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

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – As federal decisions to eliminate funding and reduce social services have threatened Hawaiʻi’s social safety net in recent months, the House Committee on Human Services & Homelessness (HSH) has advanced measures aimed at protecting local families and vulnerable residents, according to Committee Chair Lisa Marten.   Ahead of the First Decking deadline on Friday, March 6, 2026, the committee passed priority bills focused on public benefits, social assistanc

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – The House Committee on Tourism has passed several key measures ahead of the First Decking deadline on Friday, March 6, 2026, advancing policies focused on responsible tourism, climate resilience, public safety, and economic diversification.   "These bills reflect our commitment to balancing a strong visitor industry with the needs of our residents," said House Committee on Tourism Chair Adrian K. Tam (D-24, Waikīkī). "Tourism must work for Hawaiʻi by buil

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura announces updated House leadership and committee assignments for the Thirty-Third Legislature.    ###    Attachment: ​ Cathy S . Lee Director of Communications Hawaiʻi House of Representatives hmcommunications@capitol.hawaii.gov

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – Representative Daniel Holt (D-28, Sand Island, Iwilei, Chinatown) today announced that he will not seek another term in the State House, with his final day in office set for Friday, February 13, 2026. This decision comes after Governor Josh Green appointed Holt as Special Assistant to the Chair of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).   Holt will officially begin his new role on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.   "I am grateful for the opportuni

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –  The Hawaiʻi State Legislature will reopen on Tuesday, February 10, following the closure of state offices on Monday due to forecasted weather conditions. Regular operations will resume in both the Hawaiʻi   Senate and the Hawaiʻi   House of Representatives for Session Day #12, with committee hearings and floor sessions proceeding as scheduled.   For information on updated committee hearing notices, please visit www.capitol.hawaii.gov .   Senate and House

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The Hawaiʻi State Legislature will be closed on Monday, February 9, 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 February 9 will be postponed, and floor sessions in both chambers for Session Day #12 will not be convened.   Legislative leadership urges the public to stay safe and remain alert as weather conditions deve

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives’ Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs (JHA) Committee recognizes Committee Staff Attorney Sean Aronson for completion of the 2025 National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Pretrial Policy Fellows Program, a year-long national peer-learning initiative focused on improving state pretrial justice systems.   The NCSL Pretrial Policy Fellows Program supports legislators and legislative staff who are working on reforms related

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives today passed House Resolution No. 8  with unanimous support, urging the Department of the Attorney General to expedite the state’s investigation into the alleged acceptance of campaign funds by a state legislator. The resolution’s passage follows notice that federal authorities will share evidence with state officials, allowing the Attorney General to move forward with a parallel state review.   “The House is formally r

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – On Thursday, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature’s Working Families Caucus and community advocates introduced a five-bill legislative package dedicated to supporting working families by strengthening childcare subsidies, expanding the dependent care services tax credit, increasing Medicaid funding, and restructuring income tax brackets for higher-income earners.   “Hawaiʻi’s working families need our support more than ever, particularly as recent federal action

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – On Wednesday, members of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature's Keiki Caucus and community advocates unveiled the 2026 Keiki Caucus Bill Package, comprised of five priority bills that address the health and welfare of Hawaiʻi's youth.   The proposed measures address a range of critical issues, including expanding access to free school meals in charter schools, strengthening responses to youth mental health challenges, prohibiting flavored nicotine products, esta

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – On January 28, members of the bipartisan Hawaiʻi Women's Legislative Caucus (WLC) led a panel discussion in collaboration with the YWCA of Oʻahu to present their 2026 legislative package as part of their continuous work to improve the lives of Hawaiʻi's women, children, and families. “This session, the Women’s Legislative Caucus worked closely with stakeholders and advocates to introduce legislation that directly addresses some of our most vulnerable comm

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – The Hawaiʻi State Senate and the Hawai‘i House of Representatives will convene in regular session on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, marking the second year of the 33rd Legislature.   WHO:              Hawai‘i State Legislature   WHAT:          The Hawai‘i State Senate and the Hawai‘i House of Representatives will convene their 2026 session.   WHEN:           Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.   WHERE:       House Chamber, Senate Chamber | Hawai‘i St

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The Hawaiʻi State Legislature will convene in regular session on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, marking the second year of the 33rd Legislature. As the legislative session begins, the House Majority Caucus has outlined its top priorities for the upcoming year.   “The House Majority Caucus is focused on strengthening the services and programs that support our local families,” said House Majority Leader Sean Quinlan (D-47 Waialua, Hale‘iwa, Kawailoa Beach, Wai

HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green today announced the appointment of Daisy Hartsfield to serve as the State Representative for House District 36, filling the vacancy created by the appointment of former Rep. Rachele Lamosao to the Senate seat for District 19.House District 36 includes the communities of Waipahu and Village Park, which Hartsfield has called home for most of her life. “Daisy Hartsfield brings deep roots in Waipahu and more than two decades of experience in public

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura issued the following statement:   "The House condemns any acceptance of campaign funds without reporting those funds to the Campaign Spending Commission. In response to the petition to "Restore Public Trust — Investigate the Unknown Hawaiʻi Legislator", the twenty-three currently serving House members who held office in 2022 publicly affirm that they are not the lawmaker referenced in the United States Attorney's pleading and th

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  – The House Committee on Finance (FIN) will hold its first informational briefings of 2026, in which various State departmental representatives will provide updates and requests on their budget proposals.   WHO:              Representative Chris Todd, Chair, House Committee on Finance Representative Jenna Takenouchi, Vice Chair, House Committee on Finance Members of the House Committee on Finance   WHAT:          House Committee on Finance

Maui, Hawaiʻi  – State Representative Tyson K. Miyake (D-10 Portion of Waiehu, Paukukalo, Wailuku, Wailuku Heights, Waikapu, Hyashi Village) was recently selected as a participant in The Council of State Governments West’s (CSG West) prestigious training program for lawmakers serving in their first four years of service. The purpose of the Western Legislative Academy (WLA) is to build excellence and effectiveness in state legislators and their commitment to the institution o