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Police Accountability in Hawai‘i: Building True and Meaningful Community Safety
What does true community safety look like in Hawai‘i? Join the ACLU of Hawai‘i and the Policing Project at NYU School of Law for a panel discussion on police accountability and building a community-led vision for a safer Hawai‘i.
Moderated by Kelly McConney Moore (Policing Project Deputy Director of Legislation), this conversation brings together Wookie Kim (ACLU-HI Legal Director) and Josh Parker (Policing Project Deputy Director of Policy) to share their expertise.
Food and drinks will be served.
Jan 15, 2026 | 5:30 PM
ACLU Hawaii reveals upcoming 2026 legislative plan
HONOLULU (KHON2) — ACLU of Hawaii announced its 2026 legislative priorities in a press conference on Jan. 12.
2026 Legislative Priorities
As the 2026 legislative session approaches, the ACLU of Hawai‘i's Policy Team has selected informed legislative priorities that advocate for those who have had their rights infringed upon by the state and federal government while fighting against democratic backslide into authoritarianism.
Immigration Memorandums of Understanding
After the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” that allocates substantial resources into immigration enforcement along with the dramatic increase in immigration arrests in Hawaiʻi, the ACLU of Hawai‘i (“ACLU-HI”) submitted public records requests to all county police departments regarding any current agreements with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), including its Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) agencies, in their immigration enforcement efforts in the state.
Press Releases
Jan 14, 2026
ACLU Hawai‘i Files Lawsuit to Free Hawai‘i Island Resident from Unlawful Immigration Detention
HONOLULU, HI – On January 13, 2026, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi (“ACLU of Hawai‘i”) filed a habeas immigration petition in federal court, seeking the release of Juan Jose Estrada Lopez, a Hawai‘i island resident and husband. At his green card interview in August 2025, he was ripped away from his family and community and locked up at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center. He has been detained there ever since—even though he has committed no crime.
Jan 12, 2026
ACLU of Hawaiʻi Highlights Immigration, Criminal Justice, and Gender Equity Reforms for Upcoming 2026 Legislative Session
HONOLULU, HI - On January 12, the ACLU of Hawai‘i (“ACLU-HI”) held a press conference to announce its 2026 legislative priorities, which include criminal legal system reforms, increased protection for Hawai‘i’s immigrant communities, and stronger efforts to defend gender equity and LGBTQ+ rights.
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.
Interacting with ICE Agents
The ACLU of Hawai‘i partnered with The Legal Clinic, Hawai‘i Coalition for Immigrant Rights (“HCIR”), and Roots Reborn to offer a comprehensive KYR training on how to interact with ICE agents, including a recorded training video and corresponding slides.
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