Senior Reporter

Kevin Dayton

Kevin Dayton is the former Capitol Bureau chief for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. He was formerly Capitol Bureau chief and Big Island Bureau chief for The Honolulu Advertiser, which was Hawaii’s largest circulation daily newspaper until it closed.

He also reported for the Hawaii Tribune-Herald in Hilo, the Honolulu bureau of the Associated Press, Sun Press weekly newspapers in Kaneohe, and the Tucson Citizen.

He also worked as an executive assistant and executive director for Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi, and is a former U.S. Army infantry sergeant.

He holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of Hawaii Manoa, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Arizona.

He and his wife Mahealani live in Hilo and have eight children, five of them grown. They have been state-licensed foster parents since 2009.

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Taxes, Housing And Fighting Chickens Are Up For A Vote As The Hawaii Legislature Heads Into The Home Stretch David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Taxes, Housing And Fighting Chickens Are Up For A Vote As The Hawaii Legislature Heads Into The Home Stretch

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Lawmakers also hope to put a question securing same-sex marriage on the ballot this fall.

The Last Major Tax Bills Still Alive This Session Would Cut Income And Estate Taxes Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

The Last Major Tax Bills Still Alive This Session Would Cut Income And Estate Taxes

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It's a tight budget year and lawmakers are being criticized for advancing a major reduction in the state inheritance tax that would only benefit Hawaii's wealthiest families.

Key House Committee Approves Bill To Charge HECO Customers To Mitigate Wildfire Risk Cammy Clark

Key House Committee Approves Bill To Charge HECO Customers To Mitigate Wildfire Risk

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Hawaiian Electric Co. executives want an extra fee of up to 5% added to electric bills to develop and implement a wildfire prevention plan.

Your Electric Bill Could Be Going Up To Help Pay For Wildfire Prevention Measures Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2024

Your Electric Bill Could Be Going Up To Help Pay For Wildfire Prevention Measures

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Hawaii lawmakers are considering a new fee to help HECO's fire-fighting plan but there was strong testimony against it.

A Dispute Between The AG And Honolulu Prosecutor Is Playing Out In The Senate Screenshot/2024

A Dispute Between The AG And Honolulu Prosecutor Is Playing Out In The Senate

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Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm quit taking minor criminal cases generated by state law enforcement last year.

Hawaii Senate Committee’s Spending Plan Includes Hundreds Of Millions For Maui Fire Costs David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Hawaii Senate Committee’s Spending Plan Includes Hundreds Of Millions For Maui Fire Costs

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Senators also gave preliminary approval to a $19 billion supplemental budget bill to pay for state government operations for the coming year.

The Cost Of Maui’s Recovery Will Be ‘Enormous,’ But House Leaders Say The State Has The Money Screenshot/2024

The Cost Of Maui’s Recovery Will Be ‘Enormous,’ But House Leaders Say The State Has The Money

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House Finance Committee Chairman Kyle Yamashita says the state general fund had a surplus of $1.34 billion heading into this year's session.

Council On Revenues Anticipates 4% Growth This Year Despite Maui Fire Problems Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2020

Council On Revenues Anticipates 4% Growth This Year Despite Maui Fire Problems

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The council is concerned about empty Honolulu office space, a soft real estate market and high interest rates but also anticipates a strong construction industry.

Push To Increase Auto Insurance Coverage Could Raise Costs For Hawaii Consumers Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Push To Increase Auto Insurance Coverage Could Raise Costs For Hawaii Consumers

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Two bills being considered by the Legislature would increase the legally required minimum liability coverage, which could boost the cost of premiums.