#State Legislature
‘Green fee’ proposals to boost Hawai‘i’s environment, disaster resilience on path to approval
A plan to use $130 million from the state’s first climate impact tax got the full backing of lawmakers on the critical House Finance Committee. Now it heads to the Senate.
Who should get first crack at water licenses in Hawaiʻi? This bill wants it to be the counties
The proposal comes at a time when Maui County is hoping to one day take over the private system used to divert streams in East Maui.
With $130M in new ‘green fees’ expected, Hawaiʻi eyes 75 projects to address a long list of environment-related needs
The advisory council reviewed over 600 projects worth $2 billion before selecting the final 75 for recommendation, including several measures to improve hazard prevention and awareness after the 2023 Lahaina wildfires.
With ‘tougher session’ ahead, Maui Nui lawmakers strategize on seeking funding for fire recovery, housing
A lagging economy will mean a tighter budget and tougher choices for lawmakers as the Legislature opens today.
Housing bills vie for state lawmakers’ attention
With a bill introduction deadline looming on Thursday, state lawmakers already have nearly 150 measures to consider as ways to address Hawaii’s dire housing shortage, a problem even more acute on Maui after the August 2023 wildfires destroyed thousands of homes.
House bill funding invasive parakeet removal on Kaua‘i draws widespread support
House Bill No. 2329 allocates $150,000 to establish a one-year pilot program to reduce the population of rose-ringed parakeets on the Garden Isle.
General excise tax surcharge in effect for Maui County
The state legislature authorized Maui County to implement a 0.5% general excise tax surcharge that took effect Jan. 1, 2024. Revenue from the county surcharge will be used for housing infrastructure, including water, wastewater, pedestrian paths and sidewalks.
State legislature passes bill with $200 million for expanding preschool access
The Hawaiʻi State Legislature passed six bills that would invest $220 million in education, with $200 million appropriated for the goal of expanding preschool access to all 3- and 4-year olds by 2032.
House finance leader Rep. Sylvia Luke backs executive branch budget
Rep. Sylvia Luke, House Committee on Finance chairwoman, said she backs the executive branch budget, which includes about $8.6 billion in General Funds and $16.7 billion in All Means of Financing, according to a news release today.
Maui Senators Update Constituents as Legislative Session is Suspended
Hawai’i State senators from Maui released a video Monday afternoon announcing the suspension of senate sessions. Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English of Maui announced in the video that the state legislature will be in recess until after the pandemic is over. The decision came as a precautionary move to protect the safety of Hawai’i residents.
Airport Corporation Proposal Seeks to Address Inefficiencies
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Airlines Committee of Hawaiʻi, the Airport Concessionaires Committee, and various stakeholders have joined in expressing support for an airport corporation proposal currently being debated in the State Legislature. DOT representatives say the entities agree that inefficiencies associated with the Airports Division system must be changed, which are […]
Senate Passes 208 Bills Ahead of Crossover Deadline
The Hawaiʻi state Senate passed a total of 208 bills on third reading, ahead of the Second Crossover deadline of April 13.
Free Workshops on How to Influence State Laws
Tonight’s workshop begins at 6 p.m. at the Kīhei Public Library and is designed to help citizens learn how to participate in the Hawaiʻi legislative process.
Tourism Authority Receives $2M for Asia-Pacific Marketing
The 2012 Hawaii State Legislature approved an additional $2 million for fiscal years 2013 through 2015 for the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
VIDEO: George Fontaine State House Dist 11 Candidate Profile, Decision 2010 MauiNOW.com
George Fontaine, 2010 candidate for State House District 11, Transcript: Introduction: Please introduce yourself, give your name, the race you are running for and briefly name the key issues you plan to address in your campaign. Answer: My name is George Fontaine and I’m running for District 11 for the state House of Representatives. I have […]
Maui event draws line in the sand expressing opposition to offshore drilling
Members of the Surfrider group on Maui will draw a line in the sand this weekend, symbolizing their opposition to offshore drilling. The “Hands Across the Sand” event is part of a larger global effort to stop near and offshore drilling. The Maui event includes a rally and beach cleanup at two locations this Saturday, […]
Tavares on TAT: “We can see the light at the end of the tunnel”
By Wendy Osher The state legislature did not vote before Friday’s deadline on a proposal to take the county’s share of the Transient accommodation tax or TAT. Now it’s a wait and see situation as county mayors across the state monitor the latest developments. “We’re not out of the woods quite yet,” said Maui Mayor […]
Maui Regional Public Safety Complex moving forward
Governor Linda Lingle today announced that the State is moving forward with plans to build an estimated $235 million jail facility in Puunene, Maui. The project, planned for location within the former Puunene Airport area along Mokulele Highway, is aimed at replacing the aged and overcrowded existing Maui Community Correctional Center and provide for anticipated […]
Kahoohalahala announces mayoral bid; field for Maui’s top job grows
By Wendy Osher Lanai Councilman Sol Kahoohalahala is the latest contender to express interest in the Mayor’s race. He made the announcement of his intent to run before a small gathering of kupuna on Maui on Sunday. Kahoohalahala currently serves as Chair of the council’s Planning Committee and vice-chair of the council’s committee on Economic […]
OHA Submits Modified Bill to Resolve Past-Due Claims
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will submit a bill for introduction in the current session of the State Legislature that will again seek to have the State retire the $200 million debt OHA officials say resulted from Public Land Trust revenues unpaid from 1978 to 2010. If enacted, the legislation will establish the debt at […]
