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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While the state is still dealing with the aftermath of the Maui wildfires, the state legislature is considering a measure to address property damage in the case of future catastrophic wildfires.The measure would allow stakeholders to pay into a wildfire relief fund that would compensate property owners in the case of another wildfire. -
Maui fire survivors still living in hotels have had their daily meals reduced from three to one. The about 820 families still sheltering in hotels were notified via text message earlier this month. -
A state legislative bill to create a pilot program for a state-initiated expungement process for Hawaiʻi County passed a final reading in the House and will be transmitted to Gov. Josh Green for approval. -
A new report released by Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez includes a minute-by-minute analysis of the actions taken by emergency organizations and first responders, as well as an assessment of the environmental conditions that exacerbated the Lahaina fire in August 2023. It does not, however, determine the cause of the fire. HPR's Ashley Mizuo and Savannah Harriman-Pote have more. -
Lawmakers are considering a resolution that would address vegetation management to reduce risks of future wildfires. The group would focus on invasive, flammable grasses along utility lines and other vegetation growing on utility poles. -
Honolulu officials have started the process of removing the Haʻikū Stairs from the Koʻolau Mountains. The popular illegal hike, also known as the "Stairway to Heaven," has about 4,000 stairs. Debate has surrounded the removal for decades, heightened by neighborhood complaints of trespassing and noise. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports. -
Two measures that would allow counties to begin phasing out non-conforming use permits for transient vacation rental units passed out of both of their chambers. It would give counties more control over short-term rentals. HPR's Ashley Mizuo has more. -
The state Legislature is still working on measures addressing marijuana this session — not legalization, but increasing the amount covered by decriminalization. The attention to the regulation of the substance has raised questions about clearing criminal records for marijuana convictions under old laws. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports. -
The House passed a measure that requires the governor to submit reports to the state Legislature 14 days before using emergency grants. HPR's Ashley Mizuo explains. -
Lawmakers have advanced a three-strikes criminal penalty measure. It would elevate the penalty to a Class C felony for people convicted of three offenses for certain misdemeanors within five years. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports on what legislators think about the bill.
