HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI – The Hawaiʻi State Senate Committee on Judiciary held an informational briefing today with the Honorable Mark E. Recktenwald, retired Chief Justice of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court, to discuss the rule of law, judicial independence, and the role of the courts in maintaining the constitutional balance of government. The briefing occurred in the same week as Constitution Day, held on September 17, that commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Chief Justice Recktenwald presented “Defending the Rule of Law” and discussed the importance of an independent judiciary and the principles that underpin the rule of law. Following his presentation, members of the committee engaged in a question-and-answer session with the retired Chief Justice. The briefing comes amid ongoing national discussion regarding executive authority, the separation of powers, and the role of the judicial branch. The discussion provided an opportunity for legislators to examine these issues and consider the importance of maintaining public confidence in the institutions responsible for upholding the law. “An independent judiciary is essential to our system of checks and balances and to ensure that the rule of law applies equally to everyone,” said Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary. “Today’s discussion was an important opportunity to step back from the immediate political moment and consider the principles that have allowed our democratic institutions to endure. We have a responsibility to understand, respect, and protect the role of an independent judiciary.” Chief Justice Recktenwald, who retired from the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court in 2025, is a member of the Alliance of Former Chief Justices, a project of the nonpartisan civic organization Keep Our Republic. The Alliance brings together retired chief justices from across the country to promote constitutional principles and protect individual rights and an impartial judiciary. “These are challenging times for our nation, especially as we near this fall’s elections. It is critical that people know they can trust in the courts to fairly and impartially resolve the disputes that may arise in the electoral process,” Recktenwald said. View the original Hearing Notice HERE Watch the video recording HERE View photos from the informational briefing HERE This informational briefing is part of a series of informational briefings on the rule of law in relation to actions of the Trump Administration and how its decisions are impacting Hawaiʻi. Information about other briefings can be accessed on the Senate Judiciary Committee webpage HERE. ### Click here for a PDF version of this news release.

WHO/WHAT: The Senate Committee on Judiciary (JDC) will convene an informational briefing to hear from the Honorable Mark E. Recktenwald, retired Chief Justice, Hawaiʻi Supreme Court, and a member of the Alliance of Former Chief Justices, on the rule of law and the role of an independent judiciary. WHEN/WHERE: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 10:00 a.m. Conference Room 229 & Videoconference Hawaiʻi State Capitol 415 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96813 PRESENTER: • The Honorable Mark E. Recktenwald (Retired), Chief Justice, Hawaiʻi Supreme Court PURPOSE: U.S. presidential executive orders and policies have challenged the powers of the judicial branch and tested the limits of the rule of law. The briefing will examine these issues and discuss the role of an independent judicial system in maintaining the rule of law. Following the presentation, committee members will have the opportunity to ask questions of the Retired Chief Justice. Questions will be limited to five minutes per member. As is customary for informational briefings, no public testimony will be accepted. Members of the public and the news media are encouraged to attend. The hearing notice, agenda, and additional meeting information, including the link to the live stream, are available here: HEARING NOTICE: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/hearingnotices/HEARING_JDC_09-15-26_INFO_.HTM This informational briefing is part of a series of informational briefings on the rule of law in relation to actions of the Trump Administration and how its decisions are impacting Hawaiʻi. Information about other briefings can be accessed on the Senate Judiciary Committee webpage HERE.

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.”

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

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OUR CAUCUS Lorraine R. Inouye Vice President Senate District 1 Hilo, Pauka‘a, Papaikou, Pepe‘ekeo Joy A. San Buenaventura Senate District 2 Puna Dru Mamo Kanuha Majority Leader Senate District 3 Kona, Ka‘ū, Volcano Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III Assistant Majority Whip Senate District 4 North Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, North Kona Troy N. Hashimoto Assistant Majority Whip Senate District 5 Wailuku, Kahului, Waihe‘e, Waikapu Mauka, Wai‘ehu Angus L.K. McKelvey Senate District 6 West Maui, Mā‘alaea, Waikapū, South Maui Lynn DeCoite Assistant Majority Floor Leader Senate District 7 Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Kaho‘olawe and Molokini Ronald D. Kouchi President Senate District 8 Kaua'i, Ni'ihau Stanley Chang Senate District 9 Hawai‘i Kai, Kuli‘ou‘ou, Niu, ‘Āina Haina, Wai‘alae-Kāhala, Diamond Head, Kaimukī, Kapahulu 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 Mānoa, Makiki/Punchbowl, Tantalus and Papakōlea Carol Fukunaga Senate District 11 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 Donna Mercado Kim Senate District 14 Kapālama, ‘Ālewa, Kalihi, Kalihi Valley, Ft. Shafter, Moanalua Gardens & Valley, Red Hill 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 Brandon J.C. Elefante Senate District 16 ‘Aiea, ‘Aiea Heights, Hālawa, Pearlridge, Newtown, Royal Summit, Waimalu, Waiau, Momilani, Pacific Palisades, and Pearl City Donovan M. Dela Cruz Senate District 17 Portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village Danielle M.M. Bass Senate District 18 Mililani Town, Waipi‘o Gentry, Crestview, Waikele, portion of Waipahu, Village Park, Royal Kunia Appointed 08/09/2026 Rachele Lamosao Senate District 19 Pearl City, Waipahu, West Loch Estates, Hono‘uli‘uli, Ho‘opili Mike Gabbard Senate District 21 Kapolei, Makakilo, Kalaeloa, portions of Fernandez Village, and ‘Ewa Jarrett Keohokalole Assistant Majority Whip Senate District 24 Kāne‘ohe, Kailua Chris Lee Assistant Majority Whip Senate District 25 Kailua, Waimānalo, Hawai‘i Kai