#Hawaii Senate

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its budget informational briefings schedule for the upcoming 2026 legislative session to ensure responsible spending of public funds on resident priorities. The briefings, which are held before the session begins on Jan. 21, are designed to provide both legislators and the public with a clear understanding of […]

State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole denounced a federal administration announcement Thursday morning regarding the expansion of travel bans to 20 additional countries, including the Kingdom of Tonga.

Maui Sens. Lynn DeCoite, Troy Hashimoto and Angus McKelvey have secured various leadership positions.

On Maui, undocumented immigrants, people with legal status and U.S. citizens have been caught up in the federal mass deportation effort.

Gov. Josh Green today announced the appointment of Hawai‘i State Rep. Rachele Lamosao to serve as the state Senator for Senate District 19, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Sen. Henry Aquino that took effect Nov. 30.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate is urging PGA officials to find a home for The Sentry in Hawaiʻi after last week’s announcement that the tournament would not hold the event at the Plantation Course at Kapalua in 2026. The decision comes after 27 years on Maui and was attributed to “ongoing drought conditions, water conservation requirements, agronomic conditions and logistical challenges.”

A bill to make it easier for expectant mothers to give birth at home is under consideration by state lawmakers.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its schedule of informational briefings, to be held Jan. 6-28, 2025.

The state Office of Elections released the final results of the 2024 elections for Hawaiʻi voters. The final printout was posted by the State Office of Elections at 7:10 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 after voters had a chance to cure deficiencies with their ballot envelopes. Results from the 2024 Hawaiʻi General Election are being posed here as they become available, with a focus on races impacting Maui County.

Senate Bill 1035 SD2 HD1 CD1, exempts hospitals, infirmaries, medical clinics, health care facilities, pharmacies, and medical and dental providers from General Excise Tax on goods or services that are reimbursed through Medicaid, Medicare, or TRICARE. If approved by the governor, this law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

A virtual and in-person discussion to talk about Senate Bill 3381 SD2 – a bill to establish and appropriate funds to a nine-member “Lele Community District” in Lahaina – will take place on Saturday, March 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate Committee on Ways and Means on Friday advanced several bills aimed at addressing key priorities for the Senate. These bills cover areas of supporting the local agriculture industry, protecting the environment against invasive species, building the workforce for the future through public education, and addressing the affordable housing shortage.

Some of the highlights for District 6 include funds for teacher housing, flood mitigation measures for South Maui, funds for West Maui’s small boat harbors and ramps, and upgrades for district schools.  

The bill includes the addition of 3 permanent positions and $98,500 in FY24 and $200,250 in FY25 for Maui College’s health center. House Bill 300, House Draft 1, Senate Draft 1 now moves back to the House for further consideration.  

Key measures passed by the House today include bills relating to electronic smoking devices, child welfare services, a state telework pilot monitoring system, firearms, and destination management in Hawaiʻi.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee voted Thursday to approve the State Budget Bill, also known as House Bill 300. Highlights of the budget document are posted HERE.

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.

This year, the Hawaiʻi State Capitol is open to the pubic and in-person public sessions for the first time since COVID-19 led to social distancing.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate finalized leadership and committee assignments ahead of the 32nd Legislature that opens on Jan. 18, 2023.

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.