May 15, 2026 · legislation
Governor Green signs Act 11, Hawaii's first-in-nation law stripping corporations of the right to spend in elections
Governor Josh Green signed Senate Bill 2471 into law as Act 11, making Hawaii the first state to use corporate chartering law to eliminate corporate political spending on elections and ballot measures. The law takes effect July 1, 2027, and applies to corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other entities organized under Hawaii law. Legal challenges are expected immediately, with opponents arguing the law violates Citizens United regardless of its framing.
Apr 16, 2026 · court_ruling
Federal judge dismisses DOJ suit seeking to block Hawaii climate lawsuit against oil companies
U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor dismissed with prejudice on April 16, 2026, a Department of Justice lawsuit that sought to prevent Hawaii from pursuing its state court climate case against Sunoco, ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, Shell, and other fossil fuel companies. Judge Gillmor ruled that the United States lacked standing to sue based on hypothetical future harms and that the federal government could not interfere with ongoing state judicial proceedings under the Younger abstention doctrine. The ruling was the second time in 2026 that a federal judge blocked DOJ attempts to suppress state climate litigation.
Mar 16, 2026 · court_ruling
Supreme Court grants cert in TPS cases, consolidated as Mullin v. Doe
The Supreme Court granted certiorari before judgment on March 16, 2026, in consolidated TPS cases challenging the Trump administration's terminations of Haiti and Syria designations, styling the case Mullin v. Doe. The Court's grant was expedited and came before the circuit court had issued a final merits ruling, reflecting the urgency of the immigration question affecting hundreds of thousands of people. Oral arguments were set for April 29, 2026, with a decision expected by the end of June 2026.
Aug 21, 2023 · political
Biden visits Maui after deadliest US wildfire in over a century
President Biden visits Lāhainā, Maui, Hawaii, two weeks after a wildfire destroyed the historic town on August 8, 2023, killing at least 100 people and making it the deadliest US wildfire since the 1918 Cloquet fire. The wildfire, driven by Hurricane Dora's winds and years of drought exacerbated by climate change, burned 2,000 acres and destroyed more than 2,200 structures in Lāhainā within hours. Biden faces criticism for taking 13 days to visit and for a press conference gaffe where he compared the disaster to a small kitchen fire at his Delaware home. Survivors and local officials express frustration at the pace of federal aid. Biden declares a major disaster, unlocking FEMA and federal rebuilding funds.
Aug 10, 2023 · natural_disaster_response
Biden approves Maui wildfire aid after Lahaina burns
President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for Hawaii on August 10, 2023, after wind-driven wildfires destroyed much of Lahaina on Maui. FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration later described the disaster as the worst natural disaster in Hawaii’s history, with more than 2,200 structures destroyed, about $5.5 billion in damages, and more than 100 lives lost. The response triggered major questions about sirens, evacuation, housing, utility risk, tourism pressure and how FEMA handles survivors in a state with extreme housing costs.