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


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.

'We have to push back,' ACLU president on mission to uphold civil liberties

For more than 100 years, the mission of the American Civil Liberties Union has remained the same: protect and uphold the civil liberties enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

'We have to push back,' ACLU president on mission to uphold civil liberties

ACLU files petition for Hawaii farm worker in federal detention

The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii has filed a petition in U.S. District Court seeking the release of a 42-year-old Captain Cook man who has been incarcerated without charges or bail at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu.

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Feds investigating Hawaii's public school system over transgender sports policies

HONOLULU (Island News) -- A federal investigation into the state Department of Education's policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in school sports is riling activists in Hawaii.

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'No secret police' bill is high on ACLU's list of Hawaiʻi legislative priorities

Immigration, bail reform, and protecting gender-affirming care will be the top priorities for the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi this legislative session.

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ACLU Hawaii reveals upcoming 2026 legislative plan

HONOLULU (KHON2) — ACLU of Hawaii announced its 2026 legislative priorities in a press conference on Jan. 12.

Salmah Y. Rizvi shares ACLU-HI's 2026 Legislative Plans

ACLU Hawaii urges immigrant protections as legislative session approaches

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - ACLU of Hawaii laid out Monday its top priorities for state legislators to address ahead of the 2026 legislative session.

Mandy Fernandes shares ACLU-HI's top legislative priorities for 2026

Candlelight vigil honors woman killed by ICE officer in Minnesota

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow/AP) - Dozens gathered in downtown Honolulu Friday night to honor a woman who was shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis earlier this week.

Community vigil honors the life of Renee Nicole Good

Trans Community Hits New Barriers To Gender-Affirming Care In Hawaiʻi

Even before President Donald Trump took office, transgender patients in Hawaiʻi were struggling to get insurance to cover some treatments. Now it’s getting worse.

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Hawai‘i DOE Wants $83,000 To Provide Data On Gender Equity In Schools

DOE has recently stepped up its oversight of high school sports, but parents say they want more information on how female athletes are treated.

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