#lorraine inouye
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.
Bill to require nonresident user fees at state parks and trails clears key Senate panel
The Senate Ways and Means Committee unanimously recommended passage Tuesday of a bill to set user fees only for nonresidents visiting state parks and trails.
Fireworks task force bill passes out of committee; now headed for final reading
The Hawaiʻi Senate Ways and Means Committee passed Senate Bill 222, which would fund an illegal fireworks task force. Although the amount of funding is not specified, the measure is now headed for third reading on the Senate floor before crossing over to the House of Representatives.
Senate bill passes to waive SMA permits for rebuilding in historic Lahaina town
A bill to help with rebuilding historic Lahaina town advanced Monday afternoon out of the Senate Water and Land Committee, chaired by Sen. Lorraine Inouye of Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island.
Senate bill would transfer Māla Wharf and Kīhei Boat Ramp to Maui County
Dissatisfied by state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ management of small boating facilities, West and South Maui Sen. Angus McKelvey has drafted a bill to transfer maintenance and operations of Māla wharf in Lahaina and the Kīhei boat ramp to Maui County. Under the bill, the County could set permit fees to generate revenue for the facilities’ upkeep.
Gov. Green signs bill to clarify counties’ authority in regulating short-term rentals
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.
Kaleo Manuel to depart the Commission on Water Resource Management
Kaleo Manuel, the First Deputy on the state Commission on Water Resource Management is apparently leaving his post after being reassigned following the August wildfires, and then reinstated two months later following an investigation by the Attorney General.
Maui Senators earn leadership positions and committee assignments
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.