ACLU of Hawai‘i Report Shows Current Bail Practices Prioritize Wealth Of The Accused Over Risk To The Community
Honolulu, Hawai‘i: the ACLU of Hawai‘i (“ACLU”) has released a study showing that almost half of the people in Hawai‘i jails are pre-trial detainees who have not been convicted of the crimes for which they’ve been accused. This preliminary report, called “As Much Justice As You Can Afford – Hawaiiʻs Accused Face an Unequal Bail […]
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 […]
Criminalizing poverty, survival & homelessness: City Council Bills 51 and 52
Bill 51 (O‘ahu wide sit/lie ban) and 52 (criminalizing “lodging” on City sidewalks) were both up for first reading at the Honolulu City Council meeting on Wednesday, July 11 2018 at Kapolei Hale. The ACLU of Hawai‘i submitted opposition testimony on both measures. These passed first reading, and public hearings will follow. Please follow us […]
ACLU Hawai‘i: Mahalo Governor Ige for allowing Police Standards bill to become law
UPDATE 7/10/18: We did it! The ACLU of Hawai’i thanks Governor Ige for allowing HB 2071, which will create a law enforcement standards board, to become law. By listening to the concerns of the people – and their representatives who passed this bill unanimously – the Governor has done the right thing. His action today […]
ACLU of Hawai‘i thanks elections officials: proclamation lets Hawai‘i Island voters register and vote in person on election day
The State Chief Elections Officer and the Hawai’i County Clerk have responded to a demand letter from the ACLU of Hawai’i. That letter expressed concerns about the constitutionality of the Office of Elections’ original voting plan for precincts 4-03 and 4-04, which did not allow for in-person voting and registration on election day. Both of […]
ACLU of Hawai‘i seeking applicants to join its leadership team
The ACLU of Hawai‘i has announced two new leadership roles for the affiliate. It will be hiring a Smart Justice Campaign Director to lead Hawaii’s Smart Justice campaign, which is part of a coordinated, nationwide effort to halve incarceration rates and confront systemic racial inequalities in the criminal justice system. The affiliate is also hiring a Development Director to build its capacity at a time when civil […]
American experiment still thrives
By Executive Director Joshua Wisch, as published in the Star Advertiser 7/4/2018. http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/07/04/editorial/island-voices/american-experiment-still-thrives/ America is an experiment and experiments are messy things. By their nature, experiments upset the status quo, the world as it is. They can be frightening. They can be dangerous. They can be divisive.But they cannot fail. Not really. As Thomas Edison noted after being […]
ACLU Demands State Office of Elections Allow Pahoa Voters to Register and Vote in Person on Election Day
Read the demand letter: 6.29.18 – ACLU Demand Letter re primary election HONOLULU: The ACLU of Hawai‘i Foundation (ACLU of Hawai’i) issued a demand letter on Friday to the Hawai‘i Office of Elections. The letter, written by ACLU of Hawai’i Legal Director, Mateo Caballero, vows swift legal action if the “severe burden on the right […]
On the decision in Hawai‘i v. Trump
Executive Director Joshua Wisch said: “Today’s 5-4 Supreme Court decision hurts for all the people directly impacted by this discriminatory ban in Hawaii and across the country. It hurts for everyone who cherishes our constitution and the ideals it represents. And while the Court reached the wrong decision today—one which will haunt it for generations—we […]
ACLU of Hawai‘i calls on Governor Ige to withhold National Guard troops from border duty as long as children are being separated from their parents
Honolulu – Today the ACLU of Hawai’i called on Governor David Ige to refuse to send Hawai’i National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border so long as the Trump Administration continues its unconscionable policy of separating children from their parents. According to reporting today by the New York Times, so far, governors from at least […]
A Hawai‘i lawsuit with national implications for reproductive freedom is the topic of June 1st event
“Reproductive Freedom: Policy Trends Affecting Our Rights in Hawai‘i and the Nation” happens Friday, June 1st, at Impact Hub Honolulu RSVPs and/or special accommodations requests appreciated by Wednesday, 5/23. RSVPs are recommended, walkins welcome on a space-available basis. Light refreshments will be served. For free tickets and event details visit: http://rf2018.eventbrite.com Printable flyer (PDF format, […]
