#Jarrett Keohokalole

A bill aimed at protecting Hawaiʻi renters from algorithmic price-setting has cleared the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, which has recommended passage on second reading and referral to the Judiciary and Ways and Means committees.

Two Senate committees voted Thursday to recommend passage of a bill to legalize adult personal use of cannabis Hawaiʻi and establish taxes on its retail sale and medical use.

In a move that could be a step toward addressing Maui’s chronic overpopulation of dogs and cats, a bill making its way through the state Senate would prohibit landlords from using rental agreements to forbid pets in tenants’ homes, if they obtain liability insurance to cover pet damages.

The Hawaiʻi Senate Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs has recommended passage of Senate Bill 222, which would appropriate an as yet undetermined amount of state funding for an illegal fireworks task force.

A joint informational briefing hosted by the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, the Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, and the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism takes place at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. The purpose of this joint informational briefing is for Hawaiian Electric Company to present its Wildfire Mitigation Plan, which was ordered by the Public Utilities Commission.

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.

Senate Bill 2659, introduced by Senators Jarrett Keohokalole and Les Ihara, Jr. and championed by the Native Hawaiian Caucus in both chambers of the Legislature, incorporates a regenerative framework into the Hawaiʻi State Planning Act and the state’s Tourism Functional Plan – documents that guide the operation of state and county agencies – by expanding objectives and policies for the visitor industry.

Gov. Josh Green followed through on his pledge to sign Senate Bill 2919, clarifying the counties’ authority to regulate short-term rentals. Mayor Richard Bissen has already moved ahead with introducing a bill to phase-out thousands of short-term rentals to open up long-term housing for residents.

At the end of a nearly four-mile walk, community organizer Archie Kalepa addressed a crowd gathered at Launiupoko saying, “The depth of our grief and the warmth of our aloha is overwhelming. Today marks a different kind of point in the history of this place.”

Prayer, ʻoli (chanting) and protocol were practiced during the Lele Aloha Hoʻūlu Lahaina Unity Walk held Saturday morning in West Maui. “We need to come together all of Hawaiʻi. We have the opportunity to rebuild Lahaina in a pono way,” said Kalepa. “Lahaina will take the lead but we need everyone’s support.”

The Women’s Community Correctional Center held a graduation ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, for women who earned a certificate from the Kapiolani Community College Culinary Arts Program as well as women who earned a certificate from the Windward Community College Psycho-Social Developmental Studies Program.

Senator Gilbert Keith-Agaran of Maui authored the bill. It allows for licensed physician assistants to perform certain abortions, repealing the requirement that abortions be performed at certain locations, and clarifying that the state shall not deny or interfere with a pregnant person’s right to choose to (1) obtain an abortion or (2) if necessary to protect the life or health of the patient, terminate the pregnancy.

The passing of Princess Abigail Kinohiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa was announced this morning by the Kawānanakoa Family, the Hale O Nā Aliʻi O Hawaiʻi royal Hawaiian society, and ‘Iolani Palace.

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. 

The Hawaiʻi Physician Workforce Assessment Project Report indicates that Hawaiʻi is in need of at least 750 doctors, with the greatest statewide shortage being in primary care specialties. The proportional need is greatest on the neighbor islands, with both Maui and Hawaiʻi County experiencing a physician shortage of 40%. 

The Native Hawaiian Legislative Caucus’ priorities included addressing the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands waitlist, settling the Kalima Case, and planning the Mauna Kea Stewardship and oversight authority.

The vaccination clinic team at Maui Health was honored Friday for their outstanding efforts in helping to vaccinate Maui residents with more than 83,000 doses since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Hawaiʻi State Legislature appropriated over $78 million in funding to projects and initiatives that were prioritized by the Legislative Native Hawaiian Affairs Caucus. The funding was appropriated after the legislative session that adjourned on April 29.

Senator Jarrett Keohokalole (District 24 – Kāneʻohe, Kailua, Heʻeia and ʻĀhuimanu) will assume the positions of Majority Floor Leader and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs.

The Hawai‘i State Senate passed a bill that would prohibit the Public Utilities Commission from extending or renewing any contracts to generate energy from coal and phase out the use of coal in Hawai‘i by the end of 2022.