HAWAII ISLAND – The Senate Ways and Means (WAM) Committee visited Hawaii Island from Wednesday, November 5 to Friday, November 7, 2025, to meet with various government agencies and community leaders to discuss and receive updates on Hawaii’s film industry, renewable energy, economic and workforce development pathways, historic preservation programs, biosecurity efforts, and housing.  “During our visit to Hawaiʻi Island, the committee observed firsthand how local agencies and community partners are addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the state,” said Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz (District 17 - Portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village) , Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Whether it involved strengthening biosecurity measures, advancing environmental protection efforts, or expanding housing and workforce opportunities, the projects we visited demonstrated real progress and a strong commitment to collaboration. These on-the-ground perspectives are invaluable as we continue to shape policies and investments that support the long-term well-being of our communities.”     “Representing Hawaiʻi Island’s rural and agricultural communities, I know how important it is that the state continues investing in the places that sustain our islands,” said Senator Lorraine R. Inouye (District 1 – Hilo, Paukaʻa, Papaikou, Pepeʻekeo), Chair of the Senate Committee on Water and Land. “Our site visits showed how collaboration between agencies, local leaders, and community partners is advancing work in areas like biosecurity, environmental resilience, and infrastructure. These efforts reflect a strong commitment to protecting our resources and strengthening the long-term well-being of Hawaiʻi Island.”    “Communities across Hawaiʻi Island face unique challenges, and it is essential that state investments are both equitable and responsive,” said Senator Joy A. San Buenaventura (District 2 – Puna), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. “The visits provided valuable insight into the progress being made in housing, environmental protection, and workforce development, as well as where additional support is needed. These on-the-ground perspectives will help inform policies that better serve our families and communities.”  November 2025 Hawaii Island Post-Trip Report    WAM holds neighbor island site visits every two years to utilize information from community stakeholders and government officials to guide collective decision-making on legislation and budget appropriations to bolster regional/statewide planning and implementation efforts.

LĪHUʻE, HAWAI‘I  – A joint House-Senate Certificate was presented to the County of Kaua'i recipient of the inaugural Ka Liko Lawelawe Award, which recognizes an emerging professional from each county who exemplified exceptional promise and professionalism during their public sector internship. “This program creates an inspiring opportunity to see students from the Kauaʻi community step forward with dedication and professionalism,” said Senator Ronald D. Kouchi  (Senate District 8 – Kaua'i, Ni'ihau), Senate President. “Juliet represents the talent and heart found throughout the island, and her commitment to public service strengthens the essential work our departments perform every day. We look forward to seeing how Hele Imua uplifts the best and brightest in Kaua‘i and our state.” The certificate was presented b y Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi and Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz (Senate District 17 –  Portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, to Juliet Madrid. Awarding of the House-Senate Certificate   (L:R DLIR Director Jade T. Butay, Senator Ronald D. Kouchi, Juliet Madrid, Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, DOH Director Kenneth Fink, DOH Deputy Director Kathleen Ho, Dr. Janet Berreman) “I’m honored to receive this recognition and extremely grateful for the mentors who guided me throughout my internship,” said Juliet Madrid . “Serving my community through state government has been a meaningful experience, and I’m excited to continue building my career here on Kaua‘i, helping support the work that keeps our island healthy and thriving.” Under the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Hele Imua internship program, Juliet Madrid successfully completed an internship with the Disability Compensation Division in the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations under the supervision of Aric Fujii and is currently employed as an Office Assistant III at the Kaua‘i District Health Office in the Department of Health under the supervision of Jackie Teves. “We are incredibly proud of Juliet’s growth and the professionalism she brings to the Kaua‘i District Health Office,” said Dr. Janet Berreman , M.D., the Kauaʻi District Health Officer, Director of the Department of Health. “Developing homegrown talent is essential to strengthening public health across our islands, and her journey reflects the impact that high-quality mentorship and hands-on experience can have. We look forward to her continued service to the people of Kaua‘i.” “Juliet’s journey through the Hele Imua internship program is a powerful example of how investing in local talent strengthens our communities and our government,” said Jade T. Butay , Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. “Her dedication and growth reflect the very mission of Hele Imua—to empower emerging professionals with the tools and mentorship they need to thrive in public service.” View additional photo and video linked here.

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi and House Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura today released the 2026 Legislative Session calendar, which will convene on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. ###

The official website of the Hawaiʻi Senate Majority Caucus. 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION WATCH HEARINGS UPCOMING HEARINGS FIND YOUR SENATOR OUR LEADERSHIP RONALD D. KOUCHI President of the Senate LORRAINE INOUYE Majority Whip MICHELLE N. KIDANI Vice President of the Senate HENRY J.C. AQUINO Assistant Majority Whip DRU MAMO KANUHA Majority Leader TROY N. HASHIMOTO Assistant Majority Whip GLENN WAKAI Majority Floor Leader JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE Assistant Majority Whip LYNN DECOITE Assistant Majority Floor Leader CHRIS LEE Assistant Majority Whip LES IHARA, JR. Majority Policy Leader HERBERT "TIM" RICHARDS, III Assistant Majority Whip STAY CONNECTED: Load More

OUR CAUCUS Assistant Majority Whip Henry J.C. Aquino Senate District 19 Pearl City, Waipahu, Wet Loch Estates, Hono‘uli‘uli, Ho‘opili 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 Carol Fukunaga Senate District 11 Mānoa, Makiki/Punchbowl, Tantalus and Papakōlea 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 Majority Whip 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 Michelle N. Kidani Vice President Senate District 18 Mililani Town, Waipi‘o Gentry, Crestview, Waikele, portion of Waipahu, Village Park, Royal Kunia 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 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

PRESS RELEASES HAWAIʻI STATE LEGISLATURE ANNOUNCES 2026 LEGISLATIVE TIMETABLE ROLLING OUT ACT 236 TO BOLSTER HAWAII'S BIOSECURITY NETWORK COMMITTEES ON JUDICIARY AND AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT HOSTS BRIEFING ON FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION IMPACT ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND LEGALITY OF FEDERAL ACTION MORE PRESS RELEASES NEWS ARTICLES READ MORE Hawaii lawmakers urged to act after federal clean energy cuts Original Article The Garden Island Andrew Gomes (Star Advertiser) Hawaii’s Legislature may want to consider offering new state tax-credit funding for renewable energy expansion to at least partially offset federal withdrawals. That was a suggestion made to a pair of state Senate committee chairs during a briefing last week about negative impacts on Hawaii climate change mitigation initiatives due to recent federal policy changes and funding pullbacks. Leah Laramee, coordinator of the Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, told Sens. Karl Rhoads and Mike Gabbard at the Nov. 3 briefing that it would be incredibly helpful if more local tax credits were made available for renewable energy and climate change impact mitigation projects in the face of federal cutbacks driven by the administration of President Donald Trump. Laramee told the senators that about $651 million in Hawaii renewable energy projects are at risk due to federal policy and funding changes. “It’s a significant investment that is threatened in the state,” she said. “The loss of these projects is going to have pretty significant impacts on our ability to produce affordable energy locally and impact our energy security.” In recent weeks, the administration of Gov. Josh Green has rolled out state emergency funding programs to help low-income households in Hawaii pay for rent, utilities and food to counteract federal program cuts due to the government shutdown. Most recently, the state Department of Transportation offered to pay federal air traffic and security workers to avoid curtailing flights at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu by 10%. Though the loss of federal financial support for renewable energy isn’t on par with shutdown-related emergency responses, Hawaii residents and businesses pay the highest electricity rates in the nation. The threat of rising sea levels on the local economy also makes climate change impact mitigation a high priority for state leaders. Some of the $651 million in threatened Hawaii renewable energy projects cannot be offset by state funding, such as a planned offshore wind farm where federal officials have ceased regulatory approval action. But state funding could counter canceled federal support for other things including electric vehicles, rooftop solar systems and “carbon smart” food production. Laramee told Rhoads and Gabbard, who respectively chair the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Agriculture and Environment, that one of the biggest federal grant losses for Hawaii was $249 million from a $3 billion nationwide U.S. Department of Agriculture program called Carbon Smart Commodities. The program supported climate-friendly agricultural projects including development of food forests, invasive species management and soil health improvement. “This is really about food security within the state, and that’s been rescinded,” Laramee said. Another move earlier this year rescinded a $62.5 million federal grant used to make low-cost loans for low- and moderate-income households to pay for rooftop solar systems. This Solar for All program was being operated by the Hawai‘i Green Infrastructure Authority, but was terminated in August by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Hawaii along with nearly two dozen other states filed lawsuits in October challenging EPA’s rescission of grant funding approved by Congress. Laramee said she was optimistic that the state will prevail, and encouraged the Legislature to keep up support for the state Office of the Attorney General, which is involved in numerous lawsuits over federal policy and funding changes. Laramee also suggested that loan repayment revenue received by the Green Infrastructure Authority be recycled to fund more loans instead of being deposited into the state’s general fund. The briefing held by Rhoads and Gabbard also covered ongoing efforts to invest in plans and projects that make Hawaii more resilient to rising sea level and temperatures — efforts that include pending litigation by the City and County of Honolulu against major oil companies that the Trump Administration has tried to upend. Retired Hawaii Supreme Court justice Michael Wilson urged state leaders to develop a climate protection plan for the islands. Such a plan, he told Rhoads and Gabbard, could start with guarding against the loss of Waikiki Beach, which Wilson said stands to be submerged in 40 or 50 years based on the present rate of global warming impacts and would sap $2 billion of annual visitor spending. After the briefing, Rhoads (D, Nuuanu-Downtown-Iwilei) said in a statement that the presentations by Laramee and Wilson were a sobering reminder that climate change isn’t a distant or abstract issue, and that it directly impacts the health, safety, and economic future of Hawaii residents. “Our responsibility as lawmakers is to take proactive measures to protect our communities and uphold the rights of future generations to a safe and sustainable environment,” Rhoads said. Gabbard (D, Kapolei-Makakilo-Kalaeloa) said in a statement that now is the time to “double down” on the commitment by Hawaii leaders to renewable energy, local food security and climate adaptation to safeguard our islands. “The loss of federal funding for clean energy projects threatens much needed years of progress toward a more sustainable future,” he said. The next session of the Legislature is scheduled to convene Jan. 21. November 19, 2025 Senators Mentioned: Senator Karl Rhoads Senator Mike Gabbard MORE ARTICLES