journalist Profile

Articles

That officer pulling you over may soon be a Hawaii deputy sheriff

Jan 9, 2025 | thederrick.com | Kevin Dayton |Matthew Leonard
That officer pulling you over may soon be a Hawaii deputy sheriff

Jan 9, 2025 | apnews.com | Kevin Dayton |Matthew Leonard

The state of Hawaiʻi is looking to get into the traffic patrol business. Unlike other states, Hawaiʻi generally leaves it to the counties to almost exclusively enforce traffic laws. But now lawmakers are being asked to authorize a new traffic enforcement unit staffed with two dozen state deputy sheriffs to help patrol Oahu highways and enforce regulations on commercial vehicles.
That officer pulling you over may soon be a Hawaii deputy sheriff

Jan 9, 2025 | caledonianrecord.com | Kevin Dayton |Matthew Leonard

The state of Hawaiʻi is looking to get into the traffic patrol business. Unlike other states, Hawaiʻi generally leaves it to the counties to almost exclusively enforce traffic laws. But now lawmakers are being asked to authorize a new traffic enforcement unit staffed with two dozen state deputy sheriffs to help patrol Oahu highways and enforce regulations on commercial vehicles.
Honolulu plane crash exposes Hawaii’s fragile air cargo infrastructure

Dec 19, 2024 | wacotrib.com | Matthew Leonard |Brittany Lyte

The crash of a Kamaka Air plane in Honolulu Tuesday has again exposed the fragility of the state’s interisland transport infrastructure and left neighbor island residents temporarily without an essential service. Two men died when a Cessna 208B struck an unoccupied building on the perimeter of Daniel K. Inouye International Airport at approximately 3:15 p.m. Tuesday in Honolulu. The aircraft had narrowly missed an aviation fuel farm and the Delta Airlines cargo area.
How a Grassroots Lahaina Fundraiser Found a Better Way to Help Fire Survivors

Jun 20, 2024 | philanthropy.com | Matthew Leonard

A Maui wildfire fundraiser created by three local volunteers within days of the disaster has now distributed nearly $780,000 to displaced families. While that’s a small portion of the tens of millions raised via online fundraising campaigns, the Help Maui Rise fund has drawn praise for its transparency and a commitment to disbursing donations more equitably by using data.
How a grassroots Lahaina fundraiser found a better way to help fire survivors

Jun 10, 2024 | caledonianrecord.com | Matthew Leonard

By MATTHEW LEONARD/Honolulu Civil Beat - Honolulu Civil Beat HONOLULU (AP) - A Maui wildfire fundraiser created by three local volunteers within days of the disaster has now distributed nearly $780,000 to displaced families. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
How a grassroots Lahaina fundraiser found a better way to help fire survivors

Jun 10, 2024 | tulsaworld.com | Matthew Leonard

HONOLULU (AP) — A Maui wildfire fundraiser created by three local volunteers within days of the disaster has now distributed nearly $780,000 to displaced families. While that’s a small portion of the tens of millions raised via online fundraising campaigns, the Help Maui Rise fund has drawn praise for its transparency and a commitment to disbursing donations more equitably by using data.
The Clock Is Ticking For Hawaii To Commit Its Remaining Federal Coronavirus Funds

Mar 24, 2024 | civilbeat.org | Matthew Leonard |Matthew Leonard

The unparalleled flow of dollars from the U.S. Treasury has created both challenges and opportunities for local government. The state of Hawaii and the counties have until the end of the year to obligate up to $400 million in federal funds meant to alleviate the impacts of Covid-19 and support economic recovery, or face returning it.
Thousands In Hawaii With Arrest Records For Marijuana Possession Could Have Them Expunged

Mar 6, 2024 | ourcommunitynow.com | Matthew Leonard
FEMA To Overhaul Its Disaster Aid System After Decades Of Criticism

Jan 28, 2024 | civilbeat.org | Matthew Leonard

The agency will offer upfront cash payments to disaster survivors and slash some of its infamous red tape. Editor’s note: This story by staff writer Jake Bittel was published with permission from Grist. Sign up for Grist’s weekly newsletter here. As thousands waited on federal government assistance after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, New Orleans residents came up with their own nickname for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.