Every year, Hawaiʻi government agencies receive public records requests from citizens, journalists and researchers.
Theoretically, Hawaiʻi’s public records law — the Uniform Information Practices Act, or UIPA — makes government records available for public inspection. Records can include audits, budget reports, police records, government photos, police body cam videos, data or even public officials’ emails. Civil Beat is a common requester of records, and they often — although not always — turn into news stories. Some can spark investigations, inspire hearings or even lead to criminal charges.
“Press releases only present their best version of the facts,” said Brian Black, executive director of the Public First Law Center, a nonprofit law firm that specializes in government transparency. “Public records allow you to see everything that’s going on, so that you can make your own assessment without any filters from the government agency.”…