“Hawai‘i State Senators open session with “business as usual”

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – Hawai‘i State Legislature Opening Day for the Twenty-Eighth Legislative session will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 10 a.m. in the Senate Chambers. This is the second year of the legislative biennium and the Legislature will hold a modest opening to the session with a business as usual approach. Floor proceedings will not include entertainment, and family members, friends and guests will not be seated on the chamber floors. Following the floor session, legislators have the option to host guests in their individual offices.

The public is welcomed to attend the opening floor sessions. Chamber galleries will open at 9:45 a.m. and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We will continue to adhere to the recent custom of not having any ceremonies or fanfare in this second year of the biennium as the Senate is poised to undertake the task of the people’s work,” said Senate President, Sen. Ronald D. Kouchi.

The Opening Day schedule in the Senate Chambers will be as follows:

Moment of Contemplation by Pastor Matt Higa of New Hope, Kauai Singing of National Anthem and Hawai‘i Pono‘i by Nalani Brun Gavel in Roll call Senate President’s and Minority Leader’s Remarks Business Adjournment

Opening Day will be broadcast live by ‘Ōlelo on channel 53. Neighbor islands will also be able to view the broadcast either live or tape delayed through the following public access organizations:

Kauai: Ho’ike Community Television (www.hoike.org), phone (808) 246-1556 (no web-streaming). Maui: Akaku: Maui Community Television (www.akaku.org), phone (808) 871-5554 (web-streaming available). Big Island: Na Leo O Hawaii (www.naleo.tv), phone (808) 935-8874 (Hilo) or (808) 329-9617 (Kailua-Kona) (web-streaming available).

The public can access more information on hearings and session activities on the Legislature’s website at www.capitol.hawaii.gov