News & Commentary
Latest Press Release
Jan 14, 2026
ACLU Hawai‘i Files Lawsuit to Free Hawai‘i Island Resident from Unlawful Immigration Detention
HONOLULU, HI – On January 13, 2026, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi (“ACLU of Hawai‘i”) filed a habeas immigration petition in federal court, seeking the release of Juan Jose Estrada Lopez, a Hawai‘i island resident and husband. At his green card interview in August 2025, he was ripped away from his family and community and locked up at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center. He has been detained there ever since—even though he has committed no crime.
Jul 21, 2020
HPD responds to racial and wealth disparities in data letter
In early July, our Legal Director sent a letter to HPD asking them to implement reform to address racial and wealth disparities in policing. Here's what HPD replied.
Jul 13, 2020
Watch the Honolulu Prosecutor Candidate Forum recordings (ASL included)
View the recording and ASL interpretation of the Honolulu Prosecutor Candidate Forum from July 9.
Jul 05, 2020
ACLU of Hawai‘i asks HPD to implement reform to address wealth and racial disparities
On Sunday, July 6, 2020, our Legal Director Mateo Caballero sent a letter to HPD asking them to implement reform to address racial and wealth disparities.
Apr 07, 2020
ACLU of Hawaii's COVID-19 webinar featuring public health experts
A recording of our April 7, 2020 webinar on our COVID-19 actions.
Apr 06, 2020
A letter to our supporters about COVID-19
A letter from our Executive Director Joshua Wisch to our supporters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Joshua Wisch
Aug 05, 2019
ACLU of Hawai‘i calls on DOE to use alternatives to out-of-school suspensions: "You can end this today"
The ACLU of Hawai‘i sent open letters to 15 DOE superintendents urging them to seek out alternatives to out-of-school suspensions.
Jul 10, 2019
Demand letter: As TMT issue ramps up, state must reassure public that LRAD "Sound Cannon" will not be used as a weapon against demonstrators
In July 2019, the ACLU of Hawai‘i learned that the state purchased a long-range acoustic device to use at Mauna Kea demonstrations. We wrote a letter to law enforcement demanding the state reassure the public that the LRAD would not be used.
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