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


PRESS RELEASE - Hawaiʻi Legislators and Community Advocates Celebrate Landmark Immigrant Justice Laws and Honor Lives Lost to Immigration Enforcement

Hawaiʻi celebrates six landmark immigrant justice laws while honoring 64 lives lost to immigration enforcement.
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Stay informed on civil rights issues. Discover our latest actions and updates in the Press Release section.



ACLU Hawaii Expands Probe Into HPD Drunk Driving Arrests After More Drivers Come Forward

Review our Legal Director, Wookie Kim, explain the ongoing legal proceedings with Hawai'i News Now

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Members Have Voted: We Have Amended and Restated Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation

ACLU-HI received the requisite number of ballots needed to constitute a quorum for the adoption of changes.

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Honolulu Settles Lawsuit Over Arrest Of 10-Year-Old Black Girl

The city and the mother of the elementary school settled after the Ninth Circuit reversed in part the trial judge's ruling that the police officers weren't entitled to qualified immunity.

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Legislative Director, Carrie Ann Shirota, Weighs In On HR 9495

This bill allows government to unilaterally designate a nonprofit as "terrorist-supporting" and revoke its tax-exempt status.

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Jeff Hong Weighs In On Constitutional Amendment Passage

HONOLULU (KHON2) – The Vice President of the ACLU of Hawaii Board of Directors told KHON2 that he doesn’t believe a constitutional change will be challenged.

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ACLU Prepares To File Suit Against HPD, City Over Arrests Of Sober Drivers At DUI Checkpoints

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The American Civil Liberties Union is demanding the Honolulu Police Department change arrest policies at DUI checkpoints or face a lawsuit.

ACLU Hawai'i sues HPD

ACLU Calls Honolulu Police’s Arrest Of Visitor ‘Unconstitutional’

The American Civil Liberties Union is threatening legal action against the city and the Honolulu Police Department over the “unconstitutional” arrest of an impaired-driving suspect who tested negative for alcohol.

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Contaminated Water Reports Prompt ACLU To Request Tests At Arizona Prison

About 1,000 Hawaii prisoners are serving time at the privately operated Saguaro Correctional Center, and some inmates there report the water is making them ill.

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Vote On Proposed Changes To The Articles Of Incorporation And Bylaws Of The American Civil Liberties Union Of Hawai'i

Watch a short video explaining these changes: 

Bylaw changes