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


ACLU of Hawaiʻi Welcomes New Community Field and Marianita Lopez Executive Fellows

ACLU of Hawaiʻi welcomes two new fellows bringing fresh perspectives and experience to advance civil rights, community advocacy, and organizing across the islands.
CT ZJ

More from the Press


Placeholder image

Stay informed on civil rights issues. Discover our latest actions and updates in the Press Release section.



Two-Thirds of Voters Want to Stop the Expansion of For-Profit Immigrant Detention

The administration should listen to the voters and end its misguided pursuit of new detention contracts with for-profit, private prison corporations.

GEO and ICE grievance boxes at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center.

Timeline: How Law Enforcement Fueled Violence in Kenosha

An ACLU investigation illustrates how law enforcement failed to protect protesters and amplified tensions on August 25, 2020.

A collage of sheriff images at protests and text message evidence from the night of the 2020 Kenosha protests.

The True Measure of Justice for Ahmaud Arbery Goes Beyond the Courtroom

Measuring progress solely by the outcome of trials risks both ignoring the importance of greater systemic change and compromising fairness in the criminal legal system.

Painted mural of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, Georgia after he was shot and killed in February 2020.

Kyle Rittenhouse Didn’t Act Alone: Law Enforcement Must Be Held Accountable

The massive show of force from 40 law enforcement agencies in Kenosha didn’t make anyone safer.

Police in riot gear stand outside the Kenosha County Court House

My Life Was Derailed By a Traffic Ticket

A minor infraction cost me my driver’s license, my job, thousands of dollars, and over a decade entangled with a system that punishes poverty.

Traffic violation on a windshield.

10 Things to Know about Combating Violence in America

As communities grapple with violent crime, calls for more police have increased. Here's why policing isn't the solution to violence, and some viable alternatives.

Protesters hold a banner calling for investment in communities, not the police

Kimberlé Crenshaw on Teaching the Truth About Race in America

A pioneering scholar of Critical Race Theory joins us to discuss the true meaning of the practice, and how it became a political flashpoint in schools and beyond.

Kimberlé Crenshaw gives presentation at podium with "Intersectionality" and "celebrate differences" sign behind her.

Know Your Rights

SECURITY CULTURE/KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

ACLU graphic "Know your rights"

10 Questions for the next Maui Police Chief

A letter from the ACLU of Hawaiʻi to the Maui Police Commission with ten questions that may help in selecting their new police chief. Document with links attached

graphic for ACLUʻs article on 10 questions for Mauiʻs next chief of police