Expanding local news across Hawaiʻi: A look at our new support for Honolulu Civil Beat

On Oct. 28, the American Journalism Project announced $1.5 million in new support for Honolulu Civil Beat to expand its reporting across Hawaiʻi, strengthening coverage that connects communities on every island. Below, we share more about Civil Beat’s plans for growth and what its statewide model can teach us about building sustainable local news that reflects and serves its communities.

Founded in 2010, Honolulu Civil Beat has become a leading source of news and information for Hawaiʻi, known for its in-depth reporting and connection to the community. Over the years, it has transformed in service of its readers — starting as a for-profit newsroom, then becoming a nonprofit and removing its paywall so everyone could access its journalism. That choice opened the door to a wider audience and deepened Civil Beat’s relationship with readers across the islands and beyond, including part-time residents and members of the Hawaiian diaspora who rely on it to stay informed.

While Civil Beat’s Honolulu newsroom on Oʻahu has long reported on statewide issues, its coverage of Hawaiʻi’s neighbor islands, including Maui, Hawaiʻi and Kauaʻi, has been limited even as other local reporting on those islands has diminished. Each island has distinct communities and information needs, and residents often struggle to find reliable information about the issues shaping their lives. Civil Beat’s next phase of growth aims to change that by extending more of its reach beyond Oʻahu and deepening its connections with readers across the islands.

With new support from the American Journalism Project, Civil Beat is laying the groundwork for the next stage of its growth, strengthening the business and operations foundation that makes its journalism possible. Its plans include growing revenue and audience capacity to sustain expansion beyond Oʻahu, with new neighbor island-focused reporters contributing local perspectives to statewide coverage. The organization will also build its fundraising and operations teams to create a stronger foundation for long-term sustainability.

This investment not only fuels Civil Beat’s growth, it will help it continue to serve as a trusted statewide source of news and information while it deepens its roots in communities across Hawaiʻi. We’re proud to support Civil Beat as it builds on its strong foundation, expands its reach, and continues ensuring that people across the islands have access to the reliable, independent reporting they deserve.

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