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

Aug 12, 2026

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.

More from the Press

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

Aug 14, 2020

How receiving Hormone Replacement Therapy before I was 18 let me be myself

Our former plaintiff Kellin Ketchum shares his story receiving Hormone Replacement Therapy before turning 18.

By Kellin Ketchum

Aug 01, 2020

Voting In Hawaii With a Criminal Conviction

Here is the low-down on voting with a criminal record in Hawai‘i.

By acluhawaii

Jul 22, 2020

Watch the Hawai‘i Island Prosecutor Forum

On Thursday, July 16, 2020 at 6pm, the ACLU of Hawai‘i and HuliHIA hosted a virtual Hawai‘i Island Prosecutor Candidate Forum.

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.

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