Events
Upcoming & Ongoing Events
Community Action: Stop Bill 53 (Criminalizing Poverty on Oʻahu)
Join us in taking action to oppose Bill 53 (2026), Relating to Shopping Carts, before the Honolulu City Council on Thursday, November 5, at 10:00 AM.
Bill 53 would jail people for simply possessing a shopping cart, regardless of whether or not they stole it. This measure is unnecessary, as stealing and abandoning shopping carts is already illegal. Also, under the current bill language, folding metal handcarts commonly used by kūpuna to carry groceries home would be prohibited. Creating a new petty misdemeanor offense will do nothing to deter theft, but will further criminalize poverty and disproportionately impact people experiencing houselessness rather than address the root causes of these issues.
We need our community to speak up for solutions rooted in evidence, dignity, and compassion.
Nov 05, 2026 | 10:00 AM (HST)
Hawai’i Homelessness & Housing Conference 2026
Hawaii Homelessness & Housing Conference 2026
Join us at the Hawaii Homelessness & Housing Conference 2026, a critical gathering dedicated to addressing homelessness and housing insecurity across the islands. This year’s conference brings together advocates, service providers, policymakers, and community leaders to collaborate on innovative strategies, share research, and drive systemic solutions for housing equity in Hawaiʻi.
The ACLU of Hawaiʻi is proud to participate in this vital conversation. Don’t miss a compelling session featuring our Immigrants’ Rights Attorney, Leilani Stacy, and Legal Fellow, Monica Luat, as they share critical information on civil rights and preparedness for our immigrant communities.
Event Details:
Agenda – here
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026 and Friday, November 13, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Koʻolau Ballrooms & Conference Center (45-550 Kionaole Road, Kaneohe, HI 96744)
Featured Session Details:
Date & Time: Thursday, November 12, 2026 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Room: Makai Room
Track: Special Populations
Panel Title: Know Your Rights when Encountering ICE
Description:
What are your rights when encountering immigration enforcement? This session will cover what to do when interacting with federal immigration officers on the street, in an office, and in living spaces. In addition to focusing on the local context in Hawai‘i, this session will address how service providers and impacted individuals can prepare and build readiness for potential immigration enforcement. We will cover judicial vs. administrative arrest warrants, how to prepare a response plan, and leave plenty of time for questions and answers.
Speakers:
Leilani Stacy, Immigrants’ Rights Attorney, ACLU of Hawaiʻi
Monica Luat, Legal Fellow, ACLU of Hawaiʻi
Together, we can build a future where everyone in Hawaiʻi has a safe place to call home. Register today to secure your spot and join the movement for housing justice.
Nov 12, 2026 | 9:00 AM (HST)
Hawaiʻi Workers Center Victory Celebration!
Join the ACLU of Hawaiʻi on Nov. 13 for the Hawaiʻi Workers Center Victory Celebration in Honolulu. Stand up for workers’ rights!
Event Details
Date & Time: Friday, November 13, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: IBEW Local 1186, Room 306 (Akito “Blackie” Fujikawa Wing), 1935 Hau St, Honolulu, HI 96819
Theme: “Rise Up & Fight for Workers Rights!”
Activities: Cultural performances, awards presentation, heavy pupus / buffet dinner, and a raffle
Honorees: Includes IBEW Local 1186 (Certificate of Appreciation honoree) and the Campaign for Immigrant Justice
Tickets & Sponsorship: Tickets and sponsorship options are available via the Hawaiʻi Workers Center Ticket Page or by contacting [email protected]
Nov 13, 2026 | 5:00 PM (HST)
RSVP: Clean Slate Hawaiʻi Campaign Kick-Off & Press Conference
About This Event
Please join us for the launch of Clean Slate Hawaiʻi, a campaign to pass a record-shielding law for eligible Hawaiʻi residents. Our coalition is working to reduce barriers created by having a past record, and expand pathways to employment, housing, education, family stability, and opportunity.
Please plan to arrive at 9:30 am so you have time to check in before the program begins.
We’ll send registered attendees a reminder and any additional event information as November 17 approaches.
Accessibility, Transportation & Accommodations
Venue: The Arc of Hilo, 1099 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo. The venue is located in Hilo’s health corridor across from Hilo Medical Center.
Public transportation: The nearest Hele-On stop is Waianuenue Avenue @ Hilo Medical Center, Stop #133, served by Route 102 — Kaumana. The current weekday schedule includes a stop at approximately 9:24 a.m. Please confirm the Hele-On schedule closer to the event date in case of service changes.
Accessibility: The venue has wheelchair-accessible parking, an accessible entrance, and an accessible restroom. We want this gathering to be accessible and welcoming. If you need an accommodation to participate fully, such as accessible seating, assistance navigating the venue, communication access, or another support, please let us know on this form so we can do our best to accommodate your needs.
Photography & Media Notice
This is a public and media-facing campaign launch. Photographers, videographers, and members of the news media may be present, and general event photographs or footage may be captured.
Questions? Please contact us at [email protected].
RSVP – here
Nov 17, 2026 | 9:30 AM (HST)
Waiʻanae Expungement Clinic
Join us for a free community legal clinic dedicated to helping you clear your record and secure your future.
Presented by the ACLU of Hawaiʻi in partnership with local community organizations, the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary, the Office of the Public Defender, the UH Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law, and the Hawaiʻi Workers Center, this event offers free, vital legal resources directly to the Waiʻanae community.
Old or minor legal entanglements should not prevent you from securing stable housing, advancing your education, or finding meaningful employment. At this clinic, volunteer legal professionals will be on-site to assist community members with navigating the expungement process and addressing minor legal barriers safely and entirely free of charge.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) Main Campus
Address: 86-260 Farrington Hwy, Waiʻanae, HI 96792
Services Offered
Arrest Record Expungement: Assistance clearing qualified, non-conviction arrest records.
Bench Warrant Recalls: Help resolving outstanding district court bench warrants safely.
Streamlined Legal Support: Take advantage of an automated expungement tool developed by the UH law school to significantly accelerate your application processing.
Attendee Logistics & Information
Parking: Free public visitor parking is available throughout the WCCHC campus.
Capacity: The venue accommodates up to 230 participants. Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Nov 21, 2026 | 10:00 AM (HST)
Past Events
Faith & Politics — Difficult Conversations on the Rise of Christian Nationalism
Defending our civil liberties means confronting the forces that seek to undermine them.
Join the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, alongside our partners at The Interfaith Alliance Hawai’i, Faith in Action, and Mindful Hawai’i, for a critical community panel discussion: “Faith & Politics: Difficult Conversations on the Rise of Christian Nationalism.”
Together, we will explore the rise of Christian Nationalism, its threat to religious freedom and democratic institutions, and how we can protect pluralism in our communities.
🗓️ Event Details
Date: Thursday, October 29
Doors Open: 5:30 p.m.
Program: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
RSVP: bit.ly/faithandpolitics2026
Oct 29, 2026 | 5:30 PM (HST)
Clean Slate Coalition Meeting
The ACLU of Hawaiʻi is proud to stand alongside community partners, faith leaders, and directly impacted families as a founding member of the Clean Slate Hawaiʻi coalition. As we prepare for the crucial 2027 legislative push to pass an automated record-shielding law, we are inviting our members and local advocates to join the campaign’s very first coalition meeting.
Event Details
Event: Clean Slate Hawaiʻi Coalition Meeting
Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Our Goal: Learn why this campaign is a critical pillar of our pretrial and penal code reform efforts, what legislative strategy lies ahead, and how you can take action.
Why the ACLU of Hawaiʻi is Fighting for Clean Slate
Our current criminal legal system creates a permanent underclass by trapping people in a cycle of poverty long after they have completed their sentences. In Hawaiʻi, a criminal record acts as a lifelong barrier to basic needs like safe housing, steady employment, and higher education.
We believe that wealth should not determine freedom, and past mistakes should not dictate a person’s future. By implementing an automated record-shielding system, Hawaiʻi can remove these systematic hurdles, uphold true constitutional rights, and ensure that individuals who have earned their second chance can fully support their families and uplift our communities.
How to Take Action
This inaugural meeting is your chance to get on the ground floor of a major civil rights victory. Attendees will receive a briefing on the campaign’s upcoming milestones, including the state task force’s November report and our coordination strategies for the 2027 legislative session. Register now
Oct 28, 2026 | 6:00 PM (HST)
Refuse Fascism – Trump’s War on Dissent — and the Fight to Defy It
Event Title
Panel Discussion: Trump’s War on Dissent — and the Fight to Defy It
Event Description
The right to speak out, organize, and peaceably assemble is under historic pressure. Across the nation, federal mechanisms—from executive directives to political prosecutions—are increasingly being leveraged to suppress dissent, equate advocacy with domestic terrorism, and intimidate communities into silence.
Join the ACLU of Hawaiʻi and national allies for a critical look at this escalating repression, what it takes to defend those under attack, and how we can safeguard local organizing and uphold First Amendment protections.
This event listing features a recorded panel discussion originally broadcasted live on October 25, 2026.
Featured Speakers
Sergio Alcubilla – Director of Community Engagement at the ACLU of Hawaiʻi
Robert Held – President of the Chicago Council of Lawyers
Will Potter – Investigative Journalist
Drew Harmon – Minnesota 50501
Event Details & Logistics
Date / Original Broadcast: Sunday, October 25, 2026
Location: Virtual (Available on YouTube and Substack)
Host Organization: Refuse Fascism
Oct 26, 2026 | 6:00 PM (HST)
Honolulu Pride
Honolulu Pride 2026: Schedule & Details
Theme: Hoʻomau: Pride that Endures & Thrives
Dates: October 14 – October 18, 2026
ACLU of Hawaiʻi Presence: Festival Booth & Parade Marchers
Sign up to volunteer: here
🗓️ SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 (MAIN EVENTS)
Honolulu Pride Parade
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM 2:30PM meet up time
Location/Route: Starts at Magic Island and proceeds down Kalākaua Avenue through Waikīkī.
Address: 1201 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814
Admission: Free and open to the public. Come cheer on the ACLU of Hawaiʻi contingent!
Honolulu Pride Festival
Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell & Diamond Head Greens
Admission: Free (VIP tickets available separately).
Address: Waikīkī Shell 2805 Monsarrat Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Details: Features over 70 community booths, live local music, food vendors, and a dedicated Deaf/Allies space with ASL access. Be sure to stop by the ACLU of Hawaiʻi booth for resources and advocacy gear.
Official Honolulu Pride Website: here
📅 HONOLULU PRIDE WEEK AT A GLANCE
Oct 14 (Wed): Kick-Off Pau Hana | International Market Place | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Oct 15 (Thu): Pride Concert ft. Big Freedia | Hawaiʻi Theatre Center
Oct 16 (Fri): Official Opening Party | Scarlet Honolulu | 10:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Oct 17 (Sat): Pride Parade & Festival (Details above)
Oct 17 (Sat): Official After Party | Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand | 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Oct 18 (Sun): Pride Drag Brunch | ʻAlohilani Resort | 11:00 AM
Oct 18 (Sun): “Hangover” Closing Party | Location TBA
Oct 17, 2026 | 2:30 PM (HST)
No Dictators: Vote Early [Hawai‘i State Capitol, Honolulu]
Event Details
Hawaiʻi State Capitol
Location: 415 S Beretania St, Honolulu, HI 96813
Date & Time: October 17, 2026 (Check local Mobilize Page for exact morning/afternoon timing updates)
Focus: Nonpartisan voter registration checks, absentee ballot preparation, and making a plan to vote early.
St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (Waiʻanae / Kapolei area)
Location: 85-787 Farrington Hwy, Waiʻanae, HI 96792
Date & Time: October 17, 2026
Focus: Community voter education alongside open food distribution shelves
About the Movement
We decide who represents us. We decide what comes next.
For more than a year, millions of people have come together to reject the idea that power belongs to kings, billionaires, or politicians who believe they are above the people and the law.
Now, we are taking the next step, turning people power into voter power. Unlike previous No Kings actions, No Dictators: Vote Early, is not purely a protest. Instead, on October 17th, it’s a day of nonpartisan voter participation: we are bringing our community together to make a plan to vote early and ensuring every eligible voter understands their options for how to vote and has the opportunity to make their voice heard.
Because no one person gets to decide our leaders before voters do. On October 17th, join us in local events across the country as we get out the early vote and say it loud: no thrones, no crowns, no dictators.
*No Dictators: Vote Early events are nonpartisan and are designed to increase participation from all eligible voters.
A core principle behind all No Dictators events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.
Accessibility
This event meets ADA standards
Oct 17, 2026 | 11:00 AM (HST)
REAL TALK: Labor and Immigration Panel
Event Overview
Event Title: REAL TALK: Labor and Immigration Panel
Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM (Doors open at 5:00 PM for food/sign-in)
Location: IBEW 1186, 1935 Hau Street, Honolulu, HI, 96819
Presented By: Center for Labor Education and Research (CLEAR) at University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu
Co-Sponsors: ACLU Hawaiʻi, UNITE HERE! Local 5, Hawaiʻi Workers Center, UFCW 480, IBEW Local 1186, Pride at Work, University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, Oʻahu Rapid Response Coalition (ORRC), UPW Hawaii, ALU, and Ira Gottlieb.
Speakers & Panelists
Moderator: Professor Osman Keshawarz (Labor Economist, CLEAR)
Panelists:
Kim Cordova – President of UFCW Local 7 & Vice President of UFCW International (speaking on the historic March 2026 JBS strike)
Kieran F. Knutson – President of CWA Local 7250
Liza Ryan Gill – Executive Director of the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigration Rights
Featured Artist: Darron Cambra (Teacher, Poet)
Hosts: Dr. Dion Dizon (CLEAR Director) & Ellen-Rae Cachola (CLEAR Librarian & Archivist)
Agenda
5:00 PM – Doors Open (Sign in and make a plate!)
5:30 PM – Welcome & Introductions
5:45 PM – Poetry/Performance by Darron Cambra
5:50 PM – Moderated Panel Discussion: Worker Solidarity, Immigration Protections & Collective Action
7:00 PM – Q&A Session
7:30 PM – Pau and clean up
Oct 16, 2026 | 5:00 PM (HST)
No Kings Coalition: Know Your Federal Voting Rights on 10/14
Ensuring every eligible American can exercise their right to vote freely, safely, and without intimidation during these elections will take all of us. On Wednesday, October 14th at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT / 3PM HST, join the No Kings Coalition for a Know Your Federal Voting Rights Training. We’ll cover our federal voting rights, potential barriers to voter participation, and ways you can access disability-related accommodations and language assistance at the polls.
Oct 14, 2026 | 3:00 PM (HST)
HoMA – The Librarians
Director: Kim A. Snyder
Duration: 88 min
Year: 2025
Register – here
Admission to this film is free with registration, courtesy of the Hawaiʻi Library Association, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi, Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Association of School Librarians, and University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library & Information Science Program.
If you thought libraries wouldn’t make dramatic subject matter for a documentary, this film will change your mind. America’s war on books is about more than words. Librarians are being criminally investigated and arrested. In this moving—and shocking—look at the government’s attack on librarians, these individuals who are traditionally seen as mild-mannered pillars of communities across the country emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment Rights. As they well know, controlling the flow of ideas means control over communities.
In Texas, the Krause List targets 850 books focused on race and LGBTQia+ stories—it hastriggered sweeping book bans across the US at an unprecedented rate. As tensions escalate, librarians connect the dots from heated school and library board meetings nationwide to lay bare the underpinnings of extremism fueling the censorship efforts. Despite facing harassment, threats, and laws aimed at criminalizing their work—the librarians’ rallying cry for freedom to read is a chilling cautionary tale.
Post-screening discussion with Stacey Aldrich (State Librarian, Hawaiʻi State Public Library System), Danielle Fujii (School Librarian, Kalaheo High School; Former President of the Hawaiʻi Association of School Librarians), and Leilani Stacy (Immigrants’ Rights Attorney, ACLU of Hawaiʻi) to follow. Moderated by Jenny Foster (State Law Librarian, and former President of both the Hawaiʻi Library Association and the American Association of Law Libraries).
Oct 04, 2026 | 2:00 PM (HST)
Every Story Matters: Celebrating the Freedom to Read in Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi is celebrating “Every Story Matters Week” from October 4–10, 2026, to champion intellectual freedom and the freedom to read. Coinciding with the American Library Association’s national Banned Books Week, this statewide initiative brings together the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Association of School Librarians, the Hawaiʻi Library Association, and the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System to encourage community dialogue and highlight diverse perspectives.
Oct 04, 2026 | 12:00 AM (HST)
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