Columnist

Neal Milner

Neal Milner is a former political science professor at the University of Hawaii where he taught for 40 years. He is a political analyst for KITV and is a regular contributor to Hawaii Public Radio's "The Conversation." His most recent book is The Gift of Underpants. Opinions are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Civil Beat's views.
Neal Milner: Children Are Getting Phones Instead Of Playtime — And It’s Hurting Them Getty Images/iStockphoto

Neal Milner: Children Are Getting Phones Instead Of Playtime — And It’s Hurting Them

A new book relies on solid research to show why we're raising an anxious generation.

Neal Milner: Making The Shaka An Official Hawaii Gesture Is Not As Dumb As It Sounds David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Neal Milner: Making The Shaka An Official Hawaii Gesture Is Not As Dumb As It Sounds

The shaka is a source of origin stories, family stories, and a way to talk about life in Hawaii.

Neal Milner: Get Ready For The ‘Oy Vey!’ Presidential Election Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Neal Milner: Get Ready For The ‘Oy Vey!’ Presidential Election

You've got your Haters and your Double Haters and it all adds up to a toxic brew of continued disaffection.

Neal Milner: Those Who Choose To Leave Hawaii Don’t Have The Luxury Of Waiting For Policy Fixes Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021

Neal Milner: Those Who Choose To Leave Hawaii Don’t Have The Luxury Of Waiting For Policy Fixes

When your kids are growing up and grandparents are going from caregivers to care needers, affordable housing means affordable now.

Neal Milner: The 2024 Presidential Campaign Is A Terrible Way To Learn What It Means To Be Old Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Neal Milner: The 2024 Presidential Campaign Is A Terrible Way To Learn What It Means To Be Old

Whether Joe Biden or Donald Trump wins, elderly people will suffer collateral damage as talk of their occasional stumbles reinforces unfair stereotypes.

Neal Milner: When Legislative Oversight Actually Works Screenshot/Legislation YouTube channel/2023

Neal Milner: When Legislative Oversight Actually Works

A hearing last week with the DHHL director showed what happens when grandstanding and acrimony are put aside.

Neal Milner: The Conservatives Who Rise Above The Vitriol To Welcome Immigrants Anthony Quintano/Civil Beat

Neal Milner: The Conservatives Who Rise Above The Vitriol To Welcome Immigrants

Two towns in the Midwest take a pragmatic and humane approach to the immigrants in their midst despite the national clamor.

Neal Milner: Worried Sick About Politics This Year? Ignore It Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023

Neal Milner: Worried Sick About Politics This Year? Ignore It

You're not going to help anything by obsessing, so as a crazy-making year approaches, treat yourself to a break.

Neal Milner: The Questions Being Asked About The Wildfires Are A Guide To Better Government Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Neal Milner: The Questions Being Asked About The Wildfires Are A Guide To Better Government

New leadership can be a red flag that problems will disappear from public scrutiny.