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. ###

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.

Honolulu Dept. of Parks and Recreation seeks to increase number of city parks Star-Advertiser Jamm Aquino April 23, 2025 Original Article Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation is going forth with efforts to increase the number of city parks with recreational dog privileges. Currently fewer than 15% of these public spaces allow leashed or unleashed dogs. DPR is proposing a comprehensive change to parks island-wide by allowing leashed animals in more city parks, but while also looking for community feedback. (photos)

Opportunities to export local goods increased through passage of Act 237 Maui Now August 12, 2025 Original Article The Senate Committee on Ways and Means received a comprehensive update on Tuesday from the Agribusiness Development Corporation on the development of Hawai‘i’s food and product innovation efforts to help scale up local farmers and entrepreneurs and increase economic resilience. The ADC is administratively attached to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Dane Wicker, Deputy Director of DBEDT, along with other members from ADC, DBEDT, University of Hawaiʻi Community Design Center, and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health gathered near the historic Kaua‘i Plantation Railway in Līhuʻe for a site visit and briefing on the strategic plan guiding the Food and Product Innovation Network pursuant to Act 237, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 2025. Discussions focused on regional coordination, infrastructure development, and the launch of a pilot on Kauaʻi that integrates processing equipment, workforce training, and business support services. “Continuing to invest in agricultural production is a clear step in the right direction,” said Sen. Glenn Wakai (D – 15, Kalihi, Māpunpuna, Airport, Salt Lake, Āliamanu, Foster Village, Hickam, Pearl Harbor, and portions of ʻAiea and Pearl City), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism. “A month ago, I secured a partnership with Amazon Air Cargo to take Hawaiʻi agricultural products to the mainland – cheaper and faster.” “The Senate recognizes that agriculture is not just about farming — it’s about food security, economic opportunity, and sustaining our way of life,” said Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi (D – 8, Kaua‘i, Niʻihau). “We’ve supported a wide range of agricultural initiatives championed by our farmers, local business owners, and community leaders, and it is encouraging to see necessary steps being taken to expand our export capacity and provide more locally grown food on the tables for our schools and hospitals. These are the kinds of forward-thinking efforts that can transform Hawai‘i’s agricultural economy and create lasting benefits for our islands.” The Hawai‘i FPIN initiative draws inspiration from New Zealand’s public-private innovation model and includes strategic investments across the islands. Recent legislative support includes the passage of Act 237 , Session Laws of Hawai‘i 2025, establishing FPIN, Act 250, Session Laws of Hawai‘i 2025, appropriating $350,000 for program coordination, and Act 230, Session Laws of Hawai‘i 2024, dedicating $2 million for a new agricultural processing facility in Kekaha. FPIN’s vision is to enable Hawaiʻi-based entrepreneurs to develop, scale and export products that strengthen our food system, reduce import reliance, and capitalize on Hawaiʻi’s global brand. The Kaua‘i facility is part of a larger ecosystem that includes complementary projects on Oʻahu and Maui, integrating food science, equipment access and training partnerships with UH and DOH. “The Food and Product Innovation Network is a meaningful investment in Hawaii’s future—one that bridges education to export pathways by equipping our schools, colleges, and entrepreneurs with the skills and infrastructure they need to bring local innovations to the global marketplace,” said Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz (D – 17, portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipiʻo Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village). “By strengthening the entire ecosystem—from classroom learning to commercial-scale production—we’re fostering regional economic development that benefits our communities statewide and elevates Hawai‘i-made products on the world stage.” “The FPIN is critical to building a resilient and self-sustaining economy for Hawai‘i,” said DBEDT Deputy Director Dane Wicker. “By investing in the infrastructure, facilities, equipment, and wraparound services our local businesses need, we are not only creating new small and medium-sized enterprises—we’re supporting existing companies, expanding our Hawai‘i Made program, and strengthening initiatives like farm-to-school and farm-to-state. This is about more than just economic growth; it’s about food security, community resilience, and reducing our dependence on imported food and emergency provisions during natural disasters.”