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State To Provide Homeless Children With Equal Access To Public Education (08/12/2008)
HONOLULU – U.S. District Court Chief Judge Helen Gillmor today approved a settlement agreement in a case brought by a statewide class of homeless children and their parents against the Hawaii Department of Education ("DOE") and Board of Education ("Board"). The settlement requires the State to provide homeless children with equal access to public education and remove barriers to their educational success.

Federal Judge Rules that the state of Hawaii Department of Education Must Fulfill Its Obligation to Homeless Children (02/14/2008)
HONOLULU – U.S. District Court Chief Judge Helen Gillmor has ordered the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) to change its enrollment procedures to ensure equal access for homeless children. After hearing from civil rights groups and attorneys representing three homeless parents and their five children on 2/11/08, Judge Gillmor granted their motion for preliminary injunction in part and their motion to proceed as a class action.

Hawaii Governor Wrong that Demise of Random Drug Testing Program Puts Teacher Pay Raise at Risk (02/01/2008)
HONOLULU – A diverse group of legal and labor experts and public school educators delivered a letter to Governor Linda Lingle today demanding that she retract legally baseless threats to withhold teachers’ pay raises. In response to the Board of Education’s decision last week not to divert money from Hawaii’s classrooms to fund a random teacher drug testing program, Lingle threatened to deny teachers a pay raise included in their current contract.

ACLU Applauds Hawaii Board of Education’s Rejection of Random Teacher Drug Testing and Condemns Governor’s Threat to Withhold Wages (01/25/2008)
HONOLULU – The American Civil Liberties Union applauded the Hawaii State Board of Education for its decision not to fund the random drug testing of Hawaii’s educators. In a unanimous vote yesterday evening, the Board of Education rejected a motion that would have allocated $400,000 just to initiate the random testing policy – additional funds would be necessary to conduct the actual random tests. In response to the Board’s decision, Governor Linda Lingle today threatened to withhold a wage increase included in the teachers’ union’s most recent contract.

ACLU OF HAWAII WELCOMES NEW SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY DANIEL M. GLUCK (12/04/2007)
HONOLULU — The ACLU of Hawaii is pleased to announce that it has selected Daniel M. Gluck as its new Senior Staff Attorney. Gluck joins the ACLU of Hawaii legal team, which is currently staffed by Lois Perrin, Legal Director, and Laurie A. Temple, Staff Attorney.

Hawaii Governor Refuses to Retract Teacher Drug Testing Policy (11/15/2007)
HONOLULU – The American Civil Liberties Union condemned Governor Lingle’s refusal to retract a policy that will subject as many as 13,500 public school employees, including teachers,librarians and many administrative workers to random drug testing. Saying that the drug testing program violates adults’ constitutional right to privacy and is ineffective and costly, the ACLU announced today that it will file suit imminently in federal court.

Civil Rights Lawyers Ask Court to Block Laws Illegally Denying Homeless Children Equal Access to Education (11/06/2007)
HONOLULU – Advancing their class action lawsuit, Lawyers for Equal Justice (LEJ) and the ACLU of Hawaii today filed a motion in federal court seeking an order to immediately halt state officials from enforcing laws and policies that block access by homeless children to public education. These measures are in violation of federal law.

ACLU Issues Official Demand for Governor to Halt Random Drug Testing of Educators (10/04/2007)
HONOLULU - The American Civil Liberties Union served Governor Lingle a formal demand letter today calling for an end to the State’s plan to randomly drug test many public school employees, including teachers and librarians. The ACLU has so far been contacted by more than 150 educators seeking to challenge the random drug testing policy.

Homeless Children Denied Equal Access to Education (10/02/2007)
HONOLULU - Calling the State of Hawaii's treatment of homeless children a travesty, civil rights groups and attorneys filed a class action lawsuit today challenging the State's failure to provide homeless children with equal access to public education. The lawsuit - which names three homeless parents and their children - charges State officials with ignoring their legal obligations to provide homeless children with equal access to a free and appropriate public education in violation of the McKinney-Vento Act. The lawsuit also charges State officials with violating constitutional requirements to provide equal access to public education without regard to the status of homelessness.

ACLU Announces Legal Challenge to First-Ever Random Drug Testing Policy for Public School Educators (09/14/2007)
HONOLULU -- The American Civil Liberties Union is convening a series of local events to announce its legal challenge to a state policy that will randomly drug test many public school employees, including teachers, librarians and many administrative workers. Saying that the drug testing program violates adults’ constitutional right to privacy, is ineffective and costly, the ACLU is currently seeking Hawaii public school employees to participate in a lawsuit against the State that will soon be filed in federal court.

ACLU Announces Legal Challenge to First-Ever Random Drug Testing Policy for Public School Educators (09/14/2007)
HONOLULU -- The American Civil Liberties Union is convening a series of local events to announce its legal challenge to a state policy that will randomly drug test many public school employees, including teachers, librarians and many administrative workers. Saying that the drug testing program violates adults’ constitutional right to privacy, is ineffective and costly, the ACLU is currently seeking Hawaii public school employees to participate in a lawsuit against the State that will soon be filed in federal court.

2007 ACLU Hawai'i Youth Award Winners Selected (06/07/2007)
HONOLULU - Since 2003, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i's Guardians of Liberty & Justice Youth Award has honored the work of young civil libertarians who have braved adversity to stand up for a constitutional principle. The awards ceremony is Saturday, July 7th, in the chambers of the Hawai'i State Supreme Court, with special guest presenter the Honorable Steven H. Levinson, Associate Justice of the Hawai'i Supreme Court. Public seating is very limited, call (808)522-5900 for information.

ACLU of Hawaii Victorious in Challenge to Honolulu Prosecutor’s Unlawful Use of Public Funds in Political Campaigning (03/14/2007)
HONOLULU - In a victory for voter fairness on election ballot measures, the state Supreme Court sided with the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii in ruling that a Honolulu prosecutor unlawfully used public funds and resources to urge voters to approve a proposed constitutional amendment.

ACLU of Hawaii Files Federal Lawsuit on Behalf of Peaceful Protesters (08/08/2006)
HONOLULU -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii filed a federal lawsuit today on behalf of advocates for the homeless who were arrested while peacefully protesting at Honolulu City Hall.

ACLU of Hawaii Tells Court Protesters Were Unlawfully Arrested (08/02/2006)
HONOLULU -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii announced today that it has filed a motion in criminal court on behalf of two advocates for the homeless arrested for trespassing while peacefully protesting on the grounds of Honolulu City Hall. The ACLU is asking the court to dismiss the case on the grounds that the protesters were unlawfully arrested while exercising their constitutional rights to assemble and protest.

Hawai'i Youth Correctional Facility to Pay Over Half a Million Dollars for "Relentless Campaign of Harassment" of Gay and Transgender Youth (06/15/2006)
HONOLULU - The American Civil Liberties Union today announced a $625,000 dollar settlement in the first case in the country to specifically address the treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth in juvenile facilities. The settlement ends an ACLU federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of three young people who faced anti-gay and anti-transgender abuse and harassment at the facility by staff and their peers.

Judge Blasts Hawai’i Juvenile Detention Facility for Pervasive Harassment of Gay and Transgender Youth (02/08/2006)
HONOLULU – In the first case in the country to specifically address the treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth in juvenile facilities, a federal judge has agreed with the American Civil Liberties Union that conditions at the Hawai’i Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF) are dangerous, that harassment is pervasive, and that the facility is “in a state of chaos.”

ACLU of Hawaii Lauds Federal Court Decision on Statewide Residency Requirement for Jobs (02/03/2006)
HONOLULU —The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii today announced the end to a requirement that prevented countless numbers of individuals from even applying for government jobs in Hawaii because they were not yet residents.

ACLU Asks Court to Require Immediate Action to Stop Harassment of Gay and Transgender Youth at Hawaii Juvenile Detention Facility (10/04/2005)
HONOLULU - The American Civil Liberties Union has asked a federal court to order the state's juvenile detention facility to take immediate action to halt harassment and abuse of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender wards. The ACLU's motion for a preliminary injunction aims to force Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF) to implement policies and training to protect LGBT youth in its care.

ACLU of Hawai'i Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Gala Awards Dinner (09/08/2005)
HONOLULU - The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i celebrates 40 years of protecting the Bill of Rights with a gala fundraising event on September 25 featuring a keynote address by renowned author, security critic and commentator Bruce Schneier. Three awards will be presented to local individuals for outstanding work to promote civil liberties awareness. The event will occur at the Renaissance Waikiki Ilikai Hotel beginning at 5:00 p.m.

ACLU Hails Hawai'i Supreme Court Ruling Invalidating Ballot Question As Unconstitutional (09/02/2005)
HONOLULU - The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i today cheered a decision by the state supreme court invalidating Ballot Question 1 of the 2004 general election because of significant procedural errors made by the state legislature.

Citing Shocking Incidents of Harassment of Gay and Transgender Youth, ACLU Files Federal Civil Lawsuit against Hawai'i Juvenile Detention Facility (09/02/2005)
HONOLULU - The American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal civil rights lawsuit late yesterday on behalf of three young people who say they've been abused and harassed because of their sexual orientation and gender identity while at the state's juvenile detention facility.

ACLU Urges Hawai'i to Act on Department of Justice Report on Youth Correctional Facility (08/12/2005)
HONOLULU -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i is urging state officials to act immediately on the Department of Justice's report released today about its investigation into problematic conditions and practices at the Hawai'i Youth Correctional Facility, many of which were uncovered by an earlier ACLU inquiry.

U.S. Attorney Retracts Threat of Prosecution After Receiving Demand from ACLU of Hawaii (06/13/2005)
HONOLULU -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii today said it appreciated the ""clarification"" of comments by U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo regarding doctors who recommend medical marijuana to their patients.

ACLU of Hawaii Demands Immediate Retraction from U.S. Attorney (06/08/2005)
HONOLULU -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii (ACLU) demanded in a letter today that U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo immediately retract comments threatening to arrest doctors who recommend medical marijuana to their patients.

Hawaii Agrees to End Prolonged Incarceration and Strip Searches in Response to ACLU Lawsuit (02/10/2005)
HONOLULU-The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii announced today that the state has agreed to pay $1.2 million to settle a class action federal civil rights lawsuit brought on behalf of hundreds of innocent individuals who were wrongly detained by the State Department of Public Safety (PSD) after being ordered released by the courts and, in some cases, subjected to unconstitutional strip and body cavity searches without legal justification.

ACLU of Hawaii Sues State, Saying Broadly Worded "Squatters Law" Curtails Right to Use Public Spaces (09/07/2004)
HONOLULU--The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii today filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Governor Linda Lingle and Attorney General Mark Bennett, saying that a recently enacted trespass statute is unconstitutional and gives public officials overly broad powers to ban individuals from using public spaces such as beaches, streets or sidewalks.

In Historic Court Victory for ACLU, Honolulu Agrees to Create New Rules Affirming Religious Neutrality and Free Speech (06/23/2004)
HONOLULU--The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i claimed victory today in three First Amendment cases resulting in a historic settlement agreement with the city and county of Honolulu, which ensured that gay rights organizations and other political groups cannot be blocked from participating in city-sponsored events and that taxpayer funds will no longer be used to promote one religion over others.

ACLU Urges Hawaii Governor to Break Stalemate Over Brutal Conditions at Youth Correctional Facility (06/14/2004)
HONOLULU-The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii urged Governor Linda Lingle today to break a stalemate and finally address the brutal and unconstitutional treatment of children at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility.

ACLU Weighs in on Transgender Discrimination Lawsuit Before Hawaii Supreme Court (08/14/2003)
HONOLULU - Outlining a long history of discrimination against transgender people, the American Civil Liberties Union today urged the Supreme Court of Hawaii to rule that gender identity discrimination is against state law.

ACLU of Hawaii Files Lawsuit Over Use of City's "Family Day" Festival to Promote Christianity (07/14/2003)
HONOLULU-The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii today filed a lawsuit against city officials here charging that a recent city-sponsored "Family Day" festival impermissibly entwined government with religion because it promoted fundamentalist Christian beliefs and raised money for fundamentalist Christian organizations.

ACLU of Hawaii to Present Youth Award to Student Founders of State's First Gay-Straight Alliance (07/07/2003)
HONOLULU -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii announced today that two Kalaheo High School seniors who started the state's first Gay-Straight Alliance in the public schools are the recipients of its first Youth Award to promote awareness of civil liberties.

ACLU of Hawai'i Files Lawsuit Over Exclusion of Gay Groups From "Family Day" Parade (06/27/2003)
HONOLULU-The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i today filed a lawsuit against city and county officials and a local Christian group for conspiring to exclude gay groups from the Family Day Parade scheduled to take place on July 5.

Honolulu Prosecutor Illegally Used Powers of Office to Campaign for Ballot Initiative, ACLU Lawsuit Charges (05/21/2003)
HONOLULU -- Local prosecutor Peter Carlisle violated city laws as well as the free speech rights of taxpayers when he improperly spent nearly $2,500 in public funds and used other public resources to campaign for the passage of Ballot Question 3 in last year's general election, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i charged in a lawsuit filed today.

ACLU of Hawaii Sues Over Strip-Search of Female Student; 15-Year-Old Accused of $30 Theft Was Stripped Totally Bare (05/13/2003)
HONOLULU -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i today filed a lawsuit against officials at a public charter school in Pahoa over the strip-search of a 15-year-old girl who was made to stand completely naked after she was accused of stealing $30.

Hawaii Legislature Becomes Nation's First to Pass Pro-Civil Liberties Bill (04/29/2003)
HONOLULU - The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii today applauded the state legislature for being the first in the nation to stand up for the rights of individuals by passing a joint resolution affirming and protecting the individual liberties of all the people of Hawaii and calling for the repeal of the most egregious provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.

Religious Code at HI High School a Relic of the Past Under Court Settlement (01/28/2003)
HONOLULU--The American Civil Liberties of Hawai'i today announced the settlement of a lawsuit filed in federal district court on behalf of a male high school student here who challenged the constitutionality of his school's honor code that in part requires pledging "love for God."

ACLU of Hawaii Challenges Results of Misleading Ballot Initiative in State Supreme Court (11/22/2002)
HONOLULU -- Saying that state officials here failed to follow prescribed procedures when presenting a ballot initiative to citizens, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii today filed a lawsuit in state supreme court seeking to invalidate the result of the ratification vote on constitutional amendment Question 3 and prevent inclusion of the amendment in the state's Constitution.

After HI Court Denies Appeal on Misleading Ballot Initiative, ACLU Vows to Challenge Vote's Outcome (11/04/2002)
HONOLULU- The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii today vowed to challenge the outcome of a misleading ballot initiative after the State Supreme Court declined to hear its emergency appeal and halt a vote on a hotly debated public referendum issue known as Question No. 3.

Hawaii Court Orders Election Officials to Correct Misleading Text of Ballot Initiative (10/31/2002)
HONOLULU -- In a victory for Hawaii's voters, a circuit court judge today ordered the state Office of Elections to correct misleading or erroneous information about a public referendum issue known as Question No. 3 by publishing the question's full text in daily newspapers prior to Election Day and displaying it prominently at polling sites.

ACLU of Hawaii Files Lawsuit to Halt Voting On Misleading Ballot Amendment (10/23/2002)
HONOLULU--The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii today filed a lawsuit in state Circuit Court on behalf of two registered voters who allege that state voter education materials on a public referendum issue violates their fundamental right to vote because the materials are inaccurate and misleading.

ACLU of Hawaii Files Class-Action Lawsuit on Behalf Of Inmates Denied Right to Vote (07/22/2002)
HONOLULU--The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii today filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court on behalf of William Remmers Jr. and other pretrial detainees at Oahu Community Correctional Center who were denied their constitutional right to vote in the November 2000 elections. 

ACLU of Hawai'i Defends Free Speech Rights Of Former Police Officer Who Criticized Officials (07/03/2002)
HONOLULU--­ Acting on behalf of a former police officer, the ACLU of Hawai'i today filed a federal lawsuit charging that police officials violated the officer's First Amendment rights by harassing him after he criticized police officials involved in a scandal.

Honolulu Settles Lawsuit Over Banned Art (03/06/2002)
HONOLULU -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai`i today announced the settlement of a case filed against the City and County of Honolulu for banning the art work of a local artist from an exhibit at Honolulu's City Hall last year.

ACLU Hails Victory as Hawaii Court Orders Immediate Release of Innocent People Held in Jail (01/04/2002)
HONOLULU--Hundreds of people who were wrongfully detained in local jails after proving their innocence have been freed as the result of a class-action lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i, the group announced today. 

ACLU Wins Artistic Expression Lawsuit On Behalf of Waikiki Street Performers (12/28/2001)
HONOLULU -- In a victory for free speech advocates and champions of artistic expression, a district court judge today threw out a local ordinance that unconstitutionally limited the rights of street performers in the city of Waikiki on Oahu. 

People Cleared of Wrongdoing Were Held in Jail, Treated Like Criminals, ACLU of Hawai'i Charges (12/11/2001)
HONOLULU-- Prolonged detention of individuals cleared by a jury of wrongdoing is a travesty of justice, according to legal papers filed today by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai`i in a class action lawsuit. 

Students in Hawai'i Argue National Security And Civil Liberties in ACLU-Sponsored Debate (11/28/2001)
HONOLULU--Should national security concerns take precedence over the exercise of civil liberties? That was the question posed to high school students at this year's Lincoln/Douglas Debate co-sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i and Kamehameha Schools and held over the Thanksgiving weekend. 

ACLU Asks U.S. Appeals Court to Defer to Guam High Court on Rastafarian's Right to Use Marijuana for Religious Purposes (11/02/2001)
HONOLULU--In a first-of-its-kind case involving the right of a Rastafarian in Guam to use marijuana for religious purposes, the American Civil Liberties Union on Monday will tell a federal appeals court that fundamental religious freedoms should not be stunted by one nation's ""war on drugs."" 

Bowing to ACLU Lawsuit, Honolulu Ends Unconstitutional Restrictions on Public Marches and Gatherings (10/10/2001)
HONOLULU-- Bowing to a free speech lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai`i, the City and County of Honolulu today agreed to change its permitting schemes for marches and gatherings on public streets and in parks. 

ACLU, Hawai'i Officials Reach Agreement to Allow Asian Development Bank Protests to Continue (05/02/2001)
HONOLULU - The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i and local officials reached an agreement in federal court today that will allow protesters to use a portion of the promenade behind the Hawai'i Convention Center to demonstrate during the Asian Development Bank (ADB) meetings next week. 

ACLU Lawsuit Charges Hawai'i School Officials and Police with Persecution of 12-Year-Old Girl (11/16/2000)
HONOLULU--School officials and city police officers violated a 12-year-old girl's rights when they had her arrested, handcuffed and partially strip-searched over a missing $20 bill, all without notifying her parents, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i charged in a federal lawsuit today.

ACLU of Hawai'i Represents Transsexual Canoeist in Fight over Gender (09/13/2000)
HONOLULU, HI - In an effort to ensure that transsexuals are entitled to equal protection of the law and free from discrimination based upon sex, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i said today that it will challenge a state athletic organization's rule requiring athletes to undergo genetic testing to participate in sports.

ACLU Defends Free Speech Rights of Police Officer (08/30/2000)
HONOLULU - The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i has sent a letter to county attorneys of the Island of Hawai'i criticizing the County's policy of prohibiting a police officer from filing a complaint before its Police Commission.

In Local Controversy, ACLU of Hawai'i Supports Public Official's Free Speech Rights (07/12/2000)
HONOLULU, HI -- Citizens who serve on public boards and commissions have a right to free speech, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i said in a friend-of-the-court brief filed on behalf of a local official.

ACLU Files First Amendment Lawsuit Over Street Performers (06/29/2000)
HONOLULU, HI -- Acting on behalf of street performers and a religious organization, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i today filed suit in state court challenging the constitutionality of a new city and county law that severely limits First Amendment rights.

In a National First, Governor of Hawaii Signs First Legislative Medical Marijuana Bill (06/14/2000)
HONOLULU--The American Civil Liberties Union was one of the groups applauding today as Governor Ben Cayetano signed into law a measure that removes state-level criminal penalties for seriously ill people who grow, possess, and use marijuana with their doctors' approval.

ACLU Says Hawaii Newspaper's First Amendment Rights Were Not Violated by Order to Continue Operating (11/12/1999)
HONOLULU -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii said today that the First Amendment rights of the owners of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin newspaper have not been violated by a recent court injunction halting it from shutting down.

Johnnie Cochran to Keynote ACLU of Hawaii's 35th Anniversary Dinner (10/05/1999)
HONOLULU -- Attorney Johnnie Cochran and Honorary Chair Governor Ben Cayetano will recognize six local advocates for exceptional civil rights work at the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii's 35th Anniversary Awards Dinner on October 9 at the Japanese Cultural Center.

14 Years Later, State Prison Monitoring in Hawaii to End (09/16/1999)
OAHU, HI -- Conditions at Oahu Community Correctional Center have been improved sufficiently to end 14 years of mandated monitoring by national experts, the Honolulu Star Bulletin reported today.