Keiki Caucus presents 2025 bill package, priorities to state legislators

The Keiki Caucus came together last week at the state Capitol in Honolulu to present its 2025 bill package and priorities — all dedicated to improving the lives of Hawaiʻi’s children and families — to the Hawaiʻi Legislature. 

Established in 1994, the Keiki Caucus is a collaboration between state legislators, community leaders and youth-centered organizations partnering together to propose, draft, support and implement policy changes aimed at improving the lives of the state’s youth. 

Big Island state Sen. Joy San Buenaventura and Oʻahu state Reps. Lisa Marten and Ikaika Olds co-convened the caucus.

Legislators identified five top priority issues impacting Hawaiʻi’s youth and families to be tackled during this year’s legislative session:

• Tax credits for household and dependent care services.
• Funding for community schools.
• Paid family leave.
• E-cigarette regulation.
• Universal free school breakfast and lunches.

“During the interim, we collaborated with community advocates to develop proposals that  address top-of-mind issues such as the rising cost of child care, which significantly impacts the cost of living for Hawaiʻi’s keiki and families,” said Marten. “We also identified ways to support our youth in schools,  ensuring they receive a quality education while feeling empowered and supported to succeed.” 

The 2025 Keiki Caucus bill package consists of the following measures:

House Bill 753: Relating to the Household and Dependent Care Services Tax Credit

• Would increase a taxpayer’s applicable percentage of employment-related expenses used  to calculate household and dependent care services tax credit.
• Also would extend the sunset date of the temporary increase in maximum employment-related expenses used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit. 

House Bill 754/Senate Bill 821: Relating to community schools 

• Would appropriate funds to the Hawaiʻi Department of Education for community schools and a program manager position.

House Bill 755/Senate Bill 852: Relating to paid family leave

• Would require the Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program by Jan. 1, 2028, and begin collecting payroll contributions to finance payment of benefits.
• Would require the state Labor Department to start receiving claims and paying benefits under the program by Jan. 1, 2029.
• Also would specify eligibility requirements as well as employee protections under the program.

House Bill 756/Senate Bill 972: Relating to health (E-liquids) 

• Would prohibit the sale of flavored nicotine products and mislabeling of e-liquids as nicotine-free.
• Would establish penalties for violations.
• Would authorize the Hawaiʻi Department of Health to appoint, commission or contract for services of inspectors.
• Also would establish two full-time program specialists and one full-time hearing officer.

House Bill 757: Relating to education 

• Would require the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, beginning during the 2025-26 academic year, to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students enrolled at department schools.

Community advocates from Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Ceeds of Peace, Hawaiʻi Afterschool Alliance, Hawaiʻi Appleseed and Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks! rallied their support for the bills outlined.