2016 Hawaiʻi Legislative Session to Commence Jan. 20

The Hawaii Legislature. Courtesy file photo.

The Opening Day of the Twenty-Eighth Hawaiʻi Legislative session will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016 at 10 a.m. in the Senate Chambers as lawmakers begin the second year of the legislative biennium.

Leaders say the Legislature will hold a modest opening to the session with a business as usual approach.  Floor proceedings will not include entertainment, and family members, friends and guests will not be seated on the chamber floors.

“We will continue to adhere to the recent custom of not having any ceremonies or fanfare in this second year of the biennium as the Senate is poised to undertake the task of the people’s work,” said Senate President, Sen. Ronald D. Kouchi.

Following the floor session, legislators have the option to host guests in their individual offices.

The public is welcome to attend the opening floor sessions with chamber galleries set to open at 9:45 a.m.  Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Opening Day schedule in the Senate Chambers will be as follows:

• Moment of Contemplation by Pastor Matt Higa of New Hope, Kauai
• Singing of National Anthem and Hawai‘i Pono‘i by Nalani Brun
• Gavel in
• Roll call
• Senate President’s and Minority Leader’s Remarks
• Business
• Adjournment

Opening Day will be broadcast live by ‘Ōlelo on channel 53. Neighbor islands will also be able to view the broadcast either live or tape delayed through public access organizations. On Maui, the broadcast will be aired on Akakū, Maui Community Television.