Senior Reporter

Kevin Dayton

Kevin Dayton is the former Capitol Bureau chief for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. He was formerly Capitol Bureau chief and Big Island Bureau chief for The Honolulu Advertiser, which was Hawaii’s largest circulation daily newspaper until it closed.

He also reported for the Hawaii Tribune-Herald in Hilo, the Honolulu bureau of the Associated Press, Sun Press weekly newspapers in Kaneohe, and the Tucson Citizen.

He also worked as an executive assistant and executive director for Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi, and is a former U.S. Army infantry sergeant.

He holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of Hawaii Manoa, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Arizona.

He and his wife Mahealani live in Hilo and have eight children, five of them grown. They have been state-licensed foster parents since 2009.

Read more
Green Says Budget Has Room For Public Worker Pay Raises, Even With Tax Cuts Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Green Says Budget Has Room For Public Worker Pay Raises, Even With Tax Cuts

By /

The governor is also budgeting $400 million in each of the next two years to settle claims from the Lahaina wildfire victims.

Hawai‘i House Finance Chair Has Plans For Big Changes In The Tax Code Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Hawai‘i House Finance Chair Has Plans For Big Changes In The Tax Code

By /

Rep. Kyle Yamashita has been talking about shifting millions of dollars in tax surcharge revenue from the counties back to the state.

Another Inmate Dies In An Apparent Suicide At Hawaii’s Largest Prison Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2019

Another Inmate Dies In An Apparent Suicide At Hawaii’s Largest Prison

By /

ACLU of Hawaii calls for an independent review of suicides in state prisons and jails.

A Suicide At The Oahu Jail Prompts A Lawsuit By The Inmate’s Family Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

A Suicide At The Oahu Jail Prompts A Lawsuit By The Inmate’s Family

By /

Two lawyers involved in the criminal case against Jimuel Gatioan say they warned the jail he was suicidal before he hanged himself.

Miske Felt Hopeful About Appeal Before His Death In Jail, Lawyer Says Courtesy: Miske family

Miske Felt Hopeful About Appeal Before His Death In Jail, Lawyer Says

By /

Officials have not released information about the circumstances surrounding Sunday's death of the convicted organized crime leader at the Federal Detention Center In Honolulu.

The Mental Health Crisis In Hawaii’s Prisons: ‘The Suicides Keep Coming’ Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2017

The Mental Health Crisis In Hawaii’s Prisons: ‘The Suicides Keep Coming’

By /

The latest deaths would make the number of suicides the highest in a single year since 2020.

Hawaii’s Chief Justice And Lawmakers Ask For Raises David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Hawaii’s Chief Justice And Lawmakers Ask For Raises

By /

Officials say higher salaries would help attract more qualified people to the jobs.

Hawaii’s Child Welfare System Needs Major Reform, Report Says Ronen Zilberman/Civil Beat/2021

Hawaii’s Child Welfare System Needs Major Reform, Report Says

By /

The Malama Ohana panel wants an ombudsman's office to do investigations of deaths or serious injuries to children who received services from CWS.

Honolulu Rail Supporters Worry About Funding Under Trump Administration Kawika Lopez/Civil Beat/2024

Honolulu Rail Supporters Worry About Funding Under Trump Administration

By /

The city is counting on another $600 million from the Federal Transit Administration to help pay for rail construction to Kakaako.