#Michelle Kidani

Sen. Michelle N. Kidani released a statement on Wednesday regarding a media inquiry on her ability to serve.

On the leeward side of Kaua’i, Ke Kula Niʻihau O Kekaha — a pre-K-12 charter school — is celebrating its 25th anniversary and a major milestone in preserving ʻŌlelo Niʻihau, the Niʻihau dialect. The school announced it has authored and published more than 400 books in the language, with a selection now on display at the Līhuʻe Public Library.

Hawai‘i families are being encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits through the Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE), as updates to the state’s school meal program go into effect for the 2025-26 school year.

Starting in the 2025-26 school year, the Hawai‘i State Department of Education will implement changes to school meal pricing, including expanded access to free meals for more students. Under Act 139, students who qualify for reduced-price meals will now receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day. This means no cost for […]

Beginning next school year, more Hawaiʻi students will receive free meals under a new law aimed at addressing hunger in classrooms and supporting working families.

SB 1300 appropriates critical funding to expand access to free school meals and provide support for families classified as ALICE – Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed – working families who may not qualify for existing assistance programs but still struggle to meet their children’s basic needs. 

Senate Bill 529 SD1 relating to education seeks to appropriate funds to expand the Hoʻākea Program, an educational initiative that integrates Hawaiian cultural practices with academic subjects to engage students and promote environmental stewardship.

The Hawaiʻi Senate Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs has recommended passage of Senate Bill 222, which would appropriate an as yet undetermined amount of state funding for an illegal fireworks task force.

Members of the bipartisan Hawaiʻi Women’s Legislative Caucus led a panel discussion Wednesday in collaboration with the YWCA of Oʻahu to present their 2025 legislative package.

Maui’s affordable housing crisis is spurring some creative ways to increase the island’s housing inventory, including a bill to encourage mixed-use developments introduced by Sen. Angus McKelvey (West and South Maui, Mā‘alaea and Waikapū) and a half-dozen other senators.

Gov. Josh Green followed through on his pledge to sign Senate Bill 2919, clarifying the counties’ authority to regulate short-term rentals. Mayor Richard Bissen has already moved ahead with introducing a bill to phase-out thousands of short-term rentals to open up long-term housing for residents.

Hawaiʻi families in need will benefit from the bipartisan Hawaiʻi Women’s Legislative Caucus’ 25th Annual Easter Basket Drive at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol.

The bipartisan Hawaiʻi Women’s Legislative Caucus led a panel discussion in collaboration with the YWCA of Oʻahu to present their 2024 legislative package. The document represents the group’s efforts to improve the lives of Hawaiʻi’s women, children and families.

Governor Josh Green, M.D. today signed into law, two pieces of firearms-related legislation. The bills, SB1230 and HB1239, were signed in observance of National Gun Violence Awareness Day to preserve the safety of Hawai‘i residents, visitors and keiki.

Legendary Hawaiʻi musician and entertainer, Danny Kaleikini has passed. He was 85.

Maui senators secured several key assignments. Senator Lynn DeCoite was named Majority Assistant Floor Leader, and Chair of the Energy, Economic Development and Tourism committee; Senator Gil Keith-Agaran was named Majority Assistant Whip, and Vice-Chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee; and Senator Angus McKelvey secured the chairmanship of the Government Operations Committee. 

The Senate Women’s Legislative Caucus, co-chaired by Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani and Senator Rosalyn H. Baker of Maui, issued a statement, speaking out against the US Supreme Court’s draft opinion, saying that they are “appalled and deeply angered,” by it.  

The 2022 legislative package of the bipartisan Hawaiʻi Women’s Legislative Caucus includes eight bills with measures that cover gender equity, health care and public safety.

House and Senate leaders of the bipartisan Hawaiʻi Women’s Legislative Caucus pushed for installation of diaper changing stations after learning that families attending Children and Youth Day had to change their children’s diapers on the bathroom floor. In 2019, the WLC also spearheaded the creation of a lactation room on the second floor of the State Capitol.

Following the retirement of former Senator Leader J. Kalani English on May 1, 2021, the Hawaiʻi State Senate today announced the appointment of Senator Dru Kanuha (District 3 – Kona and Kaʻū) as the new Senate Majority Leader.