#terez amato

Some of Maui’s youngest learners welcomed special visitors this week as Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke visited new public pre-kindergarten classrooms at Haʻikū Elementary and Kīhei Elementary. Luke, who leads the state’s Ready Keiki initiative to expand access to preschool statewide, was joined by Sen. Lynn DeCoite and Rep. Terez Amato.

State Sen. Angus L.K. McKelvey on Wednesday announced $3.2 million in Capital Improvement Project funds to design and construct axis deer fencing in South Maui.

The Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives has returned to committee a bill aimed at legalizing recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and older, a move likely to kill the measure this session in the House, disappointing advocates and sparking ongoing debate.

Bills have been referred to committees in both chambers of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature to limit the amount landlords can raise rents for tenants at a time of desperate housing shortages and renters having few, if any, options if they can’t afford demands for higher monthly rent payments.

The House Committee on Human Services & Homelessness advanced a bill Thursday to prohibit homeless encampments near schools.

A House bill introduced by Maui County and Oʻahu legislators is seeking $3 million each in the next two fiscal years for the state Department of Agriculture to prevent and control little fire ants and coconut rhinoceros beetles on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.

Four Maui County members of the state House of Representatives are seeking state funding for the purchase of an advanced life support ambulance for Central Maui.

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.

As Hawaiʻi lawmakers get ready for the opening of this year’s legislative session on Jan. 15, members of the House and Senate are holding informational meetings and the Senate Democratic majority has announced its legislative priorities.

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 Maui Hotel & Lodging Association held a candidate meet-and-greet event on Oct. 9 at the Maui Bay Villas, Hilton Grand Vacations in Kīhei.

A groundbreaking ceremony with a Hawaiian blessing marked the beginning of construction of 117 units of senior housing at Līloa Hale, a project in Kīhei by Hale Mahaolu and Highridge Costa Development Co.

By virtue of being uncontested, Maui County Council Members Shane Sinenci of East Maui and Gabe Johnson of Lāna‘i will be re-elected to their respective seats this year. Central Maui Sen. Troy Hashimoto is also uncontested for his 5th District Senate seat, and District 9 Rep. Justin Woodson has no opponent to stand in the way of his return to the state House of Representatives.

With a June 4 deadline just a week away, there’s been a flurry of activity in the past three weeks by candidates seeking Maui County political offices, with several checking out and/or filing their official nomination papers.

Senator Angus McKelvey (Senate District 6, West Maui, Māʻalaea, Waikapū, South Maui) and Representative Terez Amato (House District 11, Māʻalaea, Kīhei, Wailea) will host a Town Hall for South Maui residents on Friday, Jan. 12 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Kūlanihākoʻi High School Cafeteria.

Speaker Scott K. Saiki established interim House working groups charged with evaluating specific topics related to the Lahaina wildfire and making recommendations for appropriate legislative action. Todayʻs meeting starts at 2 p.m., and is available via video conference.

Plans were unveiled for an overpass across Piʻilani Highway at the entrance to the newly opened Kūlanihākoʻi High School, but it will not be completed for two years at the earliest — and thatʻs only if funding is secured.

House Speaker Scott K. Saiki, Majority Leader Nadine K. Nakamura, and Minority Leader Lauren Matsumoto announced the establishment of six interim House working groups tasked with the crucial responsibility of evaluating specific topics related to the Lahaina wildfire and making recommendations for appropriate legislative action in the 2024 Legislative Session. Working groups will focus on: environmental remediation; food, water and other supplies; jobs and businesses; schools; shelter; and wildfire prevention.

“HB 619 will benefit Hawaiʻi’s small farmers and those facing food insecurity in our state by providing tax relief to farmers and healthy nutritious foods to non-profit food banks. It is a win-win situation for everyone,” said Representative Mahina Poepoe (D-13, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Kaho‘olawe, portion of Kahului, Ha‘ikū, Pe‘ahi, Huelo, Nāhiku, Hāna, Kīpahulu).

All six of Maui County’s State Representatives hold leadership roles in six different House Committees for the 2023 legislative session.