Bill to ban algorithmic price-setting in Hawaiʻi’s rental market moves ahead in Senate Maui Now Brian Perry February 19, 2025 Original Article A bill aimed at protecting Hawaiʻi renters from algorithmic price-setting has cleared the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, which has recommended passage on second reading and referral to the Judiciary and Ways and Means committees. Senate Bill 157 Senate Draft 1 would prohibit the use of algorithmic price-setting in Hawaiʻi’s rental market. It would require the Department of the Attorney General to develop and undertake a public education program regarding the prohibition, and it would establish fines and penalties. A YouTube video of the committee hearing can be seen here . According to a committee report , the bill’s purpose is to prevent artificially inflated rental prices by banning the use of algorithmic price-setting, which has been used in local housing markets to share private data, including current prices, available square footage, vacancy levels and the number of applicants for a particular unit. The committee found that third-party price setters use that data to recommend rent and occupancy levels and advise landlords to hold some units off the market to raise the price of a unit, creating artificial scarcity and displacing island renters. “Because Hawaiʻi already has the highest median rent in the nation, this measure will help ensure units are filled via competitive pricing, rather than through cooperation to set prices,” the committee report says. In public testimony on the bill, Maui Chamber of Commerce President Pamela Tumpap said that while the chamber agrees that Maui rents were inflated by post-wildfire rental support practices of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the bill might be “challenging to enforce effectively.” “We would encourage the consideration of additional proposals and innovative ideas to address the broader issue of escalating rental prices,” she said. “We share this concern and are increasingly witnessing residents being forced to sleep in their cars due to the lack of affordable rental options,” Tumpap said. Jordan Hocker, education and outreach coordinator for the Maui Housing Hui, a grass-roots organization formed after the 2023 Maui wildfires, said that rents in Maui County have gone up 44% in the last two years and were climbing even before the wildfires disaster. “The rate of houselessness in the state of Hawaiʻi has grown by 87%,” she said. “We acknowledge that renters, those making 70% area median income and below, are most at risk of becoming unhoused and face the greatest challenges under our housing crisis.” Hocker said a forward-thinking bill such as Senate Bill 157 is needed “to protect Hawai’i’s renters from the unrelenting condition of corporate greed and price-fixing to the detriment of our community.” “Hawaiʻi’s renters cannot afford any additional compounding factors,” she said. Michael EKM Olderr also supported the bill, saying: “These algorithmic, AI-driven rent pricing schemes prey on vulnerable tenants and exploit those who are struggling to have enough money to support themselves. They are driven not out of necessity to cover damages, mortgages, or upkeep costs but as a lazy attempt to satisfy a landlord’s greed.” Lyndsey Garcia, director of advocacy for the Hawai‘i Association of REALTORS®, noted that in August 2024, the Department of Justice and eight states (not including Hawaiʻi) filed a lawsuit against software company RealPage . The department alleges an unlawful information sharing scheme that allowed property managers to increase apartment rental prices through the use of RealPage’s algorithmic pricing tools. The lawsuit, which is still ongoing, does not currently target the property managers who utilize the tool, according to Garcia.

Governor signs measures aimed at protecting agriculture in Hawaii Hawaii Tribune Herald John Burnett June 27, 2025 Original Article A pilot program to fight agriculture-related crimes in Hawaii will go into effect July 1 on the Big Island and Oahu. The program within the state Department of Law Enforcement is intended to strengthen laws relating to agriculture theft — including cattle rustling — plus trespassing and hunting without permission on private ag land. The new law — one of five ag measures signed into law today by Gov. Josh Green — is being called “Duke’s law.” It was Senate Bill 1249, which was introduced by Sen. Tim Richards, a Waimea Democrat and vice chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee. The law’s name is in honor of Cranston “Duke” Pia, a 39-year-old Makaha, Oahu, rancher who was — in Richards’ words — “executed in front of his mother” for protecting his cattle from hunting dogs on Feb. 17, 2024. Pia died of a single gunshot wound to the head. Chantston Pila Kekawa, then 17, of Maili, Oahu, was charged as an adult with second-degree murder, first-degree terroristic threatening, firearms offenses and first-degree theft. He pleaded not guilty and has a trial scheduled for Aug. 18 in Honolulu Circuit Court. “SB 1249 is about protecting our farmers and ranchers while honoring the memory of Duke Pia,” Richards said today. “Duke was a young rancher who was tragically shot and killed while confronting trespassers on his land. “This law strengthens enforcement, increases penalties, and gives us the tools to fight rural crime. It’s about justice, safety and preserving the future of agriculture in Hawaii.” The law funds, within DLE, a full-time assistant chief position; two full-time investigator positions, one on the Big Island, the other on Oahu; and six full-time agricultural patrol officers, three for the Big Island and three for Oahu. The new law doesn’t contain the stand-your-ground component that would allow a farmer or rancher, under certain circumstances, to exercise deadly force without retreating that was in another bill Richards introduced. That bill, HB 1248, the original Duke Pia bill, died without a hearing from the Senate Judiciary Committee. The new law appropriates $949,856 for each of the next two fiscal years to fund the pilot program. Other agriculture and food-related bills signed into law today by Green include: — HB 534, which prohibits the sale of any raw processed ahi tuna by retail establishments without a label that states the country where the ahi was landed. The bill claims that the majority of raw processed ahi sold in Hawaii retail establishments as poke is “foreign-sourced, previously frozen, gas treated and imported in pre-cut cubes” and generally cheaper for retailers. It also states that local consumers of poke are “subjected to misleading advertisements and in-store terminology such as ‘prepared fresh,’ ‘freshly made’ and ‘locally made,’ while the ahi used to prepare the poke is foreign-sourced, previously frozen, gas treated and imported in pre-cut cubes.” “Due to a loophole in federal labeling laws, retailers are not required to disclose the origin of these products, leading many consumers to falsely assume they are purchasing fresh, locally caught tuna,” wrote Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa, a Kona Democrat, the majority caucus leader and former Agriculture and Food Systems chairwoman, in a committee report. “By ensuring transparency in seafood labeling, this measure empowers consumers to make informed choices, supports Hawaii’s fishing industry, and protects the integrity of the state’s premium seafood market.” The law, which goes into effect July 1, 2026, was introduced by Rep. Tyson Miyake, a Maui Democrat and majority whip, with Kahaloa and fellow Big Island Reps. Nicole Lowen and David Tarnas signing on as co-sponsors. According to Eric Kingma, executive director of the Hawaii Longline Association, the local market for fresh ahi poke sold at retail largely has been replaced by foreign-caught, gas-treated tuna imported from Vietnam, the Philippines, China, Indonesia and other countries. He added the new law “should help Hawaii’s commercial tuna fishermen statewide.” “This bill will hopefully drive consumer demand for more fresh Hawaii-landed ahi poke at retail because they will see that the previously frozen, gas-treated tuna is not from Hawaii,” Kingma said. — HB 774, which which goes into effect July 1, relates to value-added products and establishes a food and product innovation network within the Agribusiness Development Corporation. It also appropriates $385,289 for each of the next two fiscal years for two full-time positions, plus operating expenses. The development of this network is intended to facilitate the responsible use of labels such as “Hawaii made,” “Made in Hawaii,” “Produced in Hawaii” and “Processed in Hawaii,” and aid businesses in promoting their products locally and internationally. Kahaloa, who introduced the legislation, called it “transformative for Hawaii’s farmers and food entrepreneurs — empowering them to innovate, grow and proudly share their unique products with the world.” Green said the network will provide “access to facilities, equipment, certification resources — things that make a difference.” “Honestly, I believe people are more than ready to buy agricultural products from the state of Hawaii,” Green said. — HB 496 prohibits certain words and images on packaging of mamaki tea suggesting the tea is a Hawaii agricultural product unless 100% of the tea or dried leaves were cultivated, harvested and dried in Hawaii. The law, which goes into effect July 1, also appropriates $65,000 for each of the next two fiscal years for a full-time measurement standards inspector. The bill was introduced by Kahaloa, with fellow Big Island Reps. Lowen, Jeanne Kapela and Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy among the co-signers. The measure was formerly on Green’s intent to veto list. — and HB 427 renames the state Department of Agriculture the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, and the Board of Agriculture the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The legislation, introduced by Kahaloa, also transfers the Hawaii Invasive Species Council from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the newly named department. In addition, the measure establishes a position of deputy chair for biosecurity to oversee all biosecurity initiatives within the department. The department, with the governor’s approval, may declare a biosecurity emergency in response to an outbreak of a pest or resistant organism that poses an economic or environmental threat. According to the governor’s office, the state budget allocates the highest level of funding ever for biosecurity — $26.6 million appropriated over the next two fiscal years to support positions and related expenses. “With the increasing frequency of natural disasters and growing biosecurity threats, safeguarding our resources and environment is a top priority for my administration,” said Green. “Prevention and forethought will fortify our state, and by signing HB 427, we are keeping top of mind the ways in which we can stay in the driver’s seat — actively leading the effort to protect our agriculture and our islands.”

Hawaii's growing pest crisis, is a stronger plan needed? KHON2 Bryce Moore February 8, 2025 Original Article PALOLO VALLEY, Hawaii (KHON2) — Coqui frogs, coconut rhinoceros beetles and little fire ants are just some of the invasive species that the Hawaii Department of Agriculture has their hands full with in 2025. Some even say a biosecurity chief position is needed. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture said working with the community to combat invasive species will be critical in 2025 since $10 million was approved for 2025. “[Ten million dollars] is more money than the Department of Agriculture has ever had dedicated to biosecurity efforts,” said HDOA chair Sharon Hurd. “We’re going to say, ‘We have a statewide plan for public property, but for the private properties in the communities, maybe you guys can help us with this funding and decide what you’re going to do for coconut rhinoceros beetles.” Coconut rhinoceros beetles are widespread on Oahu and has also been found on Kauai, Maui and Hawaii Island. Invasive Species Committees on each county respond to reports, but some legislators hope to cut through red tape by establishing a chief of biosecurity. “So that it becomes a priority so that someone actually owns the issue and can follow through,” said Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Donovan Dela Cruz. “We need a much more tight strategic plan that we know can get implemented.” The manager of the Oahu Invasive Species Committee has some concerns about shifting roles, however. His crew just sprayed for coqui frogs on Feb. 7 in Palolo Valley. “They’re proposing to move it from the DLNR right now to the Department of Agriculture,” Nate Dube said. “So when anything gets past the ports of entry and starts to establish, that’s where Oahu Invasive Species Committee is able to come in and work with residents, work in their backyards.” Field specialists said their on-the-ground work would not be possible without the public and they urged folks to send in reports. “If you see something, say something. So it’s always good to call the pest hotline or contact either. HDOA, OISC whoever is involved, you know, just getting it to the right parties and being able to, you know, report a pest. If you see one,” said HDOA Acting Land Vertebrae Specialist Jessica Miura. Dela Cruz said it is time that there is a position that can be held to account for the continuing spread of invasive species since there are so many city, state and community agencies. “I mean, it’s gotten to the point where we have little fire and we have coconut rhinoceros beetle, we have coqui frog, and the list is continuing to grow,” Dela Cruz said. “We are hoping for the day that farmers and ranchers can wake up and they can say, ‘Okay, what do I farm today,’ rather than, ‘What invasive species do I have to treat for today?'” Hurd said. The bill to create a biosecurity chief passed the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee on Feb. 6.

Hawaiʻi senators point to funding and enforcement to combat illegal fireworks Hawaiʻi Public Radio Catherine Cruz January 3, 2025 Original Article Gov. Josh Green's office said it has helped to arrange a medevac flight to send six burn victims from the New Year’s fireworks blast in Āliamanu to the continental U.S. for further medical treatment. Hawaiʻi's only burn unit at Straub Benioff Medical Center cannot handle all of the casualties from the fatal fireworks accident. The Honolulu Department of the Medical Examiner on Friday identified two women killed as Nelie Ibarra, 58, and Jennifer Van, 23. The identity of the third woman has not yet been confirmed. At a news conference on New Year's Day, Green emphasized the need to stop firework shows on neighborhood streets and proposed holding safe firework displays in the community. "Love your family. Avoid this. Let us put on firework displays in the community. Let us spend the monies to have something special for our citizens, which is what we've been proposing," he said at the news conference. "I know that this is a deep and important cultural tradition to many people to have some celebration with minor fireworks on New Year's and Fourth of July, but it's taking the lives of young people." Sen. Glenn Wakai, who represents Āliamanu and sits on the Public Safety Committee, said he thinks Hawaiʻi does not need more laws around illegal fireworks. Instead, he said the state needs better enforcement. "I'm not a big fan of increasing penalties or making more laws. I'm a big fan of funding DLE (Department of Law Enforcement) properly and giving them the tools and resources to go after all the bad actors in our community," Wakai said. Wakai said that he doesnʻt want to ban all fireworks. However, he added that non-permitted, non-professional fireworks need to end. "I just say we need to put the right personnel and fund DLE properly, let them do their job. They've shown us that they can do a good job by taking, what, 200,000 pounds of fireworks off the street. They just need more personnel to be able to investigate as well as prosecute those scoundrels," Wakai said. Law enforcement responding to the scene on Keaka Drive. (Jan. 1, 2025)Courtesy Angelina Bagaforo Sen. Karl Rhoads, the chair of the Judiciary Committee, said that it might be more helpful to raise the penalty to a Class B felony for the importation of illegal fireworks. "There's an awful lot of people who want to buy illegal fireworks and as a result that makes it very difficult. I think there are things that we could do. There's been a number of bills introduced in the last few years... this is a whole new level of tragedy in terms of the consequences. But it's something that many of our constituents have been complaining to us about for years," Rhoads said. However, he said there have been various roadblocks to dealing with illegal fireworks. "You need resources to fight. You need personnel and you need money. I have to think that this tragedy will encourage people at all levels of government to take the issue more seriously," Rhoads said. Rhoads shared that a 2019 law pinned liability on homeowners who allow someone to use their property for illegal fireworks. Act 248 also allows photographs and videos of fireworks to be submitted as evidence in court.

Bill to require nonresident user fees at state parks and trails clears key Senate panel Maui Now Brian Perry February 20, 2025 Original Article The Senate Ways and Means Committee unanimously recommended passage Tuesday of a bill to set user fees only for nonresidents visiting state parks and trails. Senate Bill 439 would require the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules to impose user fees that solely apply to nonresidents visiting state parks and trails, as selected by the board. In written testimony submitted to the committee , Land Board Chair Dawn Chang said the department already has 10 parks statewide with parking and entry fees. Four parks have advanced reservations systems in place to manage public access and collect fees. The Maui state parks are Mākena State Park, ʻĪao Valley State Monument and Waiʻānapanapa State Park in Hāna. Parking and entrance fees at state parks are already levied only upon out-of-state visitors, she said. Hawaiʻi residents are free, and they do not require advance reservations to enter state parks. “State Parks has been evaluating the inventory of all park units and has established certain criteria to apply to determine the efficacy of charging for parking and entry – and if reservation-based access is warranted,” Chang said. State Parks has identified five additional park units to consider adding parking and entry fees and reservation-based access, but none are in Maui County. The five parks are: Kekaha Kai (Kona Coast) Kua Bay State Park, Wailoa River State Recreation Area – Rainbow Falls and Kealakekua Bay on Hawaiʻi Island; Wailua River on Kauaʻi; and Pu’u Ulaka’a State Wayside Park on Oʻahu. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, but reminded lawmakers that the legislation should make it clear that before state park visitor fees are deposited in the State Park Special Fund, OHA’s pro rata 20% must be deducted as part of the public lands trust. “Hawaiʻi’s position as a premiere visitor destination is due in large part to the access to our oceans and mountains that are generally available free of charge,” OHA said. “A visitor fee is therefore appropriate and fair to ensure that visitors who are able to enjoy our State Parks also contribute to the costs of maintenance, which in addition to facilities and utilities maintenance often includes invasive species control, erosion mitigation, and other costs related to ongoing environmental threats.” Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo, a grass-roots community organization formed to improve communities’ quality of life through care of Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural heritage, testified in support of the bill to help “offset some of the environmental and community well-being degradations caused by our historically overly extractive tourism industry by infusing the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources with much-needed funds dedicated to the protection, management and restoration of Hawaiʻi’s natural resources.” The organization noted that the Hawaiʻi state constitution requires the protection and enforcement of Native Hawaiian rights, including traditional and customary practices that are intrinsically dependent on threatened natural resources. “ Hawaiʻi’s biocultural resources are also a part of the public trust, and must be managed and protected for the benefit of current and future generations, Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo said. “It is no secret that the historical and existing models of tourism continue to negatively affect our home, causing overcrowding and strain on our water, food, and special places – making life much less enjoyable for residents, and at the ultimate expense of our fragile ecosystems with native plants and animals being the most vulnerable.” The organization pointed out that many other governments around the world are taking steps to “correct the underinvestment in their natural resources,” including Italy, Spain, New Zealand, Galapagos Islands and the Republic of Palau. “It is time that Hawaiʻi – widely-known as one of the most exploited tourist destinations in the world – follows suit, to best protect our fragile environment, which Native Hawaiians and kamaʻāina hope to continue stewarding for generations to come.” The Tax Foundation of Hawaii questioned whether the fee for out-of-state visitors might be challenged as an unconstitutional violation of the Privileges and Immunities Clause. It requires that “the citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states.” Although it has been held that a state may treat out-of-state residents differently in some situations, such as in granting licenses for recreational hunting, the court held in the 1978 case Baldwin v. Fish & Game Commission of Montana that the result may be different when the nonresident is not given access to any part of the state to which he or she may seek to travel. This is because the court has recognized that the Constitution protects the right of citizens of the United States to travel freely throughout the land, according to the Tax Foundation. Other, more recent federal court cases, have sustained the power of government to charge a user fee whose proceeds are dedicated to protect and preserve the natural attraction for which the user fee was charged, such as Hanauma Bay on Oʻahu. And the Hawaii Supreme Court, in State v. Medeiros, held that the following test would be applied to distinguish between a user fee and a tax: “whether the charge (1) applies to the direct beneficiary of a particular service, (2) is allocated directly to defraying the costs of providing the service, and (3) is reasonably proportionate to the benefit received.” “Applying this test, the proposed user fee looks more like a tax,” the Tax Foundation said. “Although the fee is collected in a special fund, it can be spent on any park or trail, not only the park or trail that the payor of the fee paid to enter or use. Indeed, the uses to which the money in the fund can be put are broad and varied, and are not limited to the care and upkeep of natural attractions visited by tourists.” Members of the Ways and Means Committee voting in favor of the bill were Chair Donovan Dela Cruz, Vice Chair Sharon Moriwaki and Central Sen. Troy Hashimoto. Other committee members voting “aye” were Sens. Henry Aquino, Brandon Elefante, Lorraine Inouye, Dru Mamo Kanuha, Michelle Kidani, Donna Mercado Kim, Chris Lee, Glenn Wakai and Kurt Fevella. Sen. Lynn DeCoite of Moloka‘i, East Maui, Upcountry and Lāna‘i was absent and excused.

Editorial: New opportunities for Hawaiian Islands’ farmers Star Advertiser July 22, 2025 Original Article The thrust of President Trump’s tariff policy is to make American goods more price-competitive, thereby creating the conditions for more domestic manufacture, rather than reliance on U.S. imports. Hawaii has not been a hub of American-made products in most categories, but there is one that could benefit from an environment of some higher prices. That would be agriculture. Hawaii has a year-round growing season, but export potential has been limited by federal regulation as well as competition. It is good to see Hawaii’s high-level state officials working to claim a piece of the “made in America” advantage the islands deserve. In March, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke met with Brooke Rollins, the U.S. agriculture secretary, to discuss some of the state’s agricultural industry concerns. This is an opportunity to capitalize on changing conditions — exactly the sort of initiative Hawaii should be pursuing, and that our congressional delegation should be spearheading to work within the system. On a separate yet related front, there is now an improved “shipping” service to and from the islands. One major development was the new Amazon delivery station that opened on Sand Island a year ago, aiding in quick fulfillment of merchandise orders from the online marketplace site. It has also enabled a fast track specifically for Hawaii-grown pineapples, still among the marquee products for visitors to the state and now being made more available to mainland markets. The key was a partnership announced in mid-July between Maui Gold and Amazon that launched a direct cargo route between Hawaii and California. State Sen. Glenn Wakai helped to put the partners together. He said the four cargo planes Amazon sends to Hawaii each day have space on the return flights to be filled by locally made or grown products. The hope should be that this new pipeline expands to include multiple lines of Hawaii-made products, Wakai added. But above all, agriculture should be a primary focus. Whether it’s pineapple or other fruits — or Hawaii’s famous coffee — now is the time to boost their cachet for a wider market. The lieutenant governor said in a Monday phone interview with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that discussions over these issues actually began under the Biden administration. The back-and-forth accelerated after Trump’s inauguration in January, Luke said, especially when hiring freezes delayed the work of agricultural inspectors at the airports. That issue has receded, but the USDA outreach then expanded to other regulatory concerns. For example, Hawaii is rightly making the case that some fruit-borne insects cannot survive in some colder climates, Luke said; the state is hoping that blanket bans on exports can be lifted in such cold zones. Fruits with softer skins, such as papayas, can harbor fruit flies, she said, but harder-shell produce such as pineapples and avocados are much more resistant and should be regulated differently. Irradiation should not be required across all produce categories, she said. Avocados, with their protective hard shell, can be discolored and essentially ruined through irradiation. Hawaii should want its high-quality avocado crop to be marketable at full advantage. Finally, Luke said, the USDA should help local farmers by selecting their crops to supply Hawaii food banks in its surplus purchase program. This makes sense, and would save federal funds as well: The agency currently ships in mainland produce for this purpose, she added. It’s still unclear when each of the individual barriers to exporting could be lifted — but persisting with the USDA discussions is crucial. Hawaii does have some exceptional products to market more broadly. Keeping this state top of mind among federal officials is mission critical.

Hawaiʻi Senate Ways and Means Committee details visit to Kauaʻi Kauai Now August 16, 2025 Original Article Members of the Hawai‘i Senate Ways and Means Committee — including Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau lawmaker Senate President Ronald Kouchi — spent 2 days this week on the Garden Isle for a whirlwind tour for discussions and meetings with officials with various government agencies and community leaders. Senators during their visit Aug. 12-13 heard from and were updated about activities and work surrounding several issues, including: Development of Hawai‘i’s latest food and product innovations. Health care systems. Education and workforce development pathways. Biosecurity efforts. Language access. Their trip also visited various sites, receiving the latest information about critical projects and initiatives happening on the island. “Our site visits to Kaua‘i provided the committee with a deeper understanding of the innovations taking place across [the] state to address some of Hawai‘i’s most pressing challenges,” Ways and Means Committee Chairman O’ahu state Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz in a release detailing the visit. “From tackling homelessness by creating a continuum of housing to advancing education, workforce readiness and economic opportunity, we’ve seen firsthand how local partnerships are turning ideas into impact.” Initiatives such as the Food and Product Innovation Network demonstrate how investments in education and entrepreneurship can strengthen Hawai‘i’s economy and support homegrown industries. Cultural preservation efforts at Ke Kula Ni‘ihau O Kekaha Learning Center underscore at the same time the importance of protecting the voices and values that make island communities unique. “These insights will be critical as we continue to shape policies and allocate resources that build a more resilient and equitable future for all of Hawai‘i,” said Dela Cruz. Kouchi said it’s always meaningful when Hawai‘i Senate comes to Kaua‘i to see the incredible work local communities, educators and organizations are doing every day to tackle statewide challenges. “From efforts to increase affordable housing and address homelessness, to supporting workforce development and preserving ʻŌlelo Ni‘ihau, these initiatives reflect the deep commitment of our people to building a stronger Hawai‘i,” the Senate president said. “I’m grateful to the Senate Ways and Means Committee for taking the time to engage directly with the people and projects that are making a real difference on the ground.” The Senate Ways and Means Committee conducts neighbor island site visits every 2 years. It uses information members receive from community stakeholders and government officials to guide collective decision-making for legislation and budget appropriations that bolster regional and statewide planning and implementation efforts. The committee’s Kaua‘i visit highlighted the important work and progress by various state and public organizations, allowing members to see the real-life impacts of the policy decisions they craft and deliver to the public. “As the state moves forward and prepares for the upcoming legislative session, the committee will continue to look at ways to support the crucial efforts of these organizations toward economic diversification, protection of the land and natural resources and education of our keiki and future workforce,” says the committee’s post-trip report.

Senate committee releases report detailing its September visit to Lānaʻi and Maui Maui Now September 19, 2025 Original Article The Senate Committee on Ways and Means finalized visits with government agencies and community leaders on Lānaʻi and Maui to receive significant updates on education, housing, agricultural innovations, healthcare, workforce development pathways and wildfire management efforts. September 2025 Lānaʻi & Maui Post-Trip Report “Our visits to Lānaʻi and Maui gave the committee a solid understanding of the innovative ways our departments are utilizing resources to preserve, protect, and strengthen our state through workforce development, education, wildfire management, and more, ” said Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz (D17– portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipiʻo Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. Dela Cruz said the local partnerships the committee saw in action are proving to be critical in developing clear pathways to sustainability. “Pūlama Lānaʻi is creating viable housing options for residents, while DLNR is working alongside our State Fire Marshal to respond to the continuing threat of wildfires. DBEDT is successfully connecting with underrepresented demographics to ensure every economic opportunity is being recognized. The work of these entities will continue to be essential to informing policies and the allocation of resources to build an equitable future for Hawaiʻi,” said Dela Cruz. Sen. Lynn DeCoite (D7 – Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lānaʻi, Kaho‘olawe and Molokini), who chairs the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism said investing in rural communities like those on Maui, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i, is critical. “These visits showcased how collaboration between government agencies, local leaders, and private partners is creating innovative solutions to long standing challenges—from housing and agriculture to wildfire resilience and workforce development,” said DeCoite. “The economic potential we’re seeing across these islands is rooted in community, culture, and resilience—values that continue to guide us as we work toward a more sustainable and inclusive Hawai‘i.” “Coming from Maui, I know firsthand how critical it is that state resources reach our communities effectively and equitably,” said Sen. Troy N. Hashimoto (D5 – Wailuku, Kahului, Waihe‘e, Waikapu Mauka, Wai‘ehu), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing. “These site visits to Lāna‘i and Maui highlighted the progress being made in key areas like housing, wildfire preparedness, and workforce development—while also showing where we still need to focus our efforts. It’s encouraging to see strong partnerships forming on the ground, and the insights we gained will help guide meaningful investments and ensure our policies are responsive to the real needs of our people.” WAM holds neighbor island site visits every two years to utilize information from community stakeholders and government officials to guide our collective decision-making on legislation and budget appropriations to bolster regional/statewide planning and implementation efforts.

Hawai'i Governor Josh Green M.D., State Senator Lynn DeCoite, State Representative ... The LA Rams Wyatt Miller May 7, 2025 Original Article WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Hawai'i Governor Josh Green M.D., State Senator Lynn DeCoite, State Representative Adrian Tam and Rams President Kevin Demoff spoke with local media on Wednesday about the Rams' Mauicamp Powered by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA), which will take place from Monday, June 16 to Thursday, June 19. After wildfires devastated parts of Maui in August of 2023, the Rams raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through the sale and auction of custom-made "Mālama Maui" shirts and the in-game 50/50 Raffle supporting American Red Cross relief efforts, among other fundraising endeavors. Those efforts, along with their previous relationship from hosting a preseason game in 2019, made both sides realize that "a partnership is in order," Green said. "We wanted to find a way to thank L.A. for one huge reason, which if I say nothing else today, it should be this: Mahalo," Green said. "Mahalo means thanks, and it's thanks from our heart." "Our state went through a very, very tragic and tough circumstance in 2023... And we're healing, we're growing, we're returning to a place where we can live again. But the Rams stepped up, and they ran their Mālama, which was a care campaign for us, and brought incredible resources to help us heal, reestablish the need to travel to Hawai'i, to Maui." Green said they reached out to the Rams to discuss having minicamp in Maui while staying at Fairmont Kea Lani, which will serve as "an official home of the Rams" – they accepted. On Tuesday, June 17 and Wednesday, June 18, the Rams will host on-field team activities, featuring players in workout gear at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku. After team activities on Tuesday, the Rams will host a girls flag football and boys football clinic for 400 local student-athletes, and then players and staff will join Habitat for Humanity to assist the rebuilding of four homes in Lahaina. On Wednesday, the Rams will host a PLAY 60 Field Day for local children ages 5-12 who participate in the County of Maui's Play and Learn Sessions (PALS) Summer program on Wednesday. "It is going to be a special four days for the organization and hopefully something that the rest of the NFL really looks at celebrating as we get to the end of the offseason," said Demoff. The Tuesday on-field football session will be invite-only through HTA, while Wednesday's session will be open and free to the public through ticket sales. This agreement is currently only in place for one year, but both the Rams and the state of Hawai'i are leaving the door open for a longer relationship that will encourage more Rams events in Hawai'i. Demoff mentioned 2028, when Los Angeles will host the Olympics, as a potential opportunity for that. "We're hopeful to be able to continue it and see how it goes and where we can go from there," Demoff said. "... Governor Green and I have been talking over the past few years, we would love to see a stadium get get built there and as soon as one did, I think we would love to get back there for preseason." The damage that both Los Angeles and Hawai'i have endured from wildfires over the past few years has only fortified the connection between the Rams and The Aloha State. "At that time, we didn't know how tied together we would be by devastating wildfires when we made this announcement, but I think that strengthened the bond between our islands and Los Angeles," Green said. "It's made this an even more important event." The last time they held a preseason game in Hawai'i, it sold out within 12 hours of the announcement and became the most attended event at Aloha Stadium, beating out a Bruno Mars performance, "which was a good one to pass," Demoff said with a smile. He added that this is "a truly symbiotic relationship that we hope grows over time." DeCoite and Tam also expressed their thanks for the Rams' generosity and excitement about the partnership. "I'm excited to welcome the Los Angeles Rams to Hawai'i so we can not only foster more economic stimulus and grow our economies, but to grow a fan base for the Los Angeles Rams in Hawai'i as well so that we can continue to have them come visit us when we build our new stadium," Tam said. Added DeCoite: "There's been no team that I know of today like the LA Rams that have stepped up, have truly pushed out Aloha." Although he grew up a Steelers fan in Pittsburgh, Green said he always liked the Rams' "electric" franchise, and has come to appreciate it even more in working with the team's leadership. Bringing the team to Hawai'i recognizes both their appreciation for the Rams' generosity and the youth of Hawai'i's growing fandom and athletic aspirations. "This is our opportunity to bond with the L.A. Rams," Green said. "This is our opportunity to say, you are fantastic, you're the people we trust, and we want to have a positive impact and a generational relationship."

Hawaii Leads Nation: Ends Extreme Sentencing & Adult Prison for Kids, Embraces Trauma-Informed Justice The Honolulu Herald Johanna Olivas June 30, 2025 Original Article "As a physician and public servant, I believe we have a moral obligation to protect the well-being of all children—especially those who have experienced trauma, abuse, or hardship," said Governor Josh Green, M.D. "These new laws reflect Hawaii’s deep commitment to treating kids with compassion and dignity, not punishment. By keeping children out of adult jails and prisons, ending mandatory minimum sentences for youth, and ensuring judges consider the full context of a child’s life, we are creating a justice system that sees children as they are: still growing, still healing, and still full of potential." Together, these reforms ban the incarceration of youth in adult jails and prisons, end mandatory minimum sentencing for children, and establish a minimum age of 12 for prosecution—placing Hawaii among a small group of states leading the nation in child-centered criminal justice policy. "These reforms recognize that all children deserve to have their human rights protected even when they make mistakes,” said Senator Mike Gabbard, who championed the legislation. “For our youngest na keiki, that means addressing behavioral issues with treatment and services outside of carceral settings. It also means that if incarceration becomes necessary for older youth, they are treated in an age-appropriate and trauma-informed manner. These laws will ensure our keiki receive that grace and the opportunity to heal from the trauma that often leads to their system involvement.” Highlights of the New Laws: SB 694: Prohibits the housing of children in adult jails, lock-ups, and prisons. This law addresses alarming data showing youth held with adults face dramatically higher risks of sexual abuse, physical assault, and suicide. SB 691: Establishes a minimum age of 12 for prosecuting or adjudicating children delinquent, with no exceptions. Hawaii becomes just the third state in the nation with this level of protection. SB 544: Ends mandatory minimum sentencing for youth and requires judges to consider a child’s full history—including Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)—before sentencing. Hawaii joins just five other states that have eliminated mandatory minimums for children prosecuted as adults. "We are grateful for the moral leadership of Governor Green and Senator Gabbard in making Hawaii the best state in the country when it comes to protecting the human rights of system-involved youth," said James Dold, Founder and CEO of Human Rights for Kids. “Hawaii is a shining example of how data, science, and compassion can come together to create policies that prioritize healing and opportunity over punishment and harm.” These sweeping reforms come at a critical time. Research shows that children exposed to incarceration, solitary confinement, and harsh sentencing are more likely to experience further trauma, have their brain development disrupted, and face increased risks of recidivism. "Arrest and incarceration are deeply traumatic, punitive, and expensive responses to childhood behavior," said Jolene Forman, Chief Program and Advocacy Officer of The Just Trust, a national funder of youth justice reform. "We applaud any state seeking alternative models of accountability for kids to reduce future harm for individuals, their families, and broader communities." About Human Rights for Kids Human Rights for Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of the human rights of children. We use an integrated, multi-faceted approach which consists of research & public education, coalition building & grassroots mobilization, and policy advocacy & strategic litigation to advance critical human rights on behalf of children in the United States and around the world. Human Rights for Kids is particularly grateful to our partner, The Just Trust, for supporting our state-level advocacy on behalf of children around the country. Johanna Olivas Human Rights for Kids jolivas@humanrightsforkids.org Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

Plan To Bail Out HECO's Credit Rating Would Cost Customers $48 A Year Civil Beat Stewart Yerton December 31, 2024 Original Article Hawaiian Electric Co. customers would have to pay $4 more per month under a proposal to create a settlement fund meant to bolster the power company’s battered credit rating in an era of catastrophic wildfires. The proposed $1 billion Hawaii Wildfire Recovery Fund, capitalized with the new fees, would be used to pay property damage claims related to future wildfires, according to a draft bill being circulated to Hawaiʻi lawmakers, who reconvene next month. The proposal would also limit HECOʻs liability from property claims due to wildfires, even those which the companyʻs equipment starts, such as the devastating Lahaina fire in 2023. Wall Street once viewed privately owned power companies like HECO as rock solid credit risks. But lawsuits from wildfires, such as the one that killed 102 people and destroyed much of Lahaina in 2023, changed the math. HECOʻs credit rating is now at junk-bond status, in part because it is on the hook to pay out billions to victims of the fire that was started by its equipment. The risk of claims from potential future fires is another factor. HECO’s proposal is far from a done deal. Lawmakers declined to give the utility a blank check to bail it out last session. And at least one key lawmaker briefed on this year’s measure has voiced concerns about raising bills for customers who already pay three times the national average for electricity. A fire sparked by a fallen Hawaiian Electric Co. power line killed 102 people and destroyed most of Lahaina in 2023. The risk of such catastrophic fires has driven up borrowing costs for not only HECO, but scores of electric companies in the U.S. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023) The trade publication Utility Dive reported in October that the credit ratings of nearly 100 utilities have been downgraded since 2020 due to wildfire risk. Another stated goal — which HECO poses as a public benefit — is to create an efficient alternative to expensive and time-consuming litigation. Jim Kelly, the company’s vice president for government relations and corporate communications, stressed the bill wouldn’t prevent people from pursuing claims in court instead of accessing the fund. “The fund has been the thing that they have told us was their highest priority to stabilize the company from the beginning,” said Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, who held hearings on HECO-related bills last session as chair of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. “Absolutely,” HECO’s Kelly said, when asked if the fund was HECO’s top priority. “It’s number one.” The Cost Of Wildfire Risk For HECO customers, the equation is simple: wildfire risk — including mitigation measures to reduce it — will invariably be baked into the cost of electricity. The question is how to keep those costs as low as possible. As HECO sees it, the first step is to rehabilitate its credit rating. After the Maui fires, corporate rating agencies tanked HECO’s credit rating, meaning the company must pay higher interest rates to borrow money. Such costs can be passed to Hawaii ratepayers, who already pay the nation’s highest electricity rates, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration . HECO is in continuing talks with the three main rating agencies — Fitch Ratings , Moody’s and S&P Global — Kelly said. While the agencies aren’t promising anything, they are providing guidance on policies Hawaii and HECO can adopt to shore up the company’s credit rating, Kelly said. “They’re more than willing to share their insight,” he said In fact, the key elements of HECO’s policy playbook for 2025 are outlined in a paper titled “Liability reform will be key to support credit quality of utilities in wildfire-prone states ,” which Moody’s published in November. The paper focuses on the problem that wildfire risks poses for utilities nationally, particularly in U.S. western states. Hawaii’s fund would be similar to a $21 billion fund established in California and a $1 billion fund proposed for Utah. Hawaii Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole says the challenge facing Hawaiian Electric Co. is simple: “Nobody will lend them any money because there’s too much risk.” (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024) But Moody’s recommends more than merely establishing a fund. It also calls for limiting the utilities’ liability. HECO’s proposed bill would do this by limiting HECO’s liability for damages. The third element of Moody’s risk reduction outline requires utilities to establish operational measures to prevent wildfires from happening in the first place. “When a state establishes definitive fire prevention and response guidelines or certification programs, it is strongly credit positive for regulated utilities because it ensures that their actions can be assessed transparently and reduces the risk of hindsight bias following a fire,” Moody’s says. HECO is seeking to establish this by regulation. It plans to submit a wildfire mitigation plan for review and approval by the Public Utilities Commission in January. The goal, Kelly said, is to enable HECO to borrow money for capital improvements at reasonable rates. The status quo is a recipe for higher costs, he said. “If we don’t get a better credit rating, that is going to impact people negatively,” Kelly said. Keohokalole put it more simply. “Nobody will lend them any money because there’s too much risk,” he said. ‘Just, Just, Just’ Adds Up Still, establishing the fund will cost HECO customers. HECO essentially wants to borrow the $1 billion and pay it back with new fees charged directly to customers, a process called securitization. Such securitized loans wouldn’t be burdened by HECO’s junk-bond credit rating; the debt gets paid back as long as people pay their electric bills, allowing HECO to borrow at lower interest rates. “It’s like having a gold-plated co-signer,” Kelly said. Kelly noted the public utilities commission would have to approve any new fee charged to customers. Kelly also noted that the bill calls for ratepayers to be paid back the fees they had paid, possibly through a bill offset, if HECO hadn’t needed to tap into the fund during its first 10 years. However, Kelly said it was not clear how that would work. Future property damage claims also could be paid quickly, according to a formula, without the need for lawsuits. Kelly noted that a third of the $4.04 billion proposed settlement for the Lahaina fires — more than $1 billion — would likely go to plaintiffs’ lawyers, many of them located outside of Hawaii. Hawaii Sen. Glenn Wakai, who chairs the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, said he supports a bill to help HECO bolster its credit rating in concept, but also says, “HECO better have a clear plan on how they’re going to reduce costs for customers.” (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024) Key lawmakers say they are willing to entertain the bill. Keohokalole helped kill a securitization bill during the last session. That was largely because the company had no clear plan on how it intended to spend the money. “Last year there were just black holes,” he said. “This time is way different.” The company’s proposed, $4.04 billion settlement is pending approval by the Hawaii Supreme Court, which could happen as soon as February. Keohokalole said he would be reluctant to support the bill if HECO can’t get the settlement finalized. But if the settlement is approved and it’s clear the new fund would be used only for future claims, Keohokalole said he would be comfortable supporting securitization. “If we’re at the 2-yard line, I might be willing to bail out HECO,” he said. Sen. Glenn Wakai, who chairs the Senate Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, also expressed conditional support for the bill, but would prefer a fund that could protect parties in addition to HECO. He also wants residential customers to get something in return. “If HECO’s going to charge $48 more a year, HECO better have a clear plan on how they’re going to reduce costs for customers as well,” he said. Wakai said he’s aware that HECO’s proposal breaks down to “just $4” a month per household. But he said such seemingly small price increases are what have created Hawaii’s notoriously high cost of living. “After a while, ‘just, just, just’ adds up to ‘big, big, big’ for ratepayers,” he said.

MAHALO SENATOR ELEFANTE – SENATE PUBLIC SAFETY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HOLDS SERIES OF HEARINGS ON ILLEGAL FIREWORKS BILLS myPearlCity.com PC Community February 6, 2025 Original Article HONOLULU – The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs (PSM), chaired by Senator Brandon Elefante (Senate District 16 – ‘Aiea, ‘Aiea Heights, Hālawa, Pearlridge, Newtown, Royal Summit, Waimalu, Waiau, Momilani, Pacific Palisades, and Pearl City), completed a series of significant hearings today addressing legislation aimed at combatting illegal fireworks in communities across Hawai‘i. Three separate hearings held at the Hawai‘i State Capitol went over several key bills that focus on strengthening enforcement measures and penalties related to illegal fireworks use. A priority for the Senate, these bills aim to enhance public safety and respond to the increasing concerns about the dangerous and disruptive use of fireworks. The following bills were heard today: SB 999 : this bill would ban the use and sale of consumer fireworks, set fines for breaking the law, and create a fund to support safety education programs using money from the fines and seized property; the committees who heard the bill (PSM/CPN) deferred it to Monday, February 10 for decision-making. SB 1226 : this bill aims to create a program to inspect shipping containers, require the Department of Law Enforcement to report on the program’s effectiveness, and provide money to support the program. The TCA/PSM committees passed the bill with amendments. SB 302 : this piece of legislation would limit the use of consumer fireworks to only approved cultural events with a permit, ban selling them without a permit, and add a fee for those permits. The TCA/PSM committees passed the bill with amendments. SB 1324 : this bill would increase penalties for fireworks-related injuries or deaths, create new criminal offenses for illegal fireworks actions, and set up a system to handle fireworks violations. The PSM/TCA committees passed the bill with amendments. SB 227 would create a new division to enforce laws against illegal fireworks. It was passed unamended. SB 476 would raise the fines for certain fireworks violations, starting on July 1, 2025. The bill was deferred. SB 222 : this bill provides more funding for the illegal fireworks task force for the next few years until June 30, 2030. It was passed unamended. Senator Elefante emphasized the critical nature of these discussions, noting that illegal fireworks not only pose safety hazards but also disturb residents, pets, and local wildlife. “Today’s hearings represent a major step forward in ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities,” said Senator Elefante. “By strengthening enforcement and increasing penalties, we are sending a clear message that the unlawful use of fireworks will not be tolerated.” The bills are part of ongoing efforts to address the rising concerns over fireworks-related incidents, including fires, injuries, and public disturbances, especially in light of the tragedies that happened in the state at the beginning of this year. Senate Committee acronyms, for reference: PSM: Public Safety and Military Affairs CPN: Commerce and Consumer Protection TCA: Transportation and Culture and the Arts ABOUT THE HAWAIʻI STATE SENATE MAJORITY The Hawaiʻi State Senate consists of 25 members who serve staggered four-year terms. The Senate Majority consists of 22 Democrats for the 33rd Legislature, which convened on January 15, 2025. For the latest news and updates, follow the Senate Majority on Facebook, Instagram, or visit https://www.hawaiisenatemajority.com .