News & Commentary

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‘It’s about voices’: Hawaii organizations launch reading initiatives during Banned Books Week

By HNN Staff Published: Oct. 6, 2025 at 5:19 PM HST HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Organizations in Hawaii and across the country are observing Banned Books Week by calling attention to the dangers of censorship.

Latest Press Release

Oct 06, 2025

The Hawaiʻi Library Association and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi Launch Initiatives for “Freedom to Read” In Celebration of Intellectual Freedom

[Honolulu, Hawaiʻi] – The Hawaiʻi Library Association (“HLA”), with support from the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi (“ACLU HI”), is marking Banned Books Week 2025 with initiatives designed to celebrate the “Freedom to Read” and highlight why protecting access to stories and ideas is vital for Hawaii’s communities.
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Stay informed on civil rights issues. Discover our latest actions and updates in the Press Release section.

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Confessions could be thrown out because of new Hawaii Supreme Court ruling

By Lynn Kawano Published: Sep. 23, 2025 at 4:12 PM HST HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A decision by the state’s highest court means changes are coming for criminal investigations in Honolulu.
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Hawaiʻi Matters| 105.9 The Wave FM: Salmah Rizvi on ACLU of Hawaiʻi

Salmah Rizvi on ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Know Your Rights, Finding Resources, the 60th Anniversary People's Fair in November.

Jul 19, 2024

HPD Officers Who Handcuffed 10-Year-Old Can Be Sued For Using Excessive Force, Judges Rule

HPD Officers Who Handcuffed 10-Year-Old Can Be Sued For Using Excessive Force, Judges Rule

A cafeteria at Honowai Elementary School in Waipahu. (Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021)
Jul 08, 2024

How The Supreme Court's Sit-Lie Ban Could Impact Honolulu's Homeless Enforcement

How The Supreme Court's Sit-Lie Ban Could Impact Honolulu's Homeless Enforcement

Josh Green
May 27, 2024

Unsheltered In Hawaii with Mental Health Issues Could Be Assessed Involuntarily

Unsheltered In Hawaii With Mental Health Issues Could Be Assessed Involuntarily

Sharmane Botelho, left, embraced state Health Director Dr. Kenneth Fink on Tuesday at the Iwilei Resource Center.
May 08, 2024

Policy Director For The ACLU Of Hawaii Explains Opposition to Carceral Expansion In Hawai'i

Lawmakers Commit $94M To Update And Build New Jails

Oahu Jail
Apr 17, 2024

ACLU Supreme Court Houseless Win

ACLU Supreme Court Houseless Win

ACLU Supreme Court Win
Apr 16, 2024

Leeward Coast Closure - City Sweep of Houseless Camps

The ACLU urges Houseless Ordinances to be ruled illegal and unconstitutional in Circuit Court.

Leeward Coast Closure 04.16.2024
Apr 16, 2024

Change23 on Hawai'i News Now

Salmah Y. Rizvi, Executive Director of ACLU-HI Discusses the Change23 Coalition on Hawai'i News Now

Change 23 Hawai'i News Now
Mar 12, 2024

Lawmakers consider changes to state criminal record expungement process

ACLU of Hawai'i is part of the push this legislative session to improve the criminal record expungement process.

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Feb 15, 2024

Hawaii’s Still-Struggling Police Standards Board Could Add More Cops To The Oversight Panel

Civil rights advocates say that expanding the board with more police appointments will diminish input from community members.

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