#Hawaiʻi Legislature

Members of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature’s Keiki Caucus and community advocates on Wednesday, unveiled the 2026 Keiki Caucus Bill Package, comprised of five priority bills that address the health and welfare of Hawaiʻi’s youth.

Pacific Resource Partnership announced the release of the 2026 edition of the Hawaiʻi Directory of Public Officials, a free comprehensive guide to help residents connect with their elected leaders and stay engaged in the legislative process. 

Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi is launching Girls in Policy, a new, innovative program designed to strengthen girls’ civic engagement, leadership and advocacy skills during the 2026 Hawaiʻi Legislative Session.

The Hawai’i Senate Majority today announced its 2026 legislative priorities in advance of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature’s Opening Day on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026.

Governor Josh Green today announced the appointment of Daisy Hartsfield to serve as the State Representative for House District 36, filling the vacancy created by the appointment of former Rep. Rachele Lamosao to the Senate seat for District 19.

Hawaiʻi’s new first-in-the-nation climate impact fee to be paid by tourists took effect Jan. 1, but for now it will not include cruise ship passengers due to an 11th hour ruling by a federal appeals court.

The Hawaiʻi Legislature’s House Committee on Finance is scheduled to begin its first series of informational briefings for 2026 starting Monday to discuss state department budget proposals. During the briefings, various state department representatives will provide updates and present requests regarding their upcoming budgets to the committee. The meetings are chaired by Hawaii Island Rep. […]

Community advocate Jackie Keefe announced her candidacy for the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives, District 14, which includes Kahakuloa, Waiheʻe, portions of Waiehu and Māʻalaea, Lahaina and Honokahua.

A coalition of community groups — joined by State Rep. Tina Nakada Grandinetti — today filed an amicus brief asking the  Hawaiʻi Supreme Court to reconsider its recent decision, Bank of New York Melon v. White, that changed the statute of limitations for mortgage foreclosures from six years to 20 years. The coalition notes this is years after the underlying loan note is no longer enforceable.

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., today informed legislative leaders and stakeholders of his intent to veto 19 bills passed during the 2025 regular session of the Hawai‘i State Legislature. Green has until July 9 to issue final vetoes. All other bills will become law by July 9. 

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 […]

“These bills address some of the most urgent challenges we’re facing right now in our state,” said Elefante. “We’ve made real progress by passing key legislation on public health, safety in correctional facilities, funding for law enforcement, cracking down on illegal fireworks, improving fire prevention, and supporting our Department of Defense.” 

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi hailed the 2025 Legislature’s passage this week of bills intended to increase the state’s housing stock, speed up the recovery of Lahaina and increase government accountability. 

The Hawaiʻi State Legislature gave final approval Wednesday to Senate Bill 1300, to expand free school meal access to keiki in the ALICE population over the next two school years.

State Rep. Justin H. Woodson (District 9, Kahului, Puʻunēnē, portion of Wailuku) announced that the House draft of the State Budget (HB300 HD1) includes a proposed $100 million appropriation to cover the remaining funds needed for the construction of Central Maui Elementary and Middle School. 

Legislators identified five top priority issues impacting Hawaiʻi’s youth and families, including tax credits for household and dependent care services, funding for community schools, paid family leave, e-cigarette regulations, and universal free school breakfast and lunches. 

Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez has released the final, forward-looking report for the Department of the Attorney General’s investigation into official government response to the Lahaina wildfire in August 2023. The disaster claimed the lives of at least 102 people, destroyed more than 2,000 structures and left thousands homeless.

With the 32nd State Legislature set to begin on Jan. 17, the Hawaiʻi Senate Majority said it is focused on addressing a range of issues, with a key focus on supporting ongoing disaster recovery efforts following the devastating Maui wildfires.