Civil Beat Staff

Chad Blair

Chad Blair has been a writer, editor and teacher in Honolulu for more than 25 years. His job as reporter and editor is to cover Hawaiʻi, especially how political decisions impact people and communities.

Chad has worked as a journalist for Pacific Business News, Hawaiʻi Public Radio and Honolulu Weekly. He has taught at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu Community College, Hawaiʻi Pacific University and Chaminade University of Honolulu.

A “military brat,” Chad was born on an Army base in Alabama and later lived with his family in Germany, Illinois, Nebraska and Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, where he edited the school newspaper. He also minored in Spanish and studied for a semester in Mexico.

Chad worked for a year on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, where he tracked satellites for the U.S. Air Force/NORAD. He then earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in American studies from UH Manoa. His dissertation, “Democracy in Hawaiʻi: Class, Race and Gender in Local Politics” (1996), was published as “Money, Color and Sex in Hawaiʻi Politics” (Mutual Publishing; 1998).

You can reach him by email at cblair@civilbeat.org or follow him on Twitter at @chadblairCB.

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Some Legislators Unhappy With Proposed Site For New Oʻahu Landfill Screenshot/Department of Environmental Services

Some Legislators Unhappy With Proposed Site For New Oʻahu Landfill

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The City and County of Honolulu wants to build it in Wahiawā, but some lawmakers ask if there are alternatives.

Full-Time Criminal Investigative Unit Proposed To Tackle Illegal Fireworks David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

Full-Time Criminal Investigative Unit Proposed To Tackle Illegal Fireworks

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A task force that began its work long before the recent tragedy in Salt Lake also recommends a unified fireworks permitting system in Hawaiʻi and $2 million for a new firearms and explosives lab.

The US Spent Billions Fighting Pacific Climate Change. Where Did It Go? Chad Blair/Civil Beat

The US Spent Billions Fighting Pacific Climate Change. Where Did It Go?

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A GAO report says the U.S. needs more detailed information to ensure accountability over funding to help Indo-Pacific countries and territories address climate risks.

Will Tragedy Change How Hawaiʻi Polices Illegal Fireworks? David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

Will Tragedy Change How Hawaiʻi Polices Illegal Fireworks?

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A task force created to find and stop shipments has seized more than 100 tons of explosives — but no criminal charges have followed.

Congress Is Poised To Approve Another $1.6 Billion For Maui Fire Aid Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2024

Congress Is Poised To Approve Another $1.6 Billion For Maui Fire Aid

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The money is slated for long-term housing programs but the county is also in line to receive millions more for jobs, small business loans and rebuilding efforts.

Has Tulsi Gabbard Bid Hawaii A Last Aloha? Screenshot/2024

Has Tulsi Gabbard Bid Hawaii A Last Aloha?

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The former elected official representing the islands has rarely been seen here lately as she goes all in for Donald Trump.

Gabbard’s Past Could Complicate US Senate Confirmation AP Photo/Alex Brandon/2024

Gabbard’s Past Could Complicate US Senate Confirmation

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Trump’s nomination of the former Hawaii congresswoman to be national intelligence director is likely to renew questions about her beliefs and background.

Here’s What Local Republicans Say A Trump Presidency Will Mean For Hawaii Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2017

Here’s What Local Republicans Say A Trump Presidency Will Mean For Hawaii

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Trump supporters say a second term should bring peace and prosperity, a lower cost of living and help for Native Hawaiians.

Hawaii Legislature: Republicans Are Gaining Seats Even In The Aloha State David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Hawaii Legislature: Republicans Are Gaining Seats Even In The Aloha State

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Democrats are expected to easily retain large majorities in the state House and Senate, but some races were close after the first batch of votes was released Wednesday.