#Scott Saiki

DTRIC has announced its intent to transition to a run-off insurance carrier in Hawai‘i; meaning that it will no longer issue new policies or renew existing ones. However, DTRIC will continue to administer all active policies, manage claims and meet its contractual and statutory obligations, over the next several years.

Scott Saiki has been appointed as Insurance Commissioner for the state of Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Insurance Division, effective July 16, 2025.

As the one year mark since the deadly Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires is upon us, state and county leaders reflect upon the loss, recovery and vision for the future.

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed House Bill 2526 HD2 SD1, which increases the statutory penalties for repeat offenders who drive without a license or while on a suspended license. Upon a third conviction within five years, the offense would become a Class C felony, carrying a maximum term of five years in prison.

A bill to legalize personal adult use of cannabis will not be heard in the House Finance Committee, said Chair Kyle Yamashita, who represents Upcountry Maui.

The Clean Elections Hawaii Coalition rallied at the State Capitol on Monday to call on House Speaker Scott Saiki and other House leaders to support legislation for publicly financed elections.

“By expanding Global Entry, integrating biometric screening, and pursuing pre-clearance status, we are making travel more efficient, convenient and secure for Japanese citizens visiting Hawai‘i,” said Gov. Green.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate unanimously approved SB2381 SD2, which would establish a comprehensive system of public financing for candidates seeking election to state and county public offices, beginning with the 2028 general election year. The bill asserts that publicly funding the campaigns of candidates for state and county offices would increase public confidence in the State’s candidates and elected officials.

Comprising 10 bills and two resolutions, the measures reflect the bipartisan efforts of six interim House working groups that collaborated with subject experts and various agencies and engaged in extensive discussions relating to the Lahaina wildfire.

Speaker Scott K. Saiki today announced that the Final Report of the House of Representatives Lahaina Wildfire Interim Working Groups has been published. The report is a culmination of efforts from six bipartisan working groups, formed on Sept. 6, 2023, to evaluate topics related to the Lahaina wildfire.

Speaker Scott K. Saiki established interim House working groups charged with evaluating specific topics related to the Lahaina wildfire and making recommendations for appropriate legislative action. Todayʻs meeting starts at 2 p.m., and is available via video conference.

The groups include Wildfire Prevention, Shelter, Schools, Jobs and Business, Environmental Remediation, and Food, Water, and Other Supplies. Each group was assigned to produce a preliminary report by Nov. 1, 2023 and deliver a final report by Dec. 15, 2023.

The House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 1 SD2 for third reading Friday, aimed at ensuring women in Hawai‘i have access to safe reproductive health care following the US Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson. With the bill passing third reading in both chambers, the measure now heads to Governor Josh Green’s desk for his signature.

House Speaker Scott K. Saiki (D-25, Ala Moana, Kaka‘ako, Downtown) said momentum was made on priority legislation that supports Hawaiʻi’s families and paves a path forward to a sustainable future.

The House of Representatives adopted rule changes in the Rules of the House of Representatives of the 32nd legislature, including the operating procedures for the House Committee on Standards of Conduct, and the House Administrative and Financial Manual.

Hawaiʻi House Democrats on Monday joined American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center in celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court’s decision on marriage equality.

For nearly three years, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Hawaiʻi State House and Senate to operate solemnly online, but Wednesday the public was back and the mood was festive.

Due to a “severe power outage” at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol, the building will be closed today, according to an announcement from the legislature. 

The House of Representatives is taking the several actions to address the recent bribery charges brought against two former Hawaiʻi lawmakers.

Council Chair Alice L. Lee announced today that eight proposals have been introduced as the 2022 Maui County Council Legislative Package, including legislation to establish a “green fee surcharge”—a visitor fee that would fund environmental-protection and conservation projects.