#Angus McKelvey
Four lawmakers unopposed for re-election; Mayor’s office and a few Maui Council seats hotly contested
Two Maui County Council members are headed back to office without a fight, along with Central Maui Sen. Troy Hashimoto and Kahului Rep. Justin Woodson who’re also uncontested for re-election.
Lahaina school rebuild gets nearly $200M, wildfire study misses out on funding
Maui Health also got funding in the budget as the legislative session closed last week, but lawmakers think it won’t be enough for repairs to the storm-damaged Kula Hospital.
HIDOE opens 47-unit housing project on Maui to support Lahaina educators
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education marked the opening of its Lahaina educator workforce housing development, a $20 million project designed to support teacher retention and strengthen public education on Maui.
West Maui resort’s emergency erosion measures, blocked beach access stir public pushback
The Hyatt Regency Maui says it needs to shore up the beach after last month’s Kona storm swept away much of the sand, but community members say it will lead to more beach loss.
Senator McKelvey announces $250M for South and West Maui in Senate Draft of Supplemental State Budget
Senator Angus McKelvey (District 6, West Maui, Mā‘alaea, Waikapū, South Maui) announced that approximately $250 million in capital improvement project (CIP) funding has been secured in the Senate draft of the state budget bill, HB 1800 HD1 SD1. The funds will support critical infrastructure, recovery, and community investment projects across South and West Maui.
Senate committee advances bill to hold Big Oil responsible for climate damage
A state Senate committee pushed forward a bill Wednesday that would allow the state to sue major corporations for climate-related damages, a move that attempts to stabilize Hawaiʻi’s volatile insurance market.
33rd Hawaiʻi State Legislature opens with traditional ceremony, outlook for work ahead
The 33rd Hawaiʻi State Legislature convened Wednesday with calls for humility and urgent action as lawmakers face a tightened federal budget, a high-profile ethics investigation and the ongoing recovery from the Maui wildfires.
With ‘tougher session’ ahead, Maui Nui lawmakers strategize on seeking funding for fire recovery, housing
A lagging economy will mean a tighter budget and tougher choices for lawmakers as the Legislature opens today.
$8 million released for Lahaina Harbor wharf reconstruction
State officials have released $8 million in capital improvement program funds to reconstruct the outer marginal wharf at the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor. State Sen. Angus McKelvey announced the release Friday. McKelvey represents West Maui, Māʻalaea, Waikapū and South Maui. “I want to thank the governor for his expedient release of these funds,” McKelvey said. […]
Maui senators weigh in on leadership roles for 2026 session
Maui County’s three-member delegation to the Hawaiʻi State Senate says its assigned leadership and committee roles position them to advocate effectively for wildfire recovery and resources during what is expected to be a financially difficult legislative session.
Maui senators secure leadership and committee assignments ahead of 33rd Legislature
Maui Sens. Lynn DeCoite, Troy Hashimoto and Angus McKelvey have secured various leadership positions.
Final request: Kama asks Council to consider appointing Kauanoe Batangan as her successor
Seven-year Maui County Council Member Natalie “Tasha” Kama, who died Sunday night at Maui Memorial Medical Center, has asked fellow council members to appoint Kauanoe Batangan to serve out the remainder of her term. “In her final request to the Maui County Council, she humbly asked that Kauanoe Batangan, an experienced and distinguished public servant, […]
West Maui Rep. Cochran absent from 85% of House floor sessions, still collected nearly $23,000 in per diem
West Maui state Rep. Elle Cochran missed 51 of 60 House floor sessions — an 85% absence rate — during the 2025 legislative session while collecting $22,725 in per diem payments intended to cover off-island living expenses, according to House records. Her near-total absence from legislative proceedings in Honolulu, coupled with her acceptance of these taxpayer-funded […]
Grassroot Institute reviews legislative session, citing wins on permitting, tax hikes
State lawmakers passed legislation aimed at accelerating Maui’s wildfire recovery and approving a 60-day “shot clock” for counties to review building permits, a chronic cause of delaying construction projects in Hawaiʻi. Those were a couple of takeaways from a May 16 Grassroot Institute of Hawaii legislative wrap-up event titled “What went down at the Capitol […]
Bill for Maui College nursing program nears finish line at Legislature
State lawmakers have passed out of conference committee Senate Bill 119, which would appropriate funding to establish a bachelor of science in nursing degree program at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College. According to a conference committee report, the measure would appropriate $250,000 in fiscal 2026 and $350,000 in fiscal 2027 for the program aimed […]
McKelvey and Tokuda push back against Trump Administration federal job cuts
State Sen. Angus McKelvey and US Rep. Jill Tokuda are rebuking the administration of President Donald Trump for the loss of thousands of federal jobs as part of an effort to shrink government bureaucracy.
Bill to ban algorithmic price-setting in Hawaiʻi’s rental market moves ahead in Senate
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.
Marijuana legalization bill alive in Senate
Two Senate committees voted Thursday to recommend passage of a bill to legalize adult personal use of cannabis Hawaiʻi and establish taxes on its retail sale and medical use.
$3.2M released for axis deer fencing in South Maui to address flood risks, environmental concerns
State Sen. Angus L.K. McKelvey on Wednesday announced $3.2 million in Capital Improvement Project funds to design and construct axis deer fencing in South Maui.
Proposed UH Maui College four-year nursing program moves ahead in state Senate
A measure aimed at addressing a shortage of nurses on Maui by establishing a four-year nursing Bachelor of Science degree program at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College has passed second reading on the Senate floor. Now, it’s headed to the influential Ways and Means Committee for decision-making on funding.
