Students honored for voter registrations The Garden Island Dennis Fujimoto August 14, 2025 Original Article LIHUE — Six high school students and a Department of Education Complex Area resource teacher were honored for their efforts that increased the list of registered voters by more than 300 voters. Indivisible Kauai, a group dedicated to fighting for democracy, joined Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and Senate President Ron Kouchi in congratulating and recognizing the students from Island School, Kspaa, and Waimea high schools, as well as resource teacher Darlene Muraoka from the Complex Area office. “These students have shown that civic engagement starts early,” Kawakami said. “They’ve set an example for the whole community.” Waimea High School, with support from social studies teacher Lisa Davalos-Wade, registered 135 voters through the efforts of Bystin Nagamine, Stanley Kimmel, and Naia Lewis. Khloe Graves, who is on track to be a middle blocker for the Kapaa High School girls volleyball team, worked with Muraoka to register 106 voters, the most of the student registrars. Island School, with the support of High School and College Counselor Renate McMullen, saw the team effort of sisters Violet and Ruby Swartz register 77 students during a May 5 drive. Muraoka said voters can register when they are 16 years old. They cannot vote until they turn 18. Muraoka, a key organizer for the recent Back to School Bash, where 2,500 backpacks of school supplies were distributed, was assigned to the initiative to select student leaders, arrange training, and ensure campus rules were followed during the voter registration drives. Indivisible Kauai member Mary Lu Kelley said, “Building on this success, additional student-led registration drives are planned for the Fall 2025 and the Spring 2026. We hope to get participation from the Hawaii Technology Academy and Kauai High School, joining the current roster of Waimea, Kapaa, and Island School.” The voter registration initiative started in the summer of 2024 when Kauai voter registrar Bevin Parker-Evans and Kelley met with then-DOE Complex Area Superintendent Daniel Hamada to discuss increasing civic engagement in high schools. The Kauai Indivisible ladies proposed student-led voter registration events supported by training and materials from “The Civics Center,” a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth participation in democracy.

New Hawaii fireworks laws take effect today Star Advertiser Andrew Gomes July 1, 2025 Original Article Hawaii’s governor and a top state law enforcement official shot off a warning to illegal fireworks users Monday, four days before the Fourth of July, announcing two new laws that took effect today. During a ceremony in his office at the state Capitol, Gov. Josh Green signed two “signature” bills passed by the Legislature in May to crack down on rampant use, possession and distribution of illegal fireworks statewide. One new law allows police officers to issue $300 civil citations for unpermitted fireworks possession or use. The law also establishes, among other things, higher criminal felony penalties for accidents that seriously injure or kill anyone, for possessing large quantities of fireworks and for repeat convictions. The other new law allows use of aerial drone images as evidence for prosecution, and there could be 10 state Department of Law Enforcement drones shooting video in the skies over Oahu Friday. “Today’s signing represents a change in the way that we view, prioritize and enforce (new laws against) individuals that recklessly place our communities at risk,” said DLE Director Mike Lambert. “No longer will we look at it as a benign activity or family fun.” Lambert said there will be “much more enforcement” of violations occurring July 4 as a tuneup of sorts for New Year’s Eve when fireworks use soars in Hawaii. Green advised the public to attend organized public fireworks shows or watch them on TV instead of risking fines, prison terms and the safety of themselves or others by using illegal fireworks. “The police are going to be able to really charge, and then have the prosecutors prosecute cases to the max because of what the Legislature did,” Green said. “And these penalties are not going to be small. These are going to be serious felonies now. … I don’t want anyone to be surprised when there’s a felony charge against them.” Green also urged people who plan to set off illegal fireworks Friday to instead surrender them to DLE at upcoming collection events to be announced later. The two bills that became law today, House Bills 1483 and 550, were part of a flurry of legislation introduced in mid-January after a bomb-like fireworks cache explosion during a New Year’s Eve party at an Aliamanu home killed six people, including a 3-year-old boy, and injured dozens of others. Some people involved in the incident were charged with crimes under then-existing laws that the Legislature and many community members consider insufficient. Other residents have been frustrated for decades at the widespread use of fireworks, including aerials, that can cause fires, respiratory issues and often rival commercial-grade pyrotechnics that produce house-shaking booms. “When the community and our constituents gave us a call to action, we responded and delivered by passing these bills to deter the use of illegal fireworks,” said Sen. Brandon Elefante, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs. Elefante (D, Aiea-Pacific Palisades-Pearl City) also noted the Legislature passed two other fireworks-related bills that Green signed Monday. HB 806 appropriates $500,000 to DLE in the fiscal year beginning today and the same amount next fiscal year to conduct fireworks sting operations on Oahu. Senate Bill 222 extends for five years an illegal fireworks task force that was established in June 2023 within DLE and was scheduled to disband Monday. The state budget bill also appropriates about $5 million for an Explosive Enforcement Section in DLE with eight staff positions to disrupt the illegal fireworks trade in Hawaii. Rep. Scot Matayoshi, chair of the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, said he was personally concerned for the safety of his own family after the tragic event in Aliamanu, in part because he has a 3-year-old son. “After that incident happened, we didn’t know if our neighbor had a bomb in their house that was about to go off to threaten our families, our kids sleeping in their beds,” said Matayoshi (D, Kaneohe-Maunawili) during Monday’s ceremony. “It was a really scary time, and I’m really glad that the Legislature came together with the help of and support of Governor Green and the attorney general’s office to craft a bill, to craft legislation, to proactively take a stand on this.” Matayoshi, the lead introducer of HB 1483 , which is packed with all kinds of new violations and penalties related to illegal fireworks covering 88 pages, said the goal of the new law is to deter use. “You know, we don’t sell a lot of fur coats here in Hawaii. There’s just no market for it,” he said. “What I want is for fireworks to be a fur coat. I want it to be harder to sell a fur coat on the beach in Waikiki than it is to sell an illegal firework here in Hawaii because so many people are afraid of the consequences of using and buying them, and afraid of the harm it’s going to cause to both themselves and their families.” Penalties under the new law include up to one year in jail and/or up to a $2,000 fine for illegally setting off aerials within 500 feet of a dwelling. The offense can rise to a Class C felony punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment and/or up to a $10,000 fine for anyone with a fireworks conviction in the prior 10 years. If the fireworks cause substantial injury to someone, the offense rises to a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or up to a $25,000 fine. And if someone is seriously injured, it rises to a Class A felony punishable up to 20 years in prison and/or up to a $50,000 fine. The same range of felony penalties in instances of repeat convictions and injuries also applies to distributors of illegal fireworks. Another part in the new law establishes felony offenses for purchasing or possessing large quantities of illicit fireworks. “Don’t run the risk of being the first person prosecuted with a Class B or Class A felony for blowing up some child,” Green warned. “You don’t want to be the person that goes to jail for 20 years. … We’re not trying to take the fun out of life at all. I love fireworks. We all love fireworks — but when they’re done safely, that is the key.”

DKI Highway speed limit could be lowered to 55 mph Hawaii Tribune-Herald John Burnett November 13, 2025 Original Article State Sen. Lorraine Inouye, who introduced a bill that in 2017 increased the speed limit on portions of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway from 55 mph to 60 mph, said she thinks it’s time to roll the speed limit back to 55. Inouye, a Hilo Democrat, told the Tribune-Herald fatalities on the Big Island’s main east-west thoroughfare — also known as Route 200 and Saddle Road — are “very concerning,” and she’s considering introducing a bill in the 2026 legislative session to return the speed limit to 55 mph. According to Inouye, she was “happy when that highway was completed” in 2013, mostly with federal funding. “I was the one that told state Highways Division, ‘Let’s consider raising the speed limit in the appropriate areas’ at the time the road was dedicated,” Inouye said. “And I did that by law. “But, nonetheless, I think I’m going to make an amendment to take away that benefit for our drivers. It’s the drivers who are minding the speed limit who get hurt. That’s why, for me, it’s very bothersome. This is addressing those who are being killed by the drivers who are speeding.” The most recent fatal crash was on Oct. 23, a head-on collision that claimed the lives of 47-year-old Anina Masaichy and her 3-week-old granddaughter. Four other passengers in the Subaru SUV Masaichy and the infant were in sustained serious injuries — a 4-year-old boy, 17-year-old girl, 18-year-old woman and 51-year-old man. The driver of the other vehicle, 43-year-old Kimo Medeiros of Kurtistown, allegedly caused the crash and has a long history of traffic offenses. He was cited just three days earlier for driving without a license. Medeiros was charged with two counts each of manslaughter, first-degree negligent homicide and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug; three counts of first-degree negligent injury; plus reckless driving, driving under the influence of drugs, marijuana possession, and driving without a license. Medeiros, who was driving a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, was indicted Nov. 3 by a Hilo grand jury. His bail is set $2.055 million. Inouye said state Transportation Director Ed Sniffen supports her idea for the speed limit reduction. An email from the state Department of Transportation said agency officials believe “setting speed limits on DKI Highway/Saddle Road that are consistent with the characteristics and surrounding land use will improve safety. Especially with the recent fatal crashes involving speed and head-on crashes on DKI Highway/Saddle Road.” An Oct. 28 press release by the Hawaii Police Department urged motorists “to drive responsibly following a recent increase in reports and incidents involving reckless and dangerous driving.” As of October, officers had issued over 9,200 speeding citations, compared to 9,088 citations issued in all of 2024, the release said. Police said “a significant majority” of excessive speed citations and arrests this year have occurred along the DKI, underscoring the ongoing danger associated with speeding and reckless behavior on the highway. “It’s a known fact that speed kills. It’s just physics,” said Reed Mahuna, interim police chief. “The faster you’re going has an impact on injuries and fatalities. I don’t think the police department would ever be in a position to be opposed to a reduction in the speed limit. “I would say that people who are driving 60 mph on that stretch of roadway and driving legally and safely are not necessarily the problem,” Mahuna added. “The fatal crashes that we have, people are driving recklessly. They’re driving in excess of 60, or they’re driving 60 when the road conditions aren’t safe — in heavy rain, for example, in fog or in other situations where it creates an unsafe road condition by the manner in which they’re driving. “I think that we, as a community, have to look at ourselves in the mirror and decide that we’re going to drive safely, that we’re going to care for one another — especially our keiki and our kupuna, the most vulnerable among us — and that getting somewhere two, five or 10 minutes earlier is not worth putting ourselves, our family and our community family at risk. I think that’s the turning point.” “We, as a police department, we’re going to continue to do our enforcement, we’re going to aggressively look at ways that we can reduce fatal traffic crashes on the island,” Mahuna concluded. “But I think that all of us, working together, is going to be the turning point when we can finally say enough is enough.”

UH Hilo receives $15M for capital improvements Star-Advertiser Kyveli Diener (Hawaii Tribune-Herald) November 11, 2025 Original Article The University of Hawaii at Hilo received $15 million in capital improvement funding that will allow the school to begin maintenance, design and renovation projects for the campus. The release of the capital improvement project funding from Gov. Josh Green’s office was announced last week by state Sen. Lorraine Inouye who said the funds “will support upgrades to university facilities to better serve students, faculty, and the wider Hawaii Island community.” “Investments like this strengthen our educational infrastructure and ensure our students have access to a modern, high-quality learning environment,” Inouye said in a news release. UH Hilo Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs Kalei Rapoza said a funding request for the CIP funds was approved by the Board of Regents and submitted to the governor’s office for inclusion in the biennium budget request to the Legislature. He said the funding enables the university to “move forward with procurement for design and construction” on four important projects that were “added to our list of projects within the last three years, superseding less critical projects.” “We are grateful for the support from the governor and Legislature that will allow us to better serve our students through improved facilities,” said UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin. Rapoza said the projects selected for the fiscal year 2026 funding are renovation and improvement of the air-conditioning systems, renovation and improvement of the agricultural facility to provide modern instruction, designing renovations and upgrades to student housing, and designing a “replacement of built-up roofing.” “Addressing deferred maintenance early proactively allows repairs to be completed efficiently, preventing relatively simple issues from escalating and avoiding higher costs and impacts to operations,” Rapoza said. “By prioritizing maintenance investment now in critical areas, operations are safeguarded against disruptive outages, minimizing downtime and protecting critical assets.” Rapoza said he expects contracts for the work to be in place by spring 2026 to allow construction to begin in 2027.

About the Hawaiʻi Senate Majority Caucus ABOUT THE SENATE There are 25 members of the Hawaiʻi State Senate. Senators are elected to serve staggered four-year terms and are not subject to term limits. The presiding officer of the Senate is the Senate President. Other officers of the Senate include the Vice President, Majority Leader, Majority Caucus Leader, Majority Floor Leader/Whip, Majority Whip, and Assistant Majority Whip. The officers of the Senate are elected by a majority vote of the Senate members. The Hawaiʻi Senate Majority consists of 22 Democrats for the Thirty-Third Legislature, which convened on January 21, 2026 and adjourned Sine Die on May 8th, 2026.

City, state closer to condemning Wahiawa property known for illegal activity Hawaii News Now Lynn Kawano August 27, 2025 Original Article HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A homeless man was killed Sunday after being attacked by a pack of dogs at an encampment in Wahiawa. The property at 525 Avocado Street overlooks Lake Wilson. It has been a source of community outrage, and lawmakers were already moving to condemn the lot and demolish the two, hollowed-out structures and container on site. “It’s been neglected for years and years,” said Peter Schmall. “I’ve lived in Wahiawa for 20 years and it’s been a constant problem.” The property is near a busy intersection with Kamehameha Highway and is a visible nuisance. When Hawaii News Now was at the location, multiple people were inside and started boarding up the windows. The unidentified man who was mauled by his five dogs this week was treated and transported to a hospital by Honolulu Emergency Medical Services, but died from his injuries. In 2020, police raided the place and said it housed a game room. A city council resolution to demolish the structures is moving forward and will be before the full council in September. The state has also been working to condemn the property. “It’s a public safety concern,” said state Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, who represents the area. The state wants to eventually use the property as a substation for the Department of Land and Natural Resources because it is along the lake. “In 2023, we added over $1 million in capital improvement money so we could purchase the property,” Dela Cruz said. According to the lawmaker, the state has been trying to work with the landowner so that it could be sold. But Dela Cruz said the owner has refused, “which is why we’re going on the condemnation route.” City Council member Matt Weyer, who represents parts of Wahiawa, said the city has also “struggled” with communication. “That’s really the concern, that the land owner isn’t being responsive enough,” he said. County records list Yiu Wai Lam as the at-will manager. That is the same name as the person arrested on the property during the game room raid. His current address is a home in Kalihi Valley. Hawaii News Now went to the home, but no one answered and a neighbor said they were not home. Weyer said the city and state are working together to get the property cleared for use by both agencies. “The demolition of these structures is really the first step in moving forward,” he said. The Hawaiian Humane Society took the dogs involved in the fatal attack this week. “The Honolulu Police Department called our teams and asked for assistance,” said Brandy Shimabukuro, the agency’s communications manager. “Three of the dogs, when they were brought into our care, could not be safely handled by our staff and that posed an immediate public safety risk, so we had to move forward with a humane euthanasia,” she said. Shimabukuro said that is necessary because the agency cannot adopt out a dangerous animal. The other two dogs are still being evaluated.

City, state respond to deadly explosion in Salt Lake Star Advertiser Victoria Budiono January 2, 2025 Original Article GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM Gov. Josh Green, flanked by Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Police Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan and Fire Chief Sheldon Hao, spoke at an HPD press conference regarding the deaths and injuries suffered earlier on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 on Keaka Drive following a massive fireworks explosion. The call for stricter fireworks laws was immediate in the aftermath of the deadly New Year’s tragedy at 4137 Keaka Drive in Aliamanu. Starting at the top with Gov. Josh Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, lawmakers and other leaders are again demanding to get a handle on contraband fireworks that each year create massive, illegal blasts that light up the skies in nearly every neighborhood on Oahu. “Right now, people are taking terrible risks with other family members and the community,” Green said at a news conference Wednesday, while also expressing condolences to the loved ones of the victims and imploring residents to prioritize safety. “Soon, you’ll probably be taking a risk with your own freedom,” Green warned. “I don’t think anybody should want to go to jail for five years or pay tens of thousands of dollars of fines.” In addition to the tragedy that killed three women and injured dozens of others in Aliamanu, a 19-year-old man suffered fatal injuries in a separate fireworks-related incident Tuesday night in Kalihi amid dozens of other reported injuries. As the toll climbed Wednesday, authorities turned their focus to tougher enforcement and stiffer penalties. State law establishes times during certain holiday periods — New Year’s, Lunar New Year and the Fourth of July — and other restrictions for the legal use of consumer fireworks such as sparklers and fountains but also allows the counties to set their own stricter rules. Since Jan. 2, 2011, consumer fireworks have been banned on Oahu. State law also prohibits possession of aerial devices, display fireworks or other pyrotechnic articles without a valid license. Unauthorized possession or use of fireworks is a Class C felony carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Despite these regulations, fireworks are often set off in residential areas throughout the year, particularly during the holiday season from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. According to Honolulu Police Department Chief Joe Logan, a preliminary review of surveillance footage, witness statements and other evidence from the fatal blast suggests that shortly after midnight, a party attendee lit an aerial fireworks “cake” containing multiple smaller fireworks packed in a box in the driveway near the carport of the home. When lit, the cakes fire a series of fireworks into the air in quick succession, creating a display of colorful explosions. In this case, the cake tipped over, causing an aerial firework to ignite two nearby crates containing additional fireworks, triggering a massive and deadly explosion. Blangiardi expressed his anger and frustration with the fireworks-related deaths and injuries, saying, “No one should have to endure such pain due to reckless and illegal activity. This incident is a painful reminder of the danger posed by illegal fireworks. ‘They put lives at risk, they drain our first responders, and they disrupt our neighborhoods. But most heartbreakingly, this tragedy was entirely preventable. New Year’s Eve should be a time of joy, not danger. Yet the growing prevalence of illegal fireworks on our island has turned it into a night of risk and devastation. Year after year, this threat persists, and it must stop.” Blangiardi said he is committed to taking decisive action on illegal fireworks for the sake of public safety. “We will coordinate with federal and state agencies to strengthen law enforcement, impose tougher penalties, explore new technologies because they exist, and implement a united effort to stop the import of illegal fireworks into our harbors and airports,” he said. The state’s Illegal Fireworks Task Force established under Green in 2023 has reported seizing large quantities of illegal fireworks, and its efforts include intercepting shipments of illegal fireworks, often from overseas, and disrupting the supply chain. In its first year, a total of approximately 93.5 tons of illegal fireworks was confiscated, followed by more than 20 tons in 2024. In early December 2023, the task force said it seized about 16 tons of fireworks from a shipping container, primarily containing aerials. Later that month, it confiscated an additional 17 tons from another container. Just before New Year’s Day a year ago, the task force reported making another significant seizure, confiscating 17.5 tons of illegal fireworks during a routine inspection. Illegal fireworks, however, continue to filter in to Hawaii. “Aerial fireworks are a part of our culture,” said state Rep. Gregg Takayama (D, Waiau-Pearl City-Pacific Palisades). “But we have to recognize that they’re also illegal, and that they’re illegal for a reason: They can be dangerous.” Takayama introduced House Bill 2193 that became Act 208, which strengthened Hawaii’s Fireworks Control Law by increasing the authority of the Illegal Fireworks Task Force. He emphasized the need for continued efforts, particularly targeting large-scale offenders. He also called for increased funding for the task force. State Sen. Glenn Wakai, who represents the Salt Lake area where deadly explosion occurred, said the carnage was preventable and urged the community to recognize the risks. “It was more than an accident. An accident would be one of those rockets going off. I mean, these guys had a stash of stuff there,” Wakai said. “So, sure, it was not meant to go off that way. But they had full intention of shooting off way more than they could possibly handle.” He noted that after decades of legislative action, the issue remains a significant problem and the community needs to recognize the problem and say “enough is enough.” However, Wakai said he isn’t confident about seeing meaningful change. “Obviously, (the seizure) wasn’t enough, and I don’t really know what it’s going to take for us as a community to wake up in the new year to see that shooting aerial fireworks is not the right way to bring in a new year. It’s the most tragic way to usher in a new year,” he said. Jordan Lowe, director of the state Department of Law Enforcement, said the seizures by the task force are still under investigation, and fireworks smugglers — and buyers — could face prosecution. “It’s very frustrating, and when you look at this group of criminals who import illegal fireworks with no regard for the community or the safety of the public just to make a profit … like I said, it’s very frustrating, very discouraging,” he said. Fireworks have long been a tradition in Hawaii, rooted in Chinese culture and local celebrations. “It is cultural. We all understand that. But I think we need to start working with the public more in terms of education, because it is dangerous,” Lowe said. “We just saw what happened. And even in the past, regularly, in Hawaii, at least one individual would die as a result of a fireworks mishap. It’s been pretty regular that you might have a house burn down because of a mishap with fireworks, an accident with fireworks. “We don’t deserve that. The public doesn’t deserve that.”

Charity dinner raises $50K for mediation center Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald Staff December 5, 2024 Original Article At the 2024 Annual Recognition Dinner & Auction on Nov. 17, Jennifer Zelko-Schlueter was awarded the “Peacemaker Award” by Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center, and Judge M. Kanani Laubach was awarded the “Meritorious Service Award” by the Hawaii County Bar Association. “What a great evening celebrating two very deserving wahine,” Ku‘kahi Executive Director Julie Mitchell said in a press release. “Mahalo to all who contributed of their time, talents and treasures to make this fundraiser the most successful ever!” The event raised $50,000 for the center. “We truly appreciate our honorees, sponsors, ticket buyers, auction bidders, guests, cash and in-kind event donors, auction donors, emcee, introducers, musician, sound operator, special event committee, event volunteers, board and staff,” Mitchell said. The annual dinner and auction provides a significant portion of the funds that Ku‘ikahi needs to provide free and low-cost dispute prevention and resolution services in East Hawaii and beyond. To make a year-end charitable gift to support this local non-profit community mediation center, please visit: https://hawaiimediation.org/donate/.

State leaders announce digitization of Plants and Animals Declaration Form Maui Now February 24, 2025 Original Article State leaders today announced the launch of “Akamai Arrival,” a pilot program that will digitize Hawaiʻi’s Plants and Animals Declaration Form, streamlining the process for travelers arriving in the islands. The initiative, authorized under Act 196 (2024), marks a significant step toward modernizing Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity efforts, by improving form completion rates and strengthening protections against invasive species. Beginning March 1, 2025, the pilot program under the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA) will roll out on select domestic flights in partnership with major airlines, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. Participating airlines will integrate the digital form into their arrival processes, giving passengers a more efficient way to submit required agricultural declarations before landing in Hawaiʻi. “Protecting Hawaiʻi’s unique environment from invasive species is critical to our way of life, our economy, and our future. The ‘Akamai Arrival’ program is a forward-thinking approach that modernizes our biosecurity efforts while making it easier for travelers to comply with our agricultural protections. This initiative is another step toward preserving our islands for generations to come,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D. This concerted effort to modernize and adapt technology is an important step to further protect Hawaiʻi’s natural heritage. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, together with legislators, HDOA, airline partners, and stakeholders, developed the digital agriculture form pilot program. “This is what government should be doing — utilizing technology to improve our state processes and better serve the public. Every one of us, whether coming home or traveling to Hawaiʻi, is very familiar with filling out the paper agriculture form. By digitizing this form, we’re making compliance easier for travelers while using technology to protect what makes Hawaiʻi so special,” said Luke. Airlines participating in the pilot have discretion over flight selection and implementation methods. The ʻAkamai Arrival’ website will serve as a hub for passengers, providing access to the digital form, flight information and an FAQ page to assist travelers. “US airlines play a critical role in connecting travelers to Hawaiʻi, and the transition from paper to digital agriculture declaration forms is a significant step toward modernizing the travel experience. We’re proud to support the Akamai Arrival program, making the arrival process more seamless and efficient for travelers,” said Sean Williams, Airlines for America vice president of State and Local Government Affairs. “The Department of Agriculture has been addicted to paper for nearly 60 years. Five years ago, I advocated for the digitization of the declaration form, but was met with resistance. Lawmakers had to pass a law last year to encourage the migration from paper to an app,” said Sen. Glenn Wakai, who chairs the Senate Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs. “The ʻAkamai Arrival’ program will inform passengers about what’s not acceptable to bring to Hawaiʻi BEFORE they board the plane, rather than when they’re scrambling for a pen over the Pacific.” “Enhancing our state’s biosecurity efforts and protecting our islands from invasive species requires modern solutions, and the implementation of a digital form is long overdue,” said Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa, chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems. “I appreciate the collaboration among stakeholders to streamline the screening process and strengthen our state’s ability to ensure safe arrivals.” The pilot program will run from March 1 through May 31, 2025. Monthly progress updates will be shared with participating airlines and data collected will help determine potential expansions of the program in the future. For more information about the digital declaration form and the Akamai Arrival initiative, visit: https://akamaiarrival.hawaii.gov/

Hawaii Filipino Caucus to be honored with “Guardians of Immigrant Justice” award Hawaii News Now Annalisa Burgos April 5, 2025 Original Article HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Legal Clinic (TLC) is honoring immigrant rights champions at its annual benefit event this Thursday. The nonprofit provides free, quality legal services, education and advocacy to ensure justice for low-income immigrants and migrants in Hawaii. Among this year’s “Guardians of Immigrant Justice Award” honorees are the co-chairs of the Filipino Caucus of the State Legislature, state Sen. Henry Aquino and Rep. Greggor Ilagan. The lawmakers joined HNN’s Sunrise to talk about their work. Founded in 1998, the caucus has secured funding to support Hawaii’s Filipino community and other underserved groups, expanding language access and other services. This session, they worked on a number of bills to offset the negative impact of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, such as offering legal representation for those in immigration-related proceedings in immigration court, including deportation defense, asylum applications, and other migration relief processes. Due to federal funding cuts and other state priorities, none of the caucus’ proposals passed this session. Yet, they said the need is great amid increased U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, mass deportations, and penalizing policies that separate families. TLC Executive Director Bettina Mok said they have been working on a U Visa resolution for undocumented victims of crime to get police certification of cooperation with police, so they can eventually qualify for green card application. TLC is also honoring the late immigration attorney Clare Hanusz in memoriam. Immigration attorney Danicole Ramos will receive the inaugural Clare Hanusz Award for Emerging Leaders in Immigrant Justice. The pau hana benefit takes place on April 10 at Cafe Julia from 5-7 p.m Ticket information can be found here. Funds raised will help TLC provide free immigration legal services and advocate for fair immigration policies. Donations can be sent here. Past awardees include: 2024: UNITE HERE! Local 5, Dina Shek of Medical Legal Partnership, & Terrina Wong of Pacific Gateway Center. 2023: Amefil “Amy” Agbayani. 2022: John Robert Egan, The Honorable Mazie K. Hirono, & KNDI Radio 1270 AM. 2021: Esther Arinaga, William Hoshijo, & Patricia McManaman. Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

Hawaii Senate Bill Would Create New Top Tax Bracket Law360 Jaqueline McCool January 28, 2025 Original Article Hawaii would create a new income tax bracket to impose a higher rate on joint income over $1.9 million beginning in 2030 under a bill that passed first reading in the...

Working group set to meet to discuss bringing nuclear energy to Hawaii KHON2 Stephen Florino July 23, 2025 Original Article HONOLULU (KHON2) — Nuclear power is long known for its destructive power and potential health risks. But it’s also a source of energy. And there is a working group set to meet later this year to discuss bringing it to Hawaii. The cost of keeping the lights on in Hawaii is high. “We spend more than 4 times the national average for our utility bills,” said Sen. Glenn Wakai, who serves as the chair of the Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. “And we have so much solar and wind on the grid and we know that sometimes Mother Nature doesn’t play to our desires.” As part of the state’s goal to reach 100-percent renewable energy by 2045, lawmakers passed a resolution this session to form a working group to talk about bringing nuclear energy to Hawaii – even though the technology still isn’t ready. “I’m a believer that if the science is going this way, the policy should be meeting it at a certain point rather than the science having ready for consumer use, and then we figuring out the policy,” Wakai said. Some say this is not the nuclear energy of decades past – like Fukushima or three-mile island. “It’s having conversations, but it is wasting public time and money to explore something that common sense, if you know anything about this industry, says is just not even a good idea,” said Mike Ewall, Energy Justice Network. Technology is better and small modular reactors, or SMR’s, could work in Hawaii. But others mention nuclear waste, costs – which at this time are not known – and the health risks. “They can and do lead to increases in breast cancer, leukemia, birth defects, infant mortality, those types of problems,” Ewall said. “We need a better option and nuclear has the potential to provide some of that base load,” said Monique Zanfes, Hawaii Energy Office Efficiency and Renewable Energy managing director. “It is a firm source of energy, but right now the technology, again, is just, it’s too nascent.” Even if this working group was in favor of bringing nuclear to Hawaii, there’s one big problem – nuclear is actually illegal here per our state constitution. So to change it, it would need to be approved by both two-thirds of the State House and two-thirds of the State Senate. The working group is scheduled to convene in September and have a report ready for lawmakers before next session. “Ultimately, we have to keep the lights on and we have to do it at a reasonable cost and we keep all options on the table,” said Zanfes.