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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 […]
Column: End stigma against incarceration, 1 ohana at a time
Originally published in the Honolulu Star Advertiser, 1/14/2020 By Shayna Lonoaea-Alexander When my dad was locked up, I didn’t talk to anyone about it. His absence marked my volleyball games, first days at school, grandma’s cancer treatments, our big family Christmas Eve parties in Wahiawa and Waianae and other countless moments. Yet my fear of […]
CIVIL RIGHTS AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATES CALL ON CITY TO END CONTINUED MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT “SWEEPS” OF HOUSELESS FAMILIES
For the second year in a row, a growing list of officials, groups and individuals—representing a broad range of interests and constituencies—released a statement expressing disappointment in the continued and cruel “sweeps” of the houseless community, many of whom are families, by the City and County of Honolulu. The statement is as follows: “Here we […]
ACLU OF HAWAI‘I JOINS GLOBAL GIVING TUESDAY MOVEMENT ON DECEMBER 3rd
Honolulu, Hawai‘i: The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i (ACLU of Hawai‘i) is excited to announce that it will join this year’s GivingTuesday, which takes place on December 3rd. GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage giving and to celebrate generosity worldwide. ACLU […]
ACLU OF HAWAI‘I ANNOUNCES THE TOM HUMPHREYS AND ALLAN WANG CIVIL RIGHTS FUND FOR STUDENT ACTIVISTS
The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i (ACLU of Hawai‘i) is excited to announce the inaugural launch of a student scholarship program made possible by the Tom Humphreys and Allan Wang Civil Rights Fund. The fund will provide financial support to two local students with innovative, creative project proposals aimed at furthering the civil rights […]
ACLU OF HAWAI‘I GROWS WITH ADDITION OF SHAYNA LONOAEA-ALEXANDER AS SMART JUSTICE FIELD ORGANIZER
The ACLU of Hawai‘i is pleased to announce the addition to its team of Shayna Lonoaea-Alexander, coming on board as Smart Justice Field Organizer. Her position is part of a strategic expansion by the local ACLU affiliate to build its capacity and reach in order to better protect and advance civil rights for all […]
ACLU OF HAWAI‘I HOSTS FREE “SMART JUSTICE” TALK STORY EVENT IN WAILUKU OCTOBER 10
Printable flyer: Maui Talk Story Flyer Honolulu, Hawai‘i: As part of its Smart Justice campaign, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i (ACLU of Hawai‘i) will host a free talk story event at Maui Coffee Attic (59 Kanoa Street) in Wailuku, Maui on Thursday, October 10, 2019 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Open to the public, the […]
LEGAL VOLUNTEERS WILL HELP CLEAR NON-CONVICTION ARREST RECORDS AT UPCOMING FREE LEGAL CLINIC
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS COME TOGETHER FOR NATIONAL EXPUNGEMENT WEEK CLINIC AND INFORMATION FAIR SATURDAY, 9/28/19 AT UH MANOA LAW SCHOOL Printable poster (letter sized): ExpungementDayFlyer Honolulu, Hawai‘i: A free legal clinic to clear non-conviction arrest records will happen at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law from 2 p.m. to 5 […]
ADVOCATES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES FILE FEDERAL COMPLAINT; CALL ON DOE TO USE ALTERNATIVES TO OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS: “YOU CAN END THIS TODAY”
Read the complaint filed by the Hawaii Disability Rights Center: HDRC OCR Complaint August 1 2019 re Suspensions Read the letter sent to DOE Complex Area Superintendents by the ACLU of Hawai‘i: ACLU Letter to CAS and Principals re Out of School Suspensions A Tableau data dashboard with statistics and analysis on suspensionand arrest data […]
Law enforcement agencies’ responsibilities during mass demonstrations
With the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on top of Mauna Kea restarting the week of 7/15/19, and the likely protests and acts of civil disobedience that will likely take place in response, the ACLU of Hawaiʻi reached out to local law enforcement with recommendations on how to fulfill their dual responsibilities to both […]
DEMAND LETTER: AS TMT ISSUE RAMPS UP, STATE MUST REASSURE PUBLIC THAT LRAD “SOUND CANNON” WILL NOT BE USED AS A WEAPON AGAINST DEMONSTRATORS
Read the letter with attachments (PDF): ACLU Letter to DLNR re LRAD Re: DLNR’s Acquisition of a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) Dear Chairperson Case, Chief Redulla, Governor Ige, and Attorney General Connors: The ACLU of Hawaiʻi Foundation (“ACLU of Hawaiʻi”) has learned that the State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (“DLNR”) […]
