Guest Contributor

Ben Lowenthal

Ben Lowenthal grew up on Maui. He earned his undergraduate degree studying journalism at San Francisco State University and his law degree at the University of Kansas. He is a deputy public defender on Maui practicing criminal defense in trial and appellate courts. He previously wrote “The State of Aloha” column at The Maui News. He is a deputy public defender practicing criminal defense in trial and appellate courts. He also runs “Hawaii Legal News,” a blog covering Hawaii appellate courts. You can reach him at ben.lowenthal@civilbeat.org.

Ben Lowenthal: Hawaii’s Top Court Says A Fetus Is Not A Person. Alabama Could Not Disagree More Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Ben Lowenthal: Hawaii’s Top Court Says A Fetus Is Not A Person. Alabama Could Not Disagree More

The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that a fetus is not a person and cannot be a crime victim in 2005, a decision that carries extra weight in a post-Roe world.

Ben Lowenthal: Courts Should Not Give Prosecutors A Pass For Using Tainted Evidence Getty Images/iStockphoto

Ben Lowenthal: Courts Should Not Give Prosecutors A Pass For Using Tainted Evidence

Failed prosecutions are no reason to roll back protections against unconstitutional search and seizure.

Ben Lowenthal: The Surprising Persistence Of Conservatism In True Blue Hawaii Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Ben Lowenthal: The Surprising Persistence Of Conservatism In True Blue Hawaii

A look at the state's history shows that homegrown support for Donald Trump and extreme right-wing organizations didn't materialize overnight.

Ben Lowenthal: We Need Housing, But Not At The Expense Of Local Culture And History David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Ben Lowenthal: We Need Housing, But Not At The Expense Of Local Culture And History

Plans for converting Honolulu's Bethel Block into affordable housing won't make a dent in the shortage any time soon.

Ben Lowenthal: Many States Are Moving To Shorten Probation Periods. Hawaii Isn’t One Of Them Provided: Alcohol Monitoring Systems Inc.

Ben Lowenthal: Many States Are Moving To Shorten Probation Periods. Hawaii Isn’t One Of Them

Lengthy probation periods can be detrimental to families and community and to chances of reintegrating offenders.

Ben Lowenthal: Hawaii’s Local Identity Is Distinctive But Hard To Pin Down Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Ben Lowenthal: Hawaii’s Local Identity Is Distinctive But Hard To Pin Down

The Unity March in Lahaina was a reflection of both Native Hawaiian values and the unique culture of the Valley Isle.

Ben Lowenthal: Hawaii’s History Shows That Sometimes The Insurrectionists Win Nick Grube/Civil Beat/2021

Ben Lowenthal: Hawaii’s History Shows That Sometimes The Insurrectionists Win

Instigators of the 1893 coup against the Hawaiian monarchy would go on to hold prominent office.

Ben Lowenthal: Peter Ohashi Gracefully Rode Maui’s Waves Of Change Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023

Ben Lowenthal: Peter Ohashi Gracefully Rode Maui’s Waves Of Change

The life story of the longtime Upcountry resident personifies the need to embrace the ups and downs of the Valley Isle.

Ben Lowenthal: Local News Outlets Need To Stop Feeding Off Low-Level Crime Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Ben Lowenthal: Local News Outlets Need To Stop Feeding Off Low-Level Crime

Traditional coverage relies on publicly shaming people who have been arrested but haven't been convicted of a crime.