Welcome!
Times change, political leaders change, but the American Civil Liberties Union mission remains the same: no matter who is in charge, we’re here to protect and advance civil rights as guaranteed by the U.S. and Hawai‘i State Constitutions. We are non-profit, non-partisan, and do not accept government funding. The ACLU of Hawai‘i was established in […]
ACLU Hawai‘i weighs in on proposed access rules for Mauna Kea
Read the proposed rules: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2019/02/12/university-seeks-comments-informal-draft-maunakea-rules/ Read the ACLU of Hawaiiʻs testimony: ACLU Comments on UH Informal Draft Rules 3.15.19 The ACLU of Hawaiʻi takes no position on the Thirty Meter Telescope (“TMT”) on Mauna Kea. We have concerns, however, with the informal draft proposed rules as they may infringe upon the constitutional rights of individuals […]
AFTER ACLU DEMAND, KĀHALA NUI RETIREMENT COMMUNITY CLARIFIES POLICIES TO PROTECT TENANTS’ CIVIL RIGHTS
Kāhala Nui confirms that residents can utilize Hawaii’s new medical aid-in-dying law in their private residences and that the Community does not grant preferences to Catholic residents or otherwise discriminate based on religion HONOLULU: The ACLU’s Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi Foundation are pleased that Kāhala Nui, an […]
National ACLU Legal Director David Cole to speak in Honolulu, Wailuku
Aloha! Please join us for a rare chance to hear from the Legal Director of the National ACLU, David Cole, live in Hawai‘i. Constitutional liberties have been under assault on many fronts over the last two years, from immigrants’ rights, to voting rights, to LGBTQ equality. David Cole, national legal director of the ACLU and […]
EQUALITY IS MORE THAN JUST LOCKER ROOMS: DOE’S PRESS CONFERENCE HIDES PERSISTENT GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Read the complaint:TitleIX filing Read the DOE answer to the complaint: 24 – DOE Answer Read the DOE scheduling conference statement: 33 – DOE Scheduling Conference Statement Honolulu, Hawai‘i: The State Department of Education (DOE) held a press conference today announcing that Kalani High School is dedicating a new athletic facility, which includes a new girls’ athletic locker room […]
Aloha, Jackie
Hawai‘i is a better place thanks to Jackie Young. During her time as a legislator, a member of the ACLU of Hawaii’s Board of Directors, and just as a proud Hawai’i resident, Jackie took part in many battles to advance civil rights locally. Perhaps none were as important as equal rights and equal treatment for […]
ACLU OF HAWAI‘I GEARS UP FOR LOCAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM WITH ADDITION OF SMART JUSTICE CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR MONICA ESPITIA
The ACLU of Hawai‘i is proud to announce the addition to its team of Monica Espitia, Smart Justice Campaign Director. Monica will be leading the ACLU of Hawaii’s local, on-the-ground Smart Justice work. Hawai’i is participating in the ACLU’s nationwide Smart Justice campaign, an initiative focused on reducing mass incarceration by fifty percent while addressing […]
OpEd: Win or lose, Hawaii keeps fighting for rights
This opinion piece was published 1/20/19 in the Honolulu Star Advertiser. https://www.staradvertiser.com/2019/01/20/editorial/insight/win-or-lose-hawaii-keeps-fighting-for-rights/ By Marianita Lopez, Board President As Hawai‘i marks Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, let’s remember that it’s more than just a day off. Let’s think about how far we’ve come and how far we have yet to go in realizing his dream. Hawai‘i […]
ACLU of Hawai‘i statement on President Trump’s speech 1/19/19
Executive Director Joshua Wisch said: “Hawai‘i is home to tens of thousands of federal workers. We’re also home to refugees and DACA recipients. In his statement today, the President is using their lives as poker chips in his bid to secure billions for a wall that doesn’t stand the independent scrutiny of Congress or the […]
ACLU OF HAWAI‘I CONTINUES TO GROW WITH ADDITION OF MANDY FERNANDES AS POLICY DIRECTOR
The ACLU of Hawai‘i is pleased to announce Mandy Fernandes as its new Policy Director. This position is part of the ACLU’s effort to bolster the cause of civil rights in Hawai‘i by increasing its capacity and reach throughout the state. Ms. Fernandes comes to the ACLU of Hawai‘i from the Hawai‘i Children’s Action Network (HCAN), a nonprofit that addresses the root causes of poverty and […]
