Reporter

Blaze Lovell

Blaze Lovell is a reporter for Honolulu Civil Beat. His work focuses on government accountability and ethics.

Blaze’s reporting has exposed improper state spending on Aloha Stadium and loopholes in Hawaiʻi’s contracting and campaign finance laws. Previously, Blaze was part of the inaugural class of the New York Times Local Investigations Fellowship. He’s worked as a reporter and intern at Civil Beat since 2017.

From Pearl City, Blaze attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he earned a bachelors degree in journalism and played rugby. You can still find him packing down in scrums.

Blaze welcomes equally hard hitting tips. You can reach him at 808-650-1585 or at blovell@civilbeat.org. He rarely checks social media.

Fireworks Come To Hawaiʻi On Passenger Jets ‘Almost Daily’ David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Fireworks Come To Hawaiʻi On Passenger Jets ‘Almost Daily’

Shipments of illegal fireworks sent via the U.S. Postal Service have been seized on commercial flights.

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

Will Tragedy Change How Hawaiʻi Polices Illegal Fireworks?

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

Deadly Fireworks Blast That Rocked Honolulu Fuels Calls For Crackdown Courtesy: Nick Wendrych

Deadly Fireworks Blast That Rocked Honolulu Fuels Calls For Crackdown

UPDATE: At least three women were killed in the New Year’s Eve explosion — and officials warned the toll was likely to rise. But whether the tragedy will be enough to change laws and behavior remains a question.

Legislature May Take A Stand Against Decades Of Pay-To-Play Politics Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Legislature May Take A Stand Against Decades Of Pay-To-Play Politics

New rules and proposed laws could fundamentally change how political campaigns are financed.

No Wai Ke Kuleana ʻO Ka Mālama Iwi Aliʻi? Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

No Wai Ke Kuleana ʻO Ka Mālama Iwi Aliʻi?

Loaʻa nā manaʻo nāna e paipai i ke Keʻena Kuleana Hawaiʻi a i ʻole kekahi keʻena lehulehu ʻole e mālama iā Mauna ʻAla. 

Selection Of Kamehameha Schools Trustees Is Under Scrutiny Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021

Selection Of Kamehameha Schools Trustees Is Under Scrutiny

While new transparency measures are proposed, some groups want more input.

He Hulihia Ko OHA, Koho Alakaʻi ʻIa ʻO Kai Kahele Me Ka Nānā ʻAna I Ke Kūkulu Hale David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

He Hulihia Ko OHA, Koho Alakaʻi ʻIa ʻO Kai Kahele Me Ka Nānā ʻAna I Ke Kūkulu Hale

Makemake ke kahu waiwai hou no ka Moku o Keawe e kahukahu i ka pilina me ka ʻAhaʻōlelo. 

Who Should Be Trusted To Manage Remains Of Hawaiian Royals? Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Who Should Be Trusted To Manage Remains Of Hawaiian Royals?

Proposals are floating for either the Office of Hawaiian Affairs or a private entity to take over at the Royal Mausoleum.

Makemake ʻO OHA E Hoʻopakele ʻIa Ma Lalo O Ko Hawaiʻi Kānāwai Mālamalama Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Makemake ʻO OHA E Hoʻopakele ʻIa Ma Lalo O Ko Hawaiʻi Kānāwai Mālamalama

Ma ka Pōʻakolu, na ka Papa Kahu Wawai e kūkākūkā i kā OHA komikina uku hana a me nā ilina kekahi.