#House of Representatives

Council Vice-Chair Yuki Lei K. Sugimura today thanked Hawaii’s congressional delegation for its efforts to secure federal tax relief for qualified disaster survivors, such as those impacted by the August 2023 wildfires in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui, and is urging President Donald Trump to sign the legislation into law.

Hawaiʻi US Rep. Jill Tokuda voted against the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027, saying she opposed provisions in the bill unrelated to military policy, even as she credited the final version with excluding language that would have given the military authority to condemn and take Hawaiʻi lands. The House passed the bill […]

A chef, a high school teacher and a business advocate are competing in a primary for the House District 14 seat that is wide open after incumbent Rep. Elle Cochran switched parties.

Maui Health also got funding in the budget as the legislative session closed last week, but lawmakers think it won’t be enough for repairs to the storm-damaged Kula Hospital.

State Rep. Elle Cochran of West Maui missed 20% of floor sessions so far this year, the highest absence rate among all House members, according to House of Representatives’ Daily Session Attendance sheets. The records show Cochran was absent for 11 out of 55 session days.

Chair Tarnas emphasized that the proposed legislation intends to protect constitutional rights and clarify state policies, while not interfering with the lawful responsibilities of federal authorities.

A proposal in the State Legislature calls for lifting the current ban on private shoreline hardening to allow minimal use to help property owners.

The Hawaiʻi State Legislature will convene in regular session on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, marking the second year of the 33rd Legislature. As the legislative session begins, the House Majority Caucus has outlined its top priorities for the upcoming year.

A bill aimed at boosting local homeownership and affordable rentals through state-funded county acquisitions of voluntary deed restrictions has stalled in the Senate Housing Committee and will not advance this legislative session, which ends Friday. However, during its regular meeting Friday, the Maui County Council will consider its own legislation to use voluntary deed restrictions […]

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled for decision-making next week on a House bill that would authorize sex trafficking victims to file civil lawsuits against the perpetrators of what’s been called a “form of modern-day slavery.” House Bill 111 cites a report published in 2018 by Arizona State University and the Hawaiʻi State Commission on […]

Two state House committees have decided to defer action on a Senate bill that would, among other things, require private and public property owners to trim grass within certain proximities of public rights of way and utility lines.

Maui County highlights in the House Finance Committee draft budgets for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 include $1.6 million in both fiscal years for Kamehameha III temporary school in Lahaina and $12 million in fiscal 2026 and $6 million in fiscal 2027 for Maui Health System.

The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives has approved all seven bills in the House Majority Package on third reading ahead of the first crossover deadline on Thursday. The bills move on to the Senate for further consideration. 

The House of Representatives has passed on second reading a bill to combat the coconut rhinoceros beetle.

The House Committee on Human Services & Homelessness will hold a public hearing at 9 a.m. Tuesday on a proposal to establish a working group to study the issue of people unlawfully occupying private property.

A House bill requested by the administration of Gov. Josh Green aimed at preventing wildfires in Hawaiʻi will be heard by two House committees at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

A bill encouraging the diversion of food waste from Hawaiʻi landfills has passed first reading in the state House of Representatives and has been referred for review to three committees: Energy & Environmental Protection; Water & Land; and Finance.

House Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura announced House leadership and committee assignments for the 33rd Legislature. Maui Rep. Tyson Miyake was named Majority Whip, Rep. Justin Woodson was named chair of the House Committee on Education, and Rep. Kyle Yamashita was named chair of the House Committee on Finance.

The House of Representatives welcomes applications for various session staff roles during the 2025 Legislative Session. These positions include legislative aide, committee clerk, program budget analyst, data-entry clerk, receptionist, service aide, support staff for remote hearings, legislative attorney and more.

Elected officials will hear from federal and local witnesses as it looks into whether the government followed the lessons it learned from other disasters.