HILO, HAWAIʻI – Senate Vice President Lorraine R. Inouye (Senate District 1– Hilo, Pauka‘a, Papaikou, Pepe‘ekeo) announced the release of $250,000 in Capital Improvement Program (CIP) special funds to advance the Tropical AgTech Center at the Hilo Foreign-Trade Zone located at the old Hilo airport on Hawaiʻi Island. The funding will support the design and construction of the greenhouse nursery for tissue culture and help expand agricultural technology resources for Hawaiʻi Island farmers. The Tropical AgTech Center is being developed by the State of Hawaiʻi Foreign-Trade Zone No. 9 (FTZ9), a division of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Island Agricultural Partnership. The project is designed to strengthen small-farm profitability, increase food security and support the growth of high-wage agricultural technology jobs on Hawaiʻi Island. “I’m especially pleased to see this investment in the Hilo Foreign-Trade Zone. The Hilo site became part of Hawaiʻi’s Foreign-Trade Zone program during my time as Mayor of Hawaiʻi County, and to see how it has evolved many years later is especially rewarding. This investment will help provide our farmers with access to technology and resources that can strengthen their operations while supporting the future of agriculture on Hawaiʻi Island,” said Senator Inouye. “I want to thank Governor Green for releasing these funds. I would also like to thank my colleagues in the State Legislature, U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono and Congresswoman Jill Tokuda for their continued support of this project. Investments in agricultural technology can help strengthen our local farms, improve our food security and create new economic opportunities for Hawaiʻi Island.”

HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI – Hawaiʻi State Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, Majority Whip, Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation, and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts, is urging federal officials to reject a proposal that could open federal waters off shore American Samoa to commercial deep-sea mineral mining, citing significant scientific uncertainty, potential irreversible environmental damage and the importance of protecting the Pacific Ocean for future generations. In an August 4 letter to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Senator Inouye expressed strong opposition to the agency’s Proposed Leasing Notice for commercial deep-sea mineral leasing offshore of American Samoa. In a statement, Senator Inouye said: “As someone with lifetime roots on Hawai‘i Island and a career dedicated to serving Hawai‘i’s rural communities in our island state, I understand that our relationship with the ocean is not just economic—it is cultural, ecological, and deeply personal. Our marine ecosystems sustain local fisheries, provide for the health and well-being of our families and communities, and define our island ways of life. The deep ocean is an essential part of that complex interconnected system, yet it remains one of the least understood environments on our planet. Scientists continue to warn that commercial deep-sea mining could cause irreversible damage by destroying deep-sea habitats, causing biodiversity loss, spreading sediment plumes, releasing heavy metal pollution into the marine environment, and contaminating fish, whales, sharks, and other marine life with toxic metals. Moving forward with commercial deep-sea mining before we fully understand its long-term impacts puts speculative and shortsighted profits ahead of the long-term health and survival of all our ocean-dependent communities. Hawai‘i has long been a leader in ocean stewardship because we recognize that the Pacific is both our home and our greatest shared responsibility. The priceless life-sustaining value of the deep ocean far outweighs the speculative benefits of commercial deep-sea mining. Given the significant scientific uncertainty and the risks of permanent environmental harm, Hawai‘i should stand firmly with other Pacific Island communities including American Samoa, in opposition to the commercialization of deep-sea mining and in support of lasting protections for our deep-ocean ecosystems. We can meet the growing demand for critical minerals through investments in recycling, innovation, and more responsible resource management and use, while safeguarding the ocean that has sustained Pacific Island communities for generations. Protecting the deep ocean reflects our responsibility to all the generations to come and upholds Hawai‘i’s enduring commitment to environmental stewardship, precautionary policymaking, and the conservation of our shared Pacific heritage.” In her letter, Senator Inouye urged BOEM to withdraw the Proposed Leasing Notice and refrain from issuing commercial leases unless the agency can demonstrate that deep-sea mining can proceed without causing lasting environmental, cultural or socioeconomic harm. The federal government announced a Proposed Leasing Notice on July 16, 2026, for a potential mineral lease sale in federal waters offshore American Samoa. The BOEM, an agency with the U.S. Department of the Interior, is proposing to hold the lease sale on November 19, 2026. Read Senator Inouye’s letter to BOEM here.

HONOLULU, HAWAI'I– The Hawaiʻi State Capitol will be closed on Monday, August 17, following the Hawaiʻi Joint Information Center’s announcement regarding the closure of state and county offices due to Hurricane Lala impacts. The Hawaiʻi State Senate and House of Representatives offices, Legislative Reference Bureau, including the Public Access Room and LRB Library, and other legislative services will be closed to the public. State legislators and their offices remain available to assist constituents by phone and email. Contact information for all legislators is available at capitol.hawaii.gov. “While the Capitol building will be closed, the work of the Legislature continues," said Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi. "Many of our Senators are in their districts, boots on the ground, seeing the impacts firsthand and hearing directly from residents. They are also receiving updates from state and county agencies and working with them to help address the needs of their communities. Our focus is being there for our residents and helping move recovery efforts forward." “House members and legislators have remained actively engaged throughout the weekend, working closely with state and county officials and community organizations to help safely expedite resources to impacted areas, while also meeting with constituents and responding to emergency calls. It has been a busy weekend, and while our in-person offices will be closed, we want to assure the public that we remain accessible and available to assist you and your ʻohana by phone and email,” said Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura. Members of the public are encouraged to monitor official weather updates, stay prepared, and sign up for emergency alerts. The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) provides guidance on preparing for severe weather and disasters at ready.hawaii.gov. Under the state Department of Defense, HIEMA also offers links for residents to sign up for alerts from their respective county emergency management agencies at dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/get-ready/.

About the Hawaiʻi Senate Majority Caucus ABOUT THE SENATE There are 25 members of the Hawaiʻi State Senate. Senators are elected to serve staggered four-year terms and are not subject to term limits. The presiding officer of the Senate is the Senate President. Other officers of the Senate include the Vice President, Majority Leader, Majority Caucus Leader, Majority Floor Leader/Whip, Majority Whip, and Assistant Majority Whip. The officers of the Senate are elected by a majority vote of the Senate members. The Hawaiʻi Senate Majority consists of 22 Democrats for the Thirty-Third Legislature, which convened on January 21, 2026 and adjourned Sine Die on May 8th, 2026.

The official website of the Hawaiʻi Senate Majority Caucus. 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION WATCH HEARINGS UPCOMING HEARINGS FIND YOUR SENATOR OUR LEADERSHIP RONALD D. KOUCHI President of the Senate LORRAINE INOUYE Vice President DRU MAMO KANUHA Majority Leader GLENN WAKAI Majority Floor Leader LYNN DECOITE Assistant Majority Floor Leader TROY N. HASHIMOTO Assistant Majority Whip JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE Assistant Majority Whip CHRIS LEE Assistant Majority Whip HERBERT "TIM" RICHARDS, III Assistant Majority Whip LES IHARA, JR. Majority Policy Leader STAY CONNECTED: Load More

OUR CAUCUS Danielle M.M. Bass Senate District 18 Mililani Town, Waipi‘o Gentry, Crestview, Waikele, portion of Waipahu, Village Park, Royal Kunia Stanley Chang Senate District 9 Hawai‘i Kai, Kuli‘ou‘ou, Niu, ‘Āina Haina, Wai‘alae-Kāhala, Diamond Head, Kaimukī, Kapahulu Lynn DeCoite Assistant Majority Floor Leader Senate District 7 Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Kaho‘olawe and Molokini Donovan M. Dela Cruz Senate District 17 Portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village Brandon J.C. Elefante Senate District 16 ‘Aiea, ‘Aiea Heights, Hālawa, Pearlridge, Newtown, Royal Summit, Waimalu, Waiau, Momilani, Pacific Palisades, and Pearl City Mānoa, Makiki/Punchbowl, Tantalus and Papakōlea Carol Fukunaga Senate District 11 Mike Gabbard Senate District 21 Kapolei, Makakilo, Kalaeloa, portions of Fernandez Village, and ‘Ewa Troy N. Hashimoto Assistant Majority Whip Senate District 5 Wailuku, Kahului, Waihe‘e, Waikapu Mauka, Wai‘ehu Les Ihara, Jr. Majority Policy Leader Senate District 10 Pālolo, St. Louis Heights, Maunalani Heights, Ala Wai mauka, portions of Kaimukī, Kapahulu, Mō‘ili‘ili, McCully Lorraine R. Inouye Vice President Senate District 1 Hilo, Pauka‘a, Papaikou, Pepe‘ekeo Dru Mamo Kanuha Majority Leader Senate District 3 Kona, Ka‘ū, Volcano Jarrett Keohokalole Assistant Majority Whip Senate District 24 Kāne‘ohe, Kailua Donna Mercado Kim Senate District 14 Kapālama, ‘Ālewa, Kalihi, Kalihi Valley, Ft. Shafter, Moanalua Gardens & Valley, Red Hill Ronald D. Kouchi President Senate District 8 Kaua'i, Ni'ihau Rachele Lamosao Senate District 19 Pearl City, Waipahu, West Loch Estates, Hono‘uli‘uli, Ho‘opili Chris Lee Assistant Majority Whip Senate District 25 Kailua, Waimānalo, Hawai‘i Kai Angus L.K. McKelvey Senate District 6 West Maui, Mā‘alaea, Waikapū, South Maui Sharon Y. Moriwaki Senate District 12 Waikīkī, Ala Moana, Kaka‘ako, McCully Karl Rhoads Senate District 13 Dowsett Highlands, Pu‘unui, Nu‘uanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, Liliha, Iwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III Assistant Majority Whip Senate District 4 North Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, North Kona Joy A. San Buenaventura Senate District 2 Puna Glenn Wakai Majority Floor Leader Senate District 15 Kalihi, Māpunapuna, Airport, Salt Lake, Āliamanu, Foster Village, Hickam, Pearl Harbor, and portions of ‘Aiea and Pearl City