HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI – The Hawaiʻi State Senate Committees on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, in conjunction with the Native Hawaiian Affairs Caucus, convened an informational briefing today to examine the history, purpose and significance of programs and institutions established to support Native Hawaiians. The briefing brought together experts in Native Hawaiian history, law and public policy to explore historical circumstances that lead to the creation of these programs, their role in addressing longstanding inequities and their continued importance to Native Hawaiian families and communities. Senator Jarrett Keohokalole (District 24 – Kāneʻohe, Kailua), Chair of the Native Hawaiian Affairs Caucus, emphasized the importance of understanding why these programs were established and the communities they were intended to serve. “These programs and institutions were established in response to generations of historical injustices and the unique circumstances facing Native Hawaiians,” said Senator Keohokalole. They represent efforts to address those injustices and create opportunities for Native Hawaiian families through education, health care and access to Hawaiian Home Lands. Understanding their history and purpose is essential to recognizing their value and ensuring they continue serving future generations.” The briefing included an overview by Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees Chair Kaialiʻi Kahele, followed by presentations examining the historical and legal foundations of Native Hawaiian-focused educational, health and housing programs. Derek H. Kauanoe, Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law, provided historical context on Native Hawaiian-focused programs including Kamehameha Schools and the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program, and the factors that shaped their development. Tyler Iokepa Gomes, Chief Administrator of the Kilohana Collective at the Hawaiian Council, discussed the history of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and the importance of Hawaiian Home Lands in providing Native Hawaiian families with opportunities to have a home and maintain their connections to ancestral lands. “Understanding the history behind these programs is essential to understanding why they exist and the important role they continue to play today,” said Senator Karl Rhoads (District 13 – Dowsett Highlands, Puʻunui, Nuʻuanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, Liliha, ʻIwilei, Chinatown and Downtown), Chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary. “As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to understand the historical circumstances that led to their establishment and recognize the lasting significance of these institutions. This briefing provided an opportunity to deepen that understanding and help inform our work moving forward.” The informational briefing also provided an opportunity for members of the Senate Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committees and the Native Hawaiian Affairs Caucus to ask questions and deepen understanding of the history, purpose and continued importance of these programs and institutions. The briefing was held at the State Capitol and livestreamed on the Senate’s YouTube channel. ###

HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI – State Senate Committee on Ways and Means Chair Donovan M. Dela Cruz (District 17 – portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipiʻo Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village) emphasized the importance of expanding economic opportunities and investing in workforce development following the release of the 2026 Hawaiʻi Quality of Life and Well-Being Dashboard. The dashboard, released October 12 by the Social Science Research Institute’s Health Policy Initiative in the College of Social Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, in partnership with the Office of Wellness and Resilience under the Office of the Governor, presents findings from a statewide survey that assesses well-being, quality of life and workplace wellness among Hawaiʻi residents. Based on responses from more than 10,000 residents statewide, the findings show improvements in overall health and life satisfaction but also highlight ongoing concerns about the cost of living and a growing number of residents considering leaving Hawaiʻi. One of the most significant findings reveals that 46% of residents considered moving out of state in the past year, compared to 40% in 2024, with the cost of living cited as a major factor. “Repeating the statewide quality of life survey, which we funded through Act 106 in 2024, helps us understand what is working, where challenges remain, and how conditions are changing over time,” said Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz. “When nearly half of our residents are considering leaving Hawaii, that is a clear signal that we must continue diversifying our economy and expanding economic opportunity. That means investing in workforce development, creating pathways to good-paying careers, and reversing the brain drain so our residents can build their futures here at home.” Other key findings from the 2026 survey include: Challenges for younger residents: Adults ages 18-34 reported more mentally unhealthy days than older residents (65 or older). Continued financial pressures: More than half (52%) of households earning $25,000 to $49,000 considered leaving Hawaiʻi in the past year. Continued food insecurity: 27% of households earning less than $25,000 face food insecurity. The survey was funded through Act 106, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 2024, which Senator Dela Cruz championed. Conducted for the second time, the statewide survey allows policymakers and community organizations to track changes over time, identify ongoing challenges and use the findings to help guide decisions that improve the quality of life for Hawaiʻi residents. The interactive dashboard allows the public to explore findings by county, demographics and other categories, and compare results from 2024 and 2026. To view the 2026 Hawaiʻi Quality of Life and Well-Being Dashboard, visit https://www.health-study.com/ ###

Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi – The Kauaʻi delegation will host a Legislative Town Hall on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Kauaʻi Philippine Cultural Center. Residents are invited to join the delegation for a discussion on legislative updates, ongoing projects, and key issues affecting Kauaʻi, including updates related to Hurricane Lowell recovery. Representatives from the Kauaʻi branch of the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation and the County of Kauaʻi will also participate in the town hall to provide updates and answer questions from the community. The evening will include a presentation followed by a question-and-answer session. WHO: Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi House Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura House Majority Leader Dee Morikawa House Committee on Housing Chair Luke A. Evslin Kauaʻi Branch of the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation County of Kauaʻi Representatives WHAT: Kauaʻi Legislative Town Hall WHEN: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ###

Keiki Fest Combines Education with Entertainment The Molokai Dispatch Jack Kiyonaga May 8, 2025 Original Article This year’s annual Keiki Fest was a successful mix of entertaining activities and critical information for Molokai families. Organized by the Molokai Community Action Team, the event focused on ‘ohana well-being, explained Titi Hernandez, lead organizer of Keiki Fest. “It’s for the keiki and their families,” said Hernandez. “We wanted to celebrate the keiki a little bit more as well as have a place for families to hang out.” With over 1,200 Molokai community members in attendance at the Molokai Community Health Center on April 26, Hernandez and the Molokai Community Action Team were busy ushering kids and families between information booths, games, prizes, music performances and more. The Molokai Community Action Team partners with Molokai Child Abuse Prevention Pathways to deliver critical messages and education to families at Keiki Fest. The informational booths with different Molokai services and resources serve as checkpoints for kids to earn prizes, explained Hernandez. “Nobody can get a prize until they get education,” she said. Senator Lynn DeCoite, fresh out of the senate’s final budget discussions, came out with her family to enjoy the day and present special recognitions on behalf of the senate. “This event says a lot about our community,” said DeCoite. “I think this gives us an opportunity to come out and share some of our mana’o on how we can do better for Molokai.” DeCoite presented the Molokai Community Action Team with an award from the senate for their community contributions. Additionally, Jodi Puaoi, branch manager at American Savings Bank, was recognized for her years of contributions to Keiki Fest. “This Keiki Fest wouldn’t be here without you,” said DeCoite to Puaoi as she presented her with the award. The day ended with the highlight to end all highlights – the fire trucks came and sprayed the kids with water hoses. As DeCoite put it, “the kids are happy, the parents are happy, everyone is happy.”

Full-Time Criminal Investigative Unit Proposed To Tackle Illegal Fireworks Honolulu Civil Beat Chad Blair January 7, 2025 Original Article A report submitted to the Hawaiʻi Legislature Friday concludes that illegal fireworks are being smuggled into the state by sea and air on a year-round and possibly daily basis. It’s sustained by a flourishing and well-established black market that local law enforcement has found difficult to disrupt and dismantle. The report from the state’s Illegal Fireworks Task Force urges the Legislature to consider creating a full-time criminal investigation unit within the Department of Law Enforcement to confront the problem on a permanent basis. “Only a full-time approach can bring the necessary cultural changes to confront the fireworks problem at-large in Hawaii,” the report states. The Salt Lake area viewed after midnight from a Honolulu Airport parking structure showed only a small portion of the many aerial fireworks ignited this New Year’s Eve. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025) While specific funding, staffing and equipment for the unit are not suggested in the report, it also recommends a new firearms and explosives laboratory — estimated to cost $2 million — within the law enforcement agency. Hawaiʻi has only one forensic lab, housed in the Honolulu Police Department. Sen. Karl Rhoads, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, welcomed the recommendation for a new criminal unit. “I think it’s the only really viable idea because, as they point out, there’s a lot of similarities between narcotics and fireworks,” Rhoads said. “And they’ve been using the narcotics investigators to investigate fireworks cases. That’s great in the short term, but it’s not going to work in the long term.” An ‘Alluring Attraction’ To Make Money Illegally The task force’s work was ordered by lawmakers in 2023, long before the massive fireworks explosion on New Year’s Eve in a Salt Lake neighborhood on Oʻahu. As of Monday, four people have been reported dead and around two dozen injured from that explosion, while another person was killed in a separate fireworks-related incident on Oʻahu. Now, leaders including Hawaiʻi’s governor, Honolulu’s mayor and several state senators and representatives are stepping up their demands for action. In addition to the Department of Law Enforcement, agencies taking part in the task force include the Honolulu Police Department, the Department of the Attorney General, the Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and U.S. Customs and Border Control. Their recommendations are likely to be considered by the Legislature, which convenes Jan. 15. The Illegal Fireworks Task Force, which will conclude its work in June unless the Legislature extends its mission, was required to submit a final report this month. It previously reported that 227,000 pounds of illegal fireworks have been seized . The Friday report says that two people have pleaded no contest to felony indictments and 20 others were issued misdemeanor citations. The report says there are ongoing criminal investigations, so public discussion of tactics, techniques and procedures “would frustrate legitimate government interests.” The report, though only eight pages long, offers several insights into why the illegal enterprise is so popular. It calls the marketplace “an alluring attraction” for those looking to make money illegally. Street sources, according to the report, say that the return on investment for those who smuggle illegal fireworks into Hawaii is at a rate of 5 to 1. That means that if a typical smuggling organization purchases a shipping container of fireworks for $200,000 at wholesale, that same container has a street value of about $1 million once it arrives in the islands. ‘Kingpins, Conspirators’ Run Illicit Networks During the 2023 holiday season the task force found that street prices for illegal fireworks were already “astronomically high.” The Department of Law Enforcement said prices had been expected to be higher during the 2024 holiday season because there was “heat” from law enforcement and risk of loss of investment due to bulk seizures. In short, the task force aims “to price offenders out of the marketplace,” leading to reduced demand. But it will take long-term, comprehensive investigations to not only seize prohibited explosive material but also to find and prosecute the people running the illicit networks — “kingpins, conspirators, and their associated criminal finances and assets.” To do that, a new crime unit is necessary because the task force is only part time. While claiming success from its work, the task force concept in the long term “is not sustainable” the report states. It does not call for increased penalties for possession of contraband. Nor does it accomplish two of its primary purposes: to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to stop illegal fireworks, and to ensure the safety and security of airports, harbors and other facilities from explosive discharges. The first goal requires more work, the report states, which will begin “in earnest” this year. And, while the task force says it has increased awareness and surveillance at Hawaii’s ports of entry and mail distribution systems, “a sustained full-time effort” is needed.

Fireworks task force bill passes out of committee; now headed for final reading Maui Now Brian Perry February 13, 2025 Original Article The Hawaiʻi Senate Ways and Means Committee passed Senate Bill 222 , which would fund an illegal fireworks task force. Although the amount of funding is not specified, the measure is now headed for third reading on the Senate floor before crossing over to the House of Representatives. A committee news release pointed out that Chair Donovan Dela Cruz established the task force in 2021. “The group focuses on intercepting illegal fireworks and addressing the growing problem of homemade explosives in the community, helping to improve public safety and reduce related risks.” On Feb. 5, the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs recommended passage of the bill — the same day that Honolulu police announced that a sixth person died from injuries suffered in a New Year’s fireworks explosion in Honolulu. The blast of fireworks initially killed three adults and left more than 20 people in critical or serious medical condition. Most public testimony was in support of the bill. For example, Allen Novak said: “I support this measure as it helps to curb the use of illegal fireworks in Hawai’i. In spite of claims to the contrary, aerial fireworks are not a cultural tradition, and they present a fire, health and nuisance hazard to the community.” The state Department of Law Enforcement reported that the Illegal Fireworks Task Force has successfully removed, so far, more than 200,000 pounds of illegal fireworks from Hawaiʻi’s streets. The bill would extend the sunset clause for the task force from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030, which the department said “is critical to maintain this momentum and ensure the long-term effectiveness of the Task Force’s mission.” Earlier written testimony also supported the funding for the task force, its operations and hiring of administrative support staff. Money also would cover reimbursements to law enforcement agencies for personnel, overtime, fuel, equipment and storage and disposal of confiscated fireworks. On Wednesday, 13 members of the Ways and Means Committee voted in favor of sending the bill to the Senate floor, including Chair Dela Cruz, Vice Chair Sharon Moriwaki and Sens. Henry Aquino, Lynn DeCoite, Brandon Elefante, Troy Hashimoto, Lorraine Inouye, Dru Mamo Kanuha, Michelle Kidani, Donna Mercado Kim, Chris Lee, Glenn Wakai and Kurt Fevella. Also Wednesday, the House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs Committee unanimously recommended passage of companion House Bill 508 on second reading. Supporting the measure were Chair David Tarnas, Vice Chair Mahina Poepoe and Reps. Della Au Belatti, Mark Hashem, Kirstin Kahaloa, Amy Perruso, Gregg Takayama, Chris Todd and Garner Shimizu. Rep. Diamond Garcia voted “aye” with reservations. In other Ways and Means Committee action, the panel advanced: Senate Bill 327 Senate Draft 1 , which would expand the Hele Imua internship program. The program allows residents to take part in paid internships with private businesses. Funded by the Legislature in 2022, Hele Imua provides opportunities for people to gain valuable work-based experience and support themselves and their families. “Workforce development programs like Hele Imua are critical to reversing the brain drain and keeping residents employed in Hawaiʻi,” according to the committee. Senate Bill 1117 Senate Draft 1 would clarify regulations around electric bikes (e-bikes), requiring helmets, setting age limits for certain types of e-bikes and introducing insurance requirements for electric motorcycles. “The goal is to promote the responsible use of e-bikes, which can help reduce people’s reliance on traditional vehicles,” the committee said. “The bill also expands an existing rebate program to encourage more people to use e-bikes in a safe and sustainable way.” Senate Bill 1044 Senate Draft 1 would address rapidly rising insurance costs for condominiums by expanding the Hawaiʻi Property Insurance Association and the Hawaiʻi Hurricane Relief Fund to offer coverage for properties that are unable to get insurance through private companies. The bill was amended to include a loan program to help condominiums with maintenance issues that have led to higher insurance premiums or made it difficult to get insurance from private companies.