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.

Jan 10, 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

Dec 01, 2025

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.

Nov 20, 2025

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.

Nov 17, 2025

Honolulu police officers accused of dodging court service in DUI lawsuit

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Three Honolulu police officers accused of wrongful DUI arrests are now facing allegations they deliberately avoided a process server in a class action lawsuit.

Nov 16, 2025

The Sunshine Interview: The Executive Director of ACLU Hawaiʻi

The group is engaged in a series of critical issues impacting the islands.

Salmah Rizvi, Executive Director and CEO, left, and Sergio Alcubilla, Director of Community Engagement at the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, are photographed Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, during an ed board meeting at Civil Beat in Honolulu. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025)

Nov 10, 2025

What’s Controversial? Teachers Grapple With Free Speech In Hawaiʻi Schools

A parent’s complaint after a class conversation about Charlie Kirk highlights the larger challenges schools face in teaching government and current events.

Nov 09, 2025

ACLU Hawaii hosts free event to honor milestone anniversary

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The American Civil Liberties Union celebrated 60 years of service in Hawaii with a free event on Sunday.

A screenshot of the People's Fair at Capitol Modern from Hawaii News Now's coverage

Nov 07, 2025

Internal memo warned that officers were arresting sober drivers for DUI, but practice continued

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A high-ranking Honolulu police officer warned the department that sober drivers were being arrested for DUI, but the practice continued despite the alert.

Nov 06, 2025

ICE raids in Hawaii

HONOLULU (Island News) -- ICE raids are happening across Hawaiʻi, more than most people know.

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