Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – On Friday, April 17, the Hawaiʻi State Capitol will come alive as a vibrant hub of art, music, dance, and film for the 17th Annual Art at the Capitol. This free, family-friendly event invites the public to explore artwork displayed throughout Capitol hallways, discover creative pieces featured in legislative offices, and connect with their legislators.   Hosted by Representative Jeanne Kapela and Senator Chris Lee, this event is a collaboration between th

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The Hawaiʻi State Legislature will remain open on Friday, April 10, 2026, to meet legislative deadlines and perform essential functions. The Senate and House floor sessions in their respective chambers for Session Day #43 will convene as scheduled. April 10 marks the Second Decking Deadline. While the Legislature remains open, members of the public are encouraged to participate virtually by viewing floor sessions and committee hearings live at the followi

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives today recognized the Hawaiian Council, formerly known as Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, for 25 years of advancing the cultural, economic, political, and overall well-being of Native Hawaiians. The recognition was delivered during a floor presentation in the House chamber.   "This 25-year milestone reflects not only the organization's growth, but the trust it has built and the impact it continues to make," sai

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives today recognized four organizations for their outstanding efforts in supporting more than 100,000 veterans and their families across the state during a floor presentation in the House chamber.   The organizations recognized include the Oʻahu Veterans Council, Armed Services YMCA Hawaiʻi, U.S. VETS Hawaiʻi, and American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Hawaiʻi Girls State.   “As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, it is

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – On Monday, April 6, the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce & Consumer Protection will convene an informational briefing on the Hawaiʻi Hurricane Relief Fund (HHRF).   Representatives from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Insurance Division, the Hawaiʻi Property Insurance Association (HPIA), and the HHRF will cover the status of Act 296 (2025) , which aims to stabilize Hawaiʻi’s prop

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – The Hawaiʻi State Legislature, in partnership with the Women’s Legislative Caucus, came together today at the State Capitol to support local families through its Easter Basket Drive, an effort focused on providing essential items to community organizations serving vulnerable populations across the state.   Over the past month, House and Senate members, along with staff and volunteers, collected donations and assembled an assortment of baskets filled with

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Today, the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection expressed serious concerns over the reliability of analysis by the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office (HSEO), following the admission by HSEO, as well as confirmation by the Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) and the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) of significant errors in HSEO’s Alternative Fuels, Repowering, and Energy Transition Study .    For over a year, HSEO

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – Strengthening protections against predatory gambling practices, deceptive mail solicitations, cryptocurrency-related transactions, and ensuring residents’ online privacy are among the measures passed this session by the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.   “We are focused on closing loopholes that enable predatory practices, and ensuring law enforcement is equipped with the tools necessary to prevent fraud in our communities, especially fo

Kohala, Hawaiʻi  – Representative David A. Tarnas (House District 8 –North and South Kohala) announced that $1 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding  has been included in the house draft of the state budget bill ( HB1800 HD1) , to support the Pololū Trailhead and Historic Trail Improvements Project . The budget bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.   The proposed funding will support planning, design, and improvements to the Pololū Valley trailhead and

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives passed a series of transportation-related bills that have been transmitted to the Senate for consideration. The legislation targets key areas, including road safety, traffic enforcement, and improving mobility and public safety across the state.   "These bills reflect our committee’s priorities: making streets safer, improving enforcement and traffic safety, and ensuring the well-being of our residents," said House Com

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives advanced numerous bills relating to Native Hawaiian affairs that support housing, cultural preservation, and community support. The measures, developed by the House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, have now been transmitted to the Senate for its consideration.   House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs Chair David A. Tarnas  (D-8 North and South Kohala) stated that, “At the beginning of the legislative

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives is proud to recognize House   Education Week at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol from March 16 - 20, 2026. Sponsored by the House Committee on Education, House Education Week honors Hawaiʻi’s teachers, faculty members, students, and librarians who have made notable contributions to our communities within the field of education.   “It’s an honor to host this year’s House Education Week, an annual tradition that celebrates   H

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –  The Hawaiʻi State Legislature will be closed on Friday, March 13, following Governor Josh Green’s announcement regarding the closure of state offices due to potentially severe weather conditions.   All Senate and House committee hearings scheduled for March 13 will be postponed, and floor sessions in both chambers for Session Day #27 will not be convened.   Legislative leadership urges the public to stay safe and remain alert as weather conditions develop

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – Ahead of the legislative crossover deadline, the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives adopted a slate of good government measures advanced by the House Committee on Judiciary. The bills have now crossed over to the Senate for further consideration.   “This package of good government bills strengthens our state statutes that prevent public corruption, expand the number of government employees subject to financial disclosure requirements, ensure safe and secure

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – The House Finance Committee today passed HB1800 HD1 , the House draft of the state supplemental budget, amending the operating and capital improvement budget for fiscal biennium FY 2026–2027.   The $10 billion budget prioritizes investments that support local families, strengthen essential public services, and build long-term resilience for Hawaiʻi's communities. Funding is directed toward critical areas including health and human services, environmental

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – Several bills advanced by the House Committee on Labor address priorities set by the House Majority at the outset of the 2026 Legislative Session, particularly relating to workforce shortages, preserving the social safety net, and diversifying and strengthening the state's economy.   "Recognizing the short- and long-term labor challenges in Hawaiʻi, these bills advance policies to recruit and retain skilled public employees, grow the next generation of lo

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives yesterday adopted bills to modernize and strengthen the state’s criminal justice system. Developed by the House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, the measures focus on increasing fairness, ensuring law enforcement is qualified and well trained, improving transparency and data collection, and promoting better outcomes for individuals and communities.   “Advocates have long called for realignment of Hawaiʻi’s cr

HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI - The Hawaiʻi State Legislature mourns the passing of former U.S. Representative and Hawaiʻi State Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, a trailblazing leader and devoted public servant whose lifetime of service leaves a profound legacy for Hawaiʻi and its people. Throughout her distinguished career, Hanabusa dedicated herself to public service with unwavering conviction and a deep sense of responsibility to the communities she represented. She made history as

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – The House Committee on Housing has passed several measures addressing affordable housing for Hawaiʻi's residents, as communities across the state continue to face a limited housing supply. The legislation focuses on increasing housing production, reducing regulatory barriers, and supporting the infrastructure necessary to sustain growth, according to House Committee on Housing Chair Luke A. Evslin.   “Hawaiʻi continues to face a severe housing shortage, a

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – A slate of bills focused on immigrant rights and state immigration policies has passed out of the House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs ahead of the First Decking deadline on Friday, March 6, 2026.   The measures focus on immigration enforcement operations, individual rights, uniform statewide standards, and protections for vulnerable individuals.   “Members of our communities across the state are experiencing uncertainty and real impacts due to