News & Commentary
Latest Press Release
Oct 31, 2025
Hawaiʻi Federal Court Rules that FDA’s Restrictions on Medication Abortion are Unlawful
HONOLULU, HI – In an October 30 ruling, U.S. District Judge Jill Otake held that the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) imposition of medically unnecessary restrictions on the medication abortion pill, Mifepristone, violated federal law.
Apr 02, 2025
Midwife Bill Advances In Hawai'i Senate But Causes Confusion
Carrie Ann Shirota, policy director of the ACLU of Hawai'i weighs in.
Mar 25, 2025
Law Enforcement Officers Should Explain Why Arrests Are Necessary
A state Senate committee killed a bill to have cops explain why they make warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations.
Mar 24, 2025
New City And State Homeless Directors Face Monumental Task
At last count, homelessness rose in Hawaiʻi after falling for several years. But many in the service community say strong vision and a comprehensive plan can counterbalance high turnover in top positions.
Mar 21, 2025
Transgender Students Have Strong Protections In Hawaiʻi. That May Not Last
A private school on Maui is restricting transgender students’ access to bathrooms and sports teams. Some advocates are worried that more schools might follow.
Mar 18, 2025
Student Resource Officers (aka Cops) Will be Placed in DOE Schools
Students were more likely to be arrested on a campus with a school resource officer, according to Department of Education data.
Mar 03, 2025
$1 Billion Superjail Is No Solution For Reform, Housing, Public Health
Our criminal justice issues are primarily driven by an affordable housing and public health crisis.
Feb 28, 2025
Hawaii Senate Rejects Expansion Of Marijuana Decriminalization Law, While Broader Legalization Effort Appears Dead For The Year
Senators voted 12–11 against the decriminalization measure, SB 319, from Sen. Joy San Buenaventura (D) on Friday. There was no discussion or debate prior to the floor vote.
Feb 20, 2025
Legal Director, Wookie Kim, Weighs In On How Racism Is Common In Hawaiʻi Schools — And Often Goes Unaddressed
Nearly half of white high school students and more than half of Black students in the state said they’d experienced racism in schools, according to a federal survey recently pulled from the internet by Trump administration orders.
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