Kirstin Downey – Honolulu Civil Beat

Kirstin Downey: ‘It Needs To Look Like Lahaina Again’

Front Street property owners are anxious and angry that Maui County seems to be stalling on granting permits that would allow them to rebuild their homes and businesses.

Kirstin Downey: Where History Is Preserved — Or Lost — Across The Pacific

Hawaiʻi is far from the only island nation that struggles to save the remnants of its heritage.

Kirstin Downey: This Ala Moana Cultural Gem Has Been Shut Down Way Too Long

McCoy Pavilion was once a popular spot for festivals and community events. Its fans are eager for it to reopen.

Kirstin Downey: Hawaii’s Last Sugar Lobbyist

Jack Roney represented Hawaii's sugar growers in Washington, D.C., for nearly a decade -- the last chapter of an already declining way of life.

Kirstin Downey: Honolulu Historic Preservation Efforts Are Getting A Boost

Oahu's new commission has qualified for federal grants that could be put to use all over the island.

Kirstin Downey: Those Scary High-Speed Wheelies May Soon Be Banned

The dangerous stunt has become increasingly popular among young people in Honolulu and nationwide.

Kirstin Downey: When The School Bully Is A Fee Processing System

The extra fees on school lunches are small. But they add up for low-income families who are already struggling to get by.

Kirstin Downey: The Maui County Cultural Commission’s Unfortunate Failure

The commission has only met once since the Aug. 8, 2023, fires wiped out much of Lahaina's history.

Kirstin Downey: National Heritage Areas Proposed For Kaena Point And Lahaina

The designations can bring federal funding to help with understanding cultural and historical significance.

Kirstin Downey: How Digital Experts Managed To Save Some Of The History Of Lahaina

The digitized records will provide a window into Lahaina’s past at a time the town’s future remains in question.