Engagement Reporter (Hawaiʻi island)

Date Posted	October 06, 2025
Industry	Newspapers
Specialty	Not Specified
Remote / Telecommute	Hybrid
Job Status	Full-time
Salary	$55,000 - $70,000

Description:

Overview

Civil Beat is seeking a community engagement reporter who will produce a regular cadence of local stories, write for a weekly newsletter and social media, and help organize and host place-based events as part of our award-winning digital news nonprofit dedicated to accountability journalism in Hawaiʻi.

We believe that journalism can and should make a difference. That a vibrant news organization is vital to democracy. That we can improve the lives of people and inform public policy through solid, smart coverage. 

This position is part of expanding our coverage of Hawaiʻi island issues as well as how they intersect with the broader story of the state. This beat is well-suited to a reporter with deep curiosity and creativity, a knack for developing sources, an ability to build trust in the community and a sharp eye for stories that people will care about.

The ideal candidate has demonstrated:

• A minimum of two years' journalism experience
• A digital mindset and multimedia skills
• A propensity for journalistic digging and data
• Source building and compelling storytelling
• Knowledge of Hawaiʻi island

We're also willing to consider great candidates who may not have every skill on our ideal checklist. But you must have a clear idea of what you want to do with the wide-open opportunities that Civil Beat offers journalists who are serious about making a difference, with enthusiasm for everything from online-first storytelling to developing a voice for a newsletter, from planning community events to collaborating with reporters at our Oʻahu headquarters and on other neighbor islands – and more. 

Location

This position is based on Hawaiʻi island and preference will be given to candidates with local roots. 

How We Take Care Of Our People

Civil Beat pays competitive salaries and has excellent benefit packages:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 100% healthcare 

The final salary offer for this position will depend on experience and qualifications. The anticipated salary range for this role is between $55,000–$70,000.

How To Apply

If you are ready to embrace the energy, excitement and demands of a 15-year-old nonprofit newsroom covering Hawaiʻi and its diverse population, then send a resume, cover letter, and two or three examples of your very best journalism to apply@civilbeat.org. Job is open now and applications will be accepted until it is filled. 

About Civil Beat + Hawaiʻi

Honolulu Civil Beat is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt news organization dedicated to cultivating an informed body of citizens, all striving to make Hawaiʻi a better place to live. We achieve this through investigative and watchdog journalism, in-depth enterprise reporting, analysis and commentary that gives readers a broad view on issues of importance to our community. Our mix of investigative, watchdog and explanatory journalism has informed fundamental changes in Hawaiʻi law, policies and practices as well as positive social change. Our core readers include Hawaiʻi's major movers and shakers: lawmakers, nonprofit leaders, advocates and community leaders. We are seeking to expand our newsroom to better serve the most marginalized and sidelined communities across the islands. 

Honolulu Civil Beat is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to build a newsroom that reflects the diversity and lived experience of people in Hawaiʻi. We encourage people from all communities to apply.