Ashley Mizuo
Government ReporterAshley Mizuo is Hawaiʻi Public Radio’s government reporter. She previously worked at Crooked Media producing two podcasts: "Pod Save the World" and "Strict Scrutiny." Before that, she was the City Hall reporter at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and a general assignment reporter at HPR.
Born and raised on O’ahu, she's a graduate of ‘Iolani School and has a bachelor's in journalism and political science from Loyola University Chicago and a master's in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois-Springfield.
When she's not reporting she can be found running, surfing (badly), consuming excessive amounts of coffee and obsessing over Taylor Swift.
Contact her at amizuo@hawaiipublicradio.org or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ashleymizuo.
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The Honolulu City Council Budget Committee narrowly advanced a measure that would tax properties left vacant by up to 3%. A study by Hawaiʻi Appleseed estimated that there are 35,000 units sitting vacant on Oʻahu. -
The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting’s new technology has allowed the code review process to decrease to just nine days for residential permits. Six months ago, the code review process for a residential permit took half a year. -
Short-term rentals may soon be allowed on apartment-zoned land along Hoakalei Resort and Lagoon in ʻEwa Beach. The Honolulu City Council Planning and Economy Committee advanced a bill that adjusts land uses across the island. -
The Honolulu City Council is considering a task force that would look into merging the Honolulu Emergency Services Department with the Honolulu Fire Department. -
The state House of Representatives has new leadership with Rep. Nadine Nakamura becoming the new speaker of the House. HPR’s Ashley Mizuo reports on efforts to change the rules in the House that advocates say will increase transparency. -
The 2024 general election was seen as a big win for Republicans, not just nationally, but locally as well. HPR’s Ashley Mizuo reports on shifting political views in Hawaiʻi — particularly in West Oʻahu. -
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has received a four-year $72 million federal grant to build infrastructure, increase workforce development programs and establish community centers on DHHL land for better digital access. -
Nakamura assuming the speaker position did not come as a surprise. Moments after former Speaker Scott Saiki lost his seat in the August primary to Kim Coco Iwamoto, House members were talking about Nakamura as the next speaker. -
Oʻahu North Shore Sen. Brenton Awa said he will be the new Senate minority leader next legislative session. This comes just hours after he narrowly won reelection in the general election, beating Democratic challenger Ben Shafer by a few hundred votes — as of Wednesday afternoon. -
Election night in Hawaiʻi was plagued with long lines for in-person voting across the state — with the last person in the state casting their ballot around midnight. Initial results were released soon after. Here are five takeaways from Hawaiʻi's local elections.
