#Hawaii Legislature

A quick look at news happening throughout the island, state and nation.

The final version of income tax measure maintains tax cuts passed in 2024 for joint filers earning less than $350,000, heads of household less than $262,500 and single filers less than $175,000, preserving critical financial relief for Hawaiʻi’s working and middle-income households.

The free, family-friendly event is open to the public and celebrates local art, performances and culture; this year’s theme is “Urban Canvases; Culture in Motion.”

The donations collected during 27th drive come at a particularly important time following the two kona lows that slammed into the state during the past 2 weeks and will help support organizations on the front lines responding to increased needs.

“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 Transportation Committee Chairperson Rep. Darius Kila of Oʻahu in a state House release about the measures.

Severe weather also results in shuttering of all state offices and services, schools including University of Hawaiʻi campuses and activities, Hawaiʻi Legislature, state parks, several areas within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and public libraries on the Big Island.

State lawmakers must look inward, however, and ensure the state is living within its means before asking taxpayers to do the same; So while taking this action, they acknowledge revenues are declining as state costs for many programs rise because of action by U.S. Congress.

The package includes five measures to be considered by state lawmakers, targeting issues such as child care, health care and cost-of-living relief.

Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi is launching “Girls in Policy,” a new, innovative program designed to strengthen girls’ civic engagement, leadership and advocacy skills during the 2026 Hawaiʻi Legislative Session.

“Today, we gather with a shared purpose: to do the people’s work with humility, with urgency, and with care,” said Hawaiʻi Speaker of the House Nadine Nakamura of Kauaʻi.

Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission Vice Chairman and Legislative Lead Michael Golojuch Jr. says the enactment of Act 298 as of Jan. 1 “brings Hawaiʻi’s parentage laws into the present and centers the best interests of the keiki, regardless of their parents’ gender, sexual orientation or marital status.”

State lawmakers engage with communities and assess priority projects during several site visits from Dec. 9-11 that provided a glimpse into Hawaiʻi Island’s priorities.

The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. Jan. 23; final determinations about which nonprofit organizations will receive funding will be made as Council on Revenue forecasts in January and March are published.

The governor vetoed bills relating to tax credits, transportation, the state’s Major Disaster Fund, property, stadium facility and convention center naming rights and others. Leadership of the Hawai‘i Legislature said a special legislative session to attempt their override is not necessary.

Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez also officially handed over the responsibility for future wildfire analysis, mitigation and coordination efforts as those duties now belong to the new state fire marshal and Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization.

West Hawai‘i state Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa named majority caucus leader for 2025-26 term; several Big Island lawmakers assigned chairmanships or vice chairmanships of committees.

The new state funds complement a previous private donation of $25 million from Marc and Lynne Benioff, longtime champions of heath care and quality care for all who live on the Big Island. Construction of Keaʻau Benioff Medical Center is estimated to be completed in 2028.

Puna state Sen. Joy San Buenaventura, chairwoman of the state Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, lauds passage of measures supporting some of state’s most at-risk keiki.

After passing its third reading on the floor of the state House of Representatives on Wednesday, the state budget bill, House Bill 300, now goes to the state Senate for its consideration.

The measures — which now move to the full Senate for a final vote before crossing over to the state House — include actions to curb illegal fireworks, increase workforce development opportunities for residents, enhance the health and safety of electric bike users and stabilize the condominium insurance market.