News & Commentary

ACLU of Hawaiʻi attorney Leilani Stacy has filed several winning habeas petitions. (Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026)

Locked Up Too Long? Legal Tactic Challenges Hawaiʻi ICE Detentions

Joaquin David Rico-Tapia had been held at Honolulu’s Federal Detention Center for six weeks when his attorney filed a special petition last September arguing he had been illegally detained as his deportation case went forward.

Latest Press Release

Apr 10, 2026

Community Advocates and U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda Show Support for Survivors and Demand Accountability and Compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act

HONOLULU, HI – U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda joined community advocates from the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi (“ACLU of HI”) and Indivisible Hawaiʻi Statewide Network in delivering a message of support to the survivors of the Epstein crimes.
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Stay informed on civil rights issues. Discover our latest actions and updates in the Press Release section.

Aug 09, 2024

Executive Director Of ACLU Hawaiʻi Weighs In On Efforts to End Homelessness

Update On Efforts to End Homelessness

Update On Efforts to End Homelessness
Aug 08, 2024

ACLU Hawaiʻi Comments On How HPD Releases Only A Small Fraction Of Body Camera Videos Of Their Deadly Encounters

ACLU Hawaiʻi Comments On How HPD Releases Only A Small Fraction Of Body Camera Videos Of Their Deadly Encounters

Bodycamera
Aug 08, 2024

The Executive Director Of ACLU Hawai'i Weighs In On The ACLU's Lawsuit Against A Washington State City Over Its Anti-Homeless Laws After A Landmark Supreme Court Ruling

The Executive Director Of ACLU Hawai'i Weighs In On The ACLU's Lawsuit Against A Washington State City Over Its Anti-Homeless Laws After A Landmark Supreme Court Ruling

Washington houseless
Jul 26, 2024

Green Has Historic Opportunity To Build Community Safety

Green Has Historic Opportunity To Build Community Safety

hawaii prison
Jul 19, 2024

HPD Officers Who Handcuffed 10-Year-Old Can Be Sued For Using Excessive Force, Judges Rule

HPD Officers Who Handcuffed 10-Year-Old Can Be Sued For Using Excessive Force, Judges Rule

A cafeteria at Honowai Elementary School in Waipahu. (Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021)
Jul 08, 2024

How The Supreme Court's Sit-Lie Ban Could Impact Honolulu's Homeless Enforcement

How The Supreme Court's Sit-Lie Ban Could Impact Honolulu's Homeless Enforcement

Josh Green
May 27, 2024

Unsheltered In Hawaii with Mental Health Issues Could Be Assessed Involuntarily

Unsheltered In Hawaii With Mental Health Issues Could Be Assessed Involuntarily

Sharmane Botelho, left, embraced state Health Director Dr. Kenneth Fink on Tuesday at the Iwilei Resource Center.
May 08, 2024

Policy Director For The ACLU Of Hawaii Explains Opposition to Carceral Expansion In Hawai'i

Lawmakers Commit $94M To Update And Build New Jails

Oahu Jail
Apr 17, 2024

ACLU Supreme Court Houseless Win

ACLU Supreme Court Houseless Win

ACLU Supreme Court Win