HAWAIʻI STATE LEGISLATURE PROVIDES $2.3 MILLION IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS

Bills continue successful Promise Program and expand HINET Program to help with tuition, basic needs

Representative Justin Woodson, Chair of the House Lower and Higher Education Committee, along with other Representatives, Senators, UH staff and students discuss the bills passed this year to support community college students.

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – In recent years, paying for a college education has become too expensive for many people, and students who are at an economic disadvantage are disproportionately affected. To offset costs for tuition and basic needs, state lawmakers have passed two bills appropriating more than $2.3 million in state funds to help our young people achieve their dream of a college degree.

The first bill is SB316 SD2 HD2 – Hawaiʻi Community College Promise Program.

·         This bill provides $1.4 million ($700,000 for each of the next two fiscal years) to cover community college tuition for eligible students once all other federal aid and public and private scholarships are exhausted.

·         The bill also requires the University of Hawaiʻi to collect data on how well the Promise Program directly increases the likelihood that a recipient attends college and completes a degree program.

HAWAIʻI STATE LEGISLATURE PASSES BILL PACKAGE TO SUPPORT KUPUNA CARE SERVICES

Bills totaling over $20 million in funding passed to support elder services in the community

House and Senate lawmakers today approved four Kupuna Caucus bills, bringing total funding to over $20 million for elder services in the community. This package of four bills dedicates $18 million to kupuna care services, expands and strengthens the Kupuna Caregivers Program, supports healthy aging in the community, and provides funds to coordinate and improve Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia services in the community. 

LAWMAKERS, STAFF DONATE 432 POUNDS OF GENTLY USED CLOTHING TO THE YWCA'S DRESS FOR SUCCESS PROGRAM

Lawmakers, including members of the Women's Legislative Caucus, collected 432 pounds of gently used professional clothing for the YWCA's Dress for Success program. (Standing, from left) Rep. Della Au Belatti, Rep. Cynthia Thielen, Sen. Rosalyn H. Baker, Rep. Nadine K. Nakamura, Rep. Gregg Takayama, Maryann Bray, YWCA Lead Member Services Associate, Rep. Lisa Kitagawa, House Speaker Scott K. Saiki, Rep. Sylvia Luke, Kepola Dudoit, YWCA resident artist, (seated from left) Rep. Linda Ichiyama (with baby Emily), Rep. Dee Morikawa, Rep. Joy San Buenaventura, and Cecilia Fong, the YWCA Director of Fund Development.

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Members and staff at the Hawaiʻi State Legislature have donated 432 pounds of gently used professional clothing, shoes, handbags, and other assorted items to the Dress for Success Program hosted by the YWCA O‘ahu.

The items were collected from March 25 to April 10 and presented to the YWCA today. The clothing will be provided to women – many of them formerly incarcerated – making a second start in life with the help of the YWCA. 

HAWAIʻI STATE LEGISLATURE PASSES JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM MEASURES

Attending today's press conference on Juvenile Justice bills (from left) were Representative John Mizuno, Chair of the House Health Committee, James Dold, founder and president of Human Rights for Kids, Kat Brady, Coordinator for the Community Alliance on Prisons, Representative Joy San Buenaventura, Chair of the House Human Services & Homelessness Committee, Representative Chris Lee, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, and Karl Rhoads, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Lawmakers this week passed bills to protect children's constitutional rights when in police custody and to limit long sentences for minors.

"Too little attention has been paid to the most vulnerable casualties of mass incarceration in America — our children," said Representative John M. Mizuno, introducer of both measures. "From the point of entry and arrest, to sentencing and incarceration, our treatment of children in the justice system is long overdue for re-examination and reform."

House Bill 217 HD1 SD1 requires that when an officer has custody of a child under the age of 16, the child shall consult with legal counsel before waiving any constitutional rights and before any custodial interrogation. House Bill 218 HD1 SD2 grants the Circuit Court, when sentencing a minor for a nonviolent criminal offense, the discretion to impose a sentence that includes a period of incarceration as much as 50 percent shorter than any mandatory minimum and, in certain cases, decline to impose a mandatory enhanced sentence.

LAWMAKERS, STAKEHOLDERS CREATE BLUEPRINT FOR HUMAN SERVICES FOR COFA CITIZENS

Representative John Mizuno (D – Kalihi Valley, Kamehameha Heights, Lower Kalihi), Chair of the House Committee on Health, together with fellow lawmakers and stakeholder organizations formed an initial outline of solutions to address the unique needs of Compact of Free Association citizens in Hawaiʻi.

"This is a blueprint for a path in the right direction for both Compact citizens and the state," said Rep. Mizuno. "When Pacific Islanders do well, our entire state benefits."

HOUSE AMENDS, APPROVES 85 SENATE BILLS FOR FINAL CROSSOVER

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – With two days left before the Second Crossover deadline, the House today passed an additional 85 Senate bills. These bills now head back to the Senate for their consideration. If the Senate does not agree to amendments made by the House, the bills will be negotiated in conference committees. To date, 236 bills have crossed over from the House to the Senate.

Key measures that passed by the House today includes homeless services, emergency highway appropriations, election reforms, kupuna caregivers funding, ambulance services changes, community college Promise Program support, bail reform, and gun violence prevention.

Below are some highlights from today's session:

Ambulance Services

SB417 SD2 HD2 Authorizes the Department of Health to establish fees for transportation and provision of emergency medical services. Authorizes transportation to certain medical facilities and to medical facilities other than hospital emergency departments.

Bail Reform

SB1423 HD1 Permits defendants for whom a monetary amount of bail has been set to pay the bail amount seven-days-a-week on a 24-hour basis and be released from custody upon posting or payment of bail.

STATEMENT BY HOUSE SPEAKER SCOTT K. SAIKI ON HOUSE BILL 1326 RELATING TO WATER RIGHTS

House of Representatives Speaker Scott K. Saiki released the following statement on the Water Rights Bill.

"The report that the House leadership is pressuring the Senate to advance HB 1326 during its floor session is not true. At this point, it is entirely up to the Senate leadership to determine how it wants to proceed. Whatever the leadership decides, it is important that the Legislature be civil and reasoned, rather than divisive."

REPRESENTATIVE GATES SUBMITS INQUIRY REGARDING MĀKAHA VALLEY RESORT DEVELOPMENT, ORGANIZES TOWN HALL

Pacific Links' renovation announcement met with mixed community response

Representative Cedric Asuega Gates (Waiʻanae, Mākaha, Mākua, Māʻili) submitted an official inquiry to the City & County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting, Board of Water Supply, and Pacific Links International to request permitting information regarding the proposed renovation of Mākaha Valley Resort, and is organizing a community town hall to provide residents with the opportunity to give input on the project.

Pacific Links International announced plans to redevelop Mākaha Valley Resort, including creating homes and enlisting professional golfer Tiger Woods to redesign the golf course. Rep. Gates said residents have been responding with mixed reviews. Among concerns are the impacts this resort may have on the fabric of Mākaha's small-town community. On the other hand, many community members shared positive memories of the former resort, touting the past beneficial economic impacts and employment opportunities that it brought to Mākaha.   

NEW BRANDING CAMPAIGN BEING LAUNCHED TO SUPPORT HAWAIʻI ISLAND TOURISM

$2.5 Million Allocated to Bolster Efforts in the U.S. Mainland and Japan

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Tourism on the island of Hawai‘i – the island’s leading industry – is receiving some much-needed support with an emphasis on new branding initiatives and increased marketing funding for its two largest markets, the U.S. mainland and Japan.

On March 28, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s (HTA) Board of Directors approved reallocating $2.5 million in funding to support new marketing efforts to help the island of Hawai‘i recover from the falloff in tourism stemming from Kīlauea’s change in volcanic activity that began 11 months ago.

Representative Richard H. K. Onishi, chair of the House Committee on Tourism & International Affairs and whose district covers Hilo, Kea‘au, Kurtistown, and Volcano, said this added emphasis to help businesses, communities, and residents on the island of Hawai‘i is appreciated.

"The Legislature last week approved an additional $60 million in emergency relief funding to repair damaged infrastructure," said Onishi. "But money for infrastructure alone will not fix the damaged economy. That is why I was gratified to learn that the HTA is stepping up to the plate to provide funds to help revive Hawai‘i Island's economy."

HEALTH COMMITTEE TO HOLD INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING ON HEALTH CARE FOR COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION CITIZENS

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –The House Committee on Health will hold an informational briefing to focus on solutions to improve integrated health care services for Compact of Free Association citizens while prudently using state resources, with a focus on preventive care to significantly reduce costs related to emergency care. The briefing will seek consensus building with state and non-profit agencies to address the unique needs of Compact citizens.

HAWAIʻI STATE LEGISLATURE PROVIDES ADDITIONAL $60 MILLION FOR BIG ISLAND DISASTER RELIEF

Lawmakers move bill quickly to provide support for devastated Puna residents

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Knowing the tremendous need of Big Island residents following the devastating Kilauea eruption that destroyed homes, farms, and infrastructure last year, lawmakers moved quickly this session to provide financial support by passing HB 1180 HD1.

During a press conference today, Big Island lawmakers talked about the road to recovery for Hawaiʻi Island.

REPRESENTATIVE GATES SAYS HDOT'S VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED PROPOSAL IS UNFAIR TO THE PEOPLE OF WEST OʻAHU

Representative Cedric Asuega Gates (Waiʻanae, Mākaha, Mākua, Māʻili) is urging West Oʻahu residents to make their voices heard at two upcoming meetings about the proposed Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) initiative being conducted by the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT).

"The HDOT is looking into the concept of a road usage charge system to generate more funds for road maintenance. I want to clarify that I am against this road usage charge system," said Rep. Gates. "The road usage charge system would charge individuals a tax that would correspond with how many miles they drive each year. Because they drive so far every day, the residents of the Wai‘anae coast would have to pay the highest fees for this new road usage charge system."

REPRESENTATIVE HAR PRESENTS KAPOLEI KEIKI WELLNESS RESOURCE FAIR

WHO:             Representative Sharon Har, 42nd House District (Kapolei, Makakilo)

WHAT:          KAPOLEI KEIKI WELLNESS RESOURCE FAIR

                        Representative Sharon Har, in partnership with Kapolei High School, will be hosting the Kapolei Keiki Wellness Resource Fair. We have partnered with businesses and community service providers to create a one-stop shop for parents and families to obtain information on raising healthy, safe, and well keiki.

Over 40 participants are confirmed for this annual event. Event highlights include free keiki IDs, vision check-ups, games, activities, and giveaways. Children and families island-wide are invited to attend.

PRESS CONFERENCE ON BILL TO PROVIDE HAWAIʻI ISLAND DISASTER FUNDING IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING SESSION

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Hawaiʻi Island representatives and senators and Hawaiʻi County councilmembers will hold a press conference to discuss HB 1180 HD1 – the Hawaiʻi Island disaster relief funding bill. The bill is scheduled for third reading in the Senate on March 29.

The press conference will be held at 1 p.m. in room 445, immediately following House and Senate sessions.

LAWMAKERS HOST TALK ABOUT FOOD SAFETY WITH US FOOD AND DRUG AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Representative Lynn DeCoite, the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, and the University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension are sponsoring an informational meeting on food safety and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance with visiting FDA representatives Mark Chen, Stephen Hughes, and Stelios Viazis. Agricultural stakeholders have been invited for a meaningful dialogue with FDA officials.

The meeting is open to the public. RSVP encouraged due to room capacity. To register, contact Rebecca Crall at Rep. DeCoite's office at (808) 586-6790 or r.crall@capitol.hawaii.gov, or register online: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/fbadb5e5f4dc4a5034538d7d4481ef37

LEGISLATURE GIVES EARLY APPROVAL FOR THE STATE BUDGET BILL

Priorities include new state hospital staff, airport improvements, debt service payments

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House and the Senate today approved a final version of HB 2 HD1 SD 1 CD1, the state budget bill, which includes operating monies to run the state government. The bill puts a priority on appropriating funds to staff the new state hospital, make needed improvements at state airports, and pay down our debt service.

The House Finance Committee and the Senate Ways and Means Committee met in conference last week to finalize the bill. Conferees approved the $16 billion budget covering fiscal years 2020 and 2021 about a month earlier than in previous legislative sessions.

HOUSE PASSES BILL TO DECRIMINALIZE LIMITED CANNABIS POSSESSION

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Today (March 7) the House of Representatives passed HB1383 HD2, which decriminalizes the possession of three or less grams of cannabis and instead establishes a fine of $200.

"This law keeps drug dealers behind bars where they belong, but also keeps regular people who just had a joint out of jail to avoid creating more hardened criminals which makes crime worse," said Representative Chris Lee, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee and introducer of the measure. "It removes the unnecessary permanent mark from their record so they can go back to school, get a better job, and take care of their family. If we want to actually reduce crime and reduce substance abuse, then our taxpayer dollars are more effectively spent on treatment rather than jailing people at a cost of $146 per person per day."

HOUSE LEADERSHIP DETAILS ELECTIONS AND ETHICS REFORM BILLS

Judiciary Chair Chris Lee (at podium) discusses the House bills passed to support good governance at a press conference today with House Speaker Scott K. Saiki (from left), Finance Chair Sylvia Luke, Vice Speaker Mark M. Nakashima, Representative Chris Todd, and Representative Stacelynn K.M. Eli. 

Representatives say bills also address money in politics, fight public corruption

 
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – House Leadership and Representatives gathered today to discuss a package of more than a dozen bills passed out of the House this session designed to reform elections, address money in politics, and fight public corruption.

“We are making it our priority to take proactive steps to ensure public confidence in our elections process and government,” said House Speaker Scott K. Saiki.

“These bills represent the most significant reforms in Hawaiʻi’s elections and ethics laws in a generation," said House Judiciary Chair Chris Lee, introducer of a number of the bills. "They will engage new voters, resolve election recounts, and prevent questions over conflicts of interest and money in politics here in Hawaiʻi that currently plague Washington, D.C.”

HOUSE PASSES 169 BILLS ON THIRD READING FOCUSING ON GOOD GOVERNMENT, ELECTIONS, HOMELESSNESS, EDUCATION

As the 2019 Legislative Session nears its crossover deadline this week, the House of Representatives has passed nearly 500 bills during a productive session focused on good government, homelessness, and education.

Majority Leader Della Au Belatti said significant bills have been passed this session regarding campaign finance reform, elections issues, ending public corruption, and important social and economic issues including minimum wage, sea level change, and replacing the Aloha Stadium.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MOVES 197 BILLS ON ELECTION REFORM, CLIMATE CHANGE, MINIMUM WAGE, EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, CRIME, TAXES TO THE SENATE

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House of Representatives passed 197 bills on third reading today, moving them to the Senate for their consideration. The bills include measures on election reform, climate change and the environment, minimum wage, education, public safety, crime, taxes, and other important issues.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MOVES 127 BILLS ON HEALTH, HOMELESSNESS, DISASTER RELIEF, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND FIREARMS TO THE SENATE

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House of Representatives passed 127 bills on third reading today, moving them to the Senate for their consideration. The bills include disaster relief for Hawaiʻi Island for damages and losses caused by the eruption of Kilauea volcano, homelessness, health, public safety, firearms, and other important issues.

FINANCE COMMITTEE PASSES BILLS RELATING TO DISASTER RELIEF, VOTING BY MAIL, DUI, AND SAFETY AT THE STATE CAPITOL

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Today the State House Committee on Finance chaired by Representative Sylvia J. Luke (Makiki, Punchbowl, Nuʻuanu, Dowsett Highlands, Pacific Heights, Pauoa) passed dozens of bills, including:

HB 1180, HD1              RELATING TO NATURAL DISASTERS.

Appropriates $60 million for disaster relief, recovery, mitigation, and remediation activities for the County of Hawaii. The Kilauea eruption covered nearly 14 square miles in Puna; it destroyed 716 homes and made over three thousand parcels inaccessible, and destroyed a school, farms, cultural sites, roadways, water systems, recreational destinations, and a large portion of the electrical grid. The state has already allocated $22 million for recovery efforts bringing the total funding to $82 million. The governor, the legislature, and the Hawaii County Council all support this bill. The bill requires reporting of monthly expenditures to the Department of Budget and Finance.

HOUSE COMMITTEES VOTE TO PROVIDE $60 MILLION IN DISASTER RELIEF FOR HAWAIʻI ISLAND FOLLOWING KILAUEA ERUPTION

Cooperative efforts of House, Senate, County, and Administration make funding possible

The House Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee in a joint hearing with three other House committees today amended and passed HB 1180 that provides $60 million in disaster relief for Hawaiʻi Island following the destruction caused last year by the Kilauea eruption.

Of the $60 million total, $20 million would be set aside in a state grant and $40 million would be designated for a state loan with an expected payback from the federal government. Spending the funds would be subject to the Hawaiʻi County Council approval. The state has already provided $22 million in emergency funds for Big Island disaster relief, bringing the total package to $82 million.

The bill has the support of the House, Senate lawmakers and leadership, the Hawaiʻi County Council, and the Ige Administration and now moves to the House Finance Committee where Chair Sylvia J. Luke has said she would expedite it.

LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE BY MAUI'S TWO NEW HOUSE LAWMAKERS

Measures address minimum wage, sea level rise, school capacity and repair, illegal short-term vacation rentals

Maui's two new freshmen lawmakers, Representatives Tina M.L. Wildberger (Kīhei, Wailea, Mākena) and Troy N. Hashimoto (Kahakuloa, Waihe‘e, Waiehu, Pu‘uohala, Wailuku, Waikapū), introduced their first slate of bills to address issues of top concern to Maui residents. The measures include addressing the minimum wage, sea level rise, invasive species, school capacity and repair, and illegal vacation rentals. 

HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES OHA FUNDING BILL

The House Committee on Water, Land & Hawaiian Affairs on January 30 passed out House Bill 402 which substantially increases funding for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries.  This measure would establish $35 million as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' pro rata share of the public land trust and transfers a lump sum of $139 million to OHA for underpayment of the public land trust funds.

HAWAIIAN CAUCUS WEEK AT THE STATE CAPITOL

Recognition, activities to honor community leaders

The Hawaiʻi State Legislature's Native Hawaiian Caucus Co-Chairs, Senator Jarrett Keohokalole and Representative Daniel Holt, with 43 of their colleagues, are sponsoring Hawaiian Caucus Week and Hawaiian Caucus Day to honor community leaders that have contributed to the advancement of Native Hawaiians and to recognize the contributions of our ‘ōpi‘o (youth), makua (parents), kūpuna (elders), Hawaiian at Heart supporters, and ‘ahahui (organizations).

HOUSE VOTES TO ADOPT NEW WORKPLACE HARASSMENT POLICY

 Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – On Thursday, January 24, the House of Representatives adopted by resolution the House Administrative and Financial Manual for the Thirtieth Legislature 2019-2020.  Chapter 27 of the manual contains the House's new Workplace Harassment Policy.

"Changes were made to the House Workplace Harassment Policy to provide better direction, increase accountability, and facilitate appropriate follow-up of any complaints," said House Speaker Scott K. Saiki (McCully, Kāheka, Kakaʻako, Downtown). "This policy will help ensure that all members, staff, and the public are protected."

A sign detailing where to read the new policy will be posted in all members' offices, agency offices, conference rooms, and on bulletin boards.

HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES BILL TO INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE

Lawmakers seek to protect worker benefits and be sensitive to the burden on employers

The House Committee on Labor & Public Employment today passed HB1191 HD1 to increase Hawaiʻi's minimum wage. The bill will increase the state minimum wage on a gradual basis beginning on January 1, 2020 through 2024, with smaller wage increases for employees receiving employer-sponsored health insurance to incentivize employers to continue to provide that benefit.

"The bill balances the real need of lower-wage workers to keep up with Hawaiʻi's high cost of living and small businesses' ability to continue doing business amidst the significant burdens imposed on them by the state," said Representative Aaron Ling Johanson, Chair of the Committee on Labor & Public Employment. "The bill improves the wages of those who are most vulnerable with less risk of compromising those same employees' health insurance currently paid for by the employer."