#Darius Kila
Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi honors Big Island Sen. Lorraine Inouye; recognizes Sen. Troy Hashimoto of Maui as ‘Chamber Champion’
State Sen. Lorraine Inouye, whose district includes Hilo, Paukaʻa, Papaikou and Pepeʻekeo, was honored June 26 with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi’s Impact Gala: Advocacy Awards and Highlights.
E-bike bill veto leaves road safety gap, House Transportation panel chair says
House Transportation Committee Chair Darius Kila says he’s deeply disappointed with Gov. Josh Green’s veto of House Bill 958, which would have encouraged safe riding of electric bicycles on Hawaiʻi roadways. “This bill was the result of extensive work by advocates and members of both the House and Senate, and we reached agreement on a […]
Organizers waive registration fee for Hawaiian Home Lands Sovereignty Conference, June 2-4
Gov. Josh Green, whose mother-in-law died before signing up for a Hawaiian homestead award, will give a keynote address at the upcoming Hawaiian Home Lands Sovereignty Conference in Honolulu, running June 2-4.
DHHL to lead ʻKūhiō Kākouʻ unity rally
The Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands will lead a public rally on Tuesday, March 25, to honor Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, recognize legislative efforts aimed at decreasing DHHL’s waitlist, and promote support for proposed legislation.
Bill to protect vehicle sellers from liability passes out of House Transportation Committee
A bill aimed at shielding vehicle owners from liability after they legally transfer ownership to a buyer passed out of the House Committee on Transportation with a recommendation for approval Thursday morning.
Helmet safety requirements advance in House Transportation Committee
The House Committee on Transportation recommended approval of two bills requiring the use of helmets — one for minors while using a skateboard and one, for anyone of any age, while using a moped.
House bill advances to speed up historic preservation reviews of development projects
By a 5-2 vote, the House Committee on Housing passed a bill Friday aimed at removing lengthy historic property reviews from delaying housing developments.
House committee recommends passage of Kamaʻāina Homes Program
The House Committee on Housing, vice chaired by Central Maui Rep. Tyson Miyake, recommended passage Wednesday of House Bill 739, which would establish a Kamaʻāina Homes Program.
State funding sought for control of invasive species in Maui County
A House bill introduced by Maui County and Oʻahu legislators is seeking $3 million each in the next two fiscal years for the state Department of Agriculture to prevent and control little fire ants and coconut rhinoceros beetles on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.
Native Hawaiian Caucus announces its priority bills for this year’s lawmaking session
Members of the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives Native Hawaiian Affairs Caucus presented their 2025 Legislative Package, with four priority bills aimed at representing and advocating for the needs of the Native Hawaiian community.
‘Return-to-Home program’ proposed for homeless people to return to their home states
A bill introduced by 13 representatives in the state House calls for establishing a permanent “Return-to-Home program” with an as yet undetermined amount of funding to return homeless people in Hawaiʻi to their home states.
Working group proposed to study squatting on private property
State lawmakers want a working group to study the problem of people unlawfully occupying private property without the owner’s consent.
Housing bills vie for state lawmakers’ attention
With a bill introduction deadline looming on Thursday, state lawmakers already have nearly 150 measures to consider as ways to address Hawaii’s dire housing shortage, a problem even more acute on Maui after the August 2023 wildfires destroyed thousands of homes.
Native Hawaiian legislators invited to the White House
Three Hawaiʻi state legislators and a member of the Honolulu City Council are in Washington D.C. today sharing their insights about matters facing Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders at the White House. Senators Dru Mamo Kanuha and Jarrett Keohokalole, Representative Darius K. Kila, and Honolulu City Council Vice Chair Esther Kiaʻāina have all been invited to the White House to attend the inaugural White House Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (NHPI) Convening.