2024 Session Achievements
The 2024 session’s priorities were to help Lahaina rebuild and effectively address the increased wildfire risk being experienced by communities across the state. The public wanted the legislature to pass a sensible budget which reduces the cost of living and supports affordable housing, public education, public safety and environmental protection. To address these priority issues effectively, the legislature created a State Fire Marshall, increased penalties for starting wildfires, and funded major improvements in the State’s capacity to prevent and fight wildfires. We also effectively cut the cost-of- living in Hawaii by passing the largest income tax cut in State history and exempting from general excise tax all Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare-funded medical and dental care. To increase more affordable housing, the legislature provided major funding to build more State-sponsored affordable housing projects. The legislature also required Counties to encourage more affordable housing by allowing two additional dwelling units on residential zoned parcels and allowing residential use of commercial property.
Over the past two sessions, I have been very successful in securing significant funding for public construction projects in the district. I led the effort to gain legislative funding to build a new Waikoloa Public Library, expand Kohala Hospital with a new scanner facility and administration building, help build the infrastructure for a new Hamakua Health Center clinic in Kohala, develop a plan for a public parking lot and visitor facility at Pololu Valley Lookout trailhead, strengthen and rebuild the Kawaihae North Small Boat Harbor break water and harbor dock, and significantly expand facilities at the Kawaihae Commercial Harbor. I have also helped to secure significant funding for major road construction projects to build a new Waiaka Bridge and intersection of Kawaihae Road and Kohala Mountain Road, and make major traffic safety improvements in Waimea to improve pedestrian and cycling safety along Kawaihae Road through the center of Waimea Town from Opelo Road to the intersection of Kawaihae Road and Lindsey Road, the intersection of Lindsey Road and Mamalahoa Highway, and along Mamalahoa Highway from Pukalani Road all the way to Kohala Elementary School campus. I also led the effort with my Senate counterpart to secure agreements from the State Department of Transportation, the U.S. Army, and the Congressional delegation to restart the project to build the Saddle Road Extension from the terminus of Daniel K. Inouye Highway at Mamalahoa Highway all the way makai to Queen Kaahumanu Highway. The legislature has effectively restarted the Saddle Road Extension project by approving funding to prepare the project’s federally mandated Final Environmental Impact Statement.
While tourism is our major industry, I support Hawaii Tourism Authority developing destination management plans to better manage tourism, reduce its negative impacts on communities and special places, and diversify the community-based economic benefits of tourism. I work hard to support the expansion of other sectors of our economy including agriculture, astronomy, ocean science and technology, healthcare, and knowledge-based businesses. Because of our district’s major role in astronomy, I have led legislative efforts to prioritize the development of astronomy on Mauna Kea that is environmentally and culturally appropriate.
2023 Session Achievements
The 2023 session successfully addressed the public outrage at two legislators being indicted for taking bribes. The legislature passed twenty of the twenty-eight bills introduced and recommended by the Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct (CISC). The Governor and leading Senators called this session a “banner year” for passing so many good government bills. The CISC Chair acknowledged my work as Chair of the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (JHA) Committee, saying this “remarkable accomplishment” will strengthen State laws to fight public corruption, improve ethics, increase transparency and accountability in the state legislature, reform campaign finance, and better regulate lobbyists. The JHA Committee also led successful legislation to protect women’s reproductive rights, strengthen gun safety laws, and stop the smuggling of illegal aerial fireworks into the State. The legislature also provided major new funding of $600 million to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to buy land and develop housing projects to meet the needs of native Hawaiians on the DHHL waitlist. Since DHHL is the responsibility of the JHA Committee, I helped lead the House oversight committee to ensure DHHL effectively develops this housing.
2022 Session Achievements
As Chair of the House Committee on Water and Land, I led the Committee’s efforts to review, amend, and approve legislation on a range of issues related to Hawai'i's land, water, fisheries, marine resources, boating, forestry, and wildlife. I also continued my work alongside fellow State legislators in my role on the House Committees for Consumer Protection & Commerce and Corrections, Military, and Veterans.
2022 was a critical year, addressing long-standing economic issues and providing unprecedented levels of financial support for our working families, Native Hawaiians, public schools, and kūpuna. We were also able to provide $300 million in tax relief for residents and committed nearly $1 billion to budget reserves to invest in the State's fiscal stability. The 2022 Legislative Session has been deemed by former Governor John Waihe'e a "banner year, a billion-dollar year" for Native Hawaiians. Advocates have recognized the 2022 Legislative Session as groundbreaking for State investments in workers, families, natural resources, and fiscal security.
Here's a summary of the legislation I introduced and supported during the 2022 session:
2021 Session Achievements
Here's a summary of the legislation I introduced and supported during the 2021 session:
Past Session Achievements
The 2024 session’s priorities were to help Lahaina rebuild and effectively address the increased wildfire risk being experienced by communities across the state. The public wanted the legislature to pass a sensible budget which reduces the cost of living and supports affordable housing, public education, public safety and environmental protection. To address these priority issues effectively, the legislature created a State Fire Marshall, increased penalties for starting wildfires, and funded major improvements in the State’s capacity to prevent and fight wildfires. We also effectively cut the cost-of- living in Hawaii by passing the largest income tax cut in State history and exempting from general excise tax all Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare-funded medical and dental care. To increase more affordable housing, the legislature provided major funding to build more State-sponsored affordable housing projects. The legislature also required Counties to encourage more affordable housing by allowing two additional dwelling units on residential zoned parcels and allowing residential use of commercial property.
Over the past two sessions, I have been very successful in securing significant funding for public construction projects in the district. I led the effort to gain legislative funding to build a new Waikoloa Public Library, expand Kohala Hospital with a new scanner facility and administration building, help build the infrastructure for a new Hamakua Health Center clinic in Kohala, develop a plan for a public parking lot and visitor facility at Pololu Valley Lookout trailhead, strengthen and rebuild the Kawaihae North Small Boat Harbor break water and harbor dock, and significantly expand facilities at the Kawaihae Commercial Harbor. I have also helped to secure significant funding for major road construction projects to build a new Waiaka Bridge and intersection of Kawaihae Road and Kohala Mountain Road, and make major traffic safety improvements in Waimea to improve pedestrian and cycling safety along Kawaihae Road through the center of Waimea Town from Opelo Road to the intersection of Kawaihae Road and Lindsey Road, the intersection of Lindsey Road and Mamalahoa Highway, and along Mamalahoa Highway from Pukalani Road all the way to Kohala Elementary School campus. I also led the effort with my Senate counterpart to secure agreements from the State Department of Transportation, the U.S. Army, and the Congressional delegation to restart the project to build the Saddle Road Extension from the terminus of Daniel K. Inouye Highway at Mamalahoa Highway all the way makai to Queen Kaahumanu Highway. The legislature has effectively restarted the Saddle Road Extension project by approving funding to prepare the project’s federally mandated Final Environmental Impact Statement.
While tourism is our major industry, I support Hawaii Tourism Authority developing destination management plans to better manage tourism, reduce its negative impacts on communities and special places, and diversify the community-based economic benefits of tourism. I work hard to support the expansion of other sectors of our economy including agriculture, astronomy, ocean science and technology, healthcare, and knowledge-based businesses. Because of our district’s major role in astronomy, I have led legislative efforts to prioritize the development of astronomy on Mauna Kea that is environmentally and culturally appropriate.
2023 Session Achievements
The 2023 session successfully addressed the public outrage at two legislators being indicted for taking bribes. The legislature passed twenty of the twenty-eight bills introduced and recommended by the Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct (CISC). The Governor and leading Senators called this session a “banner year” for passing so many good government bills. The CISC Chair acknowledged my work as Chair of the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (JHA) Committee, saying this “remarkable accomplishment” will strengthen State laws to fight public corruption, improve ethics, increase transparency and accountability in the state legislature, reform campaign finance, and better regulate lobbyists. The JHA Committee also led successful legislation to protect women’s reproductive rights, strengthen gun safety laws, and stop the smuggling of illegal aerial fireworks into the State. The legislature also provided major new funding of $600 million to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to buy land and develop housing projects to meet the needs of native Hawaiians on the DHHL waitlist. Since DHHL is the responsibility of the JHA Committee, I helped lead the House oversight committee to ensure DHHL effectively develops this housing.
2022 Session Achievements
As Chair of the House Committee on Water and Land, I led the Committee’s efforts to review, amend, and approve legislation on a range of issues related to Hawai'i's land, water, fisheries, marine resources, boating, forestry, and wildlife. I also continued my work alongside fellow State legislators in my role on the House Committees for Consumer Protection & Commerce and Corrections, Military, and Veterans.
2022 was a critical year, addressing long-standing economic issues and providing unprecedented levels of financial support for our working families, Native Hawaiians, public schools, and kūpuna. We were also able to provide $300 million in tax relief for residents and committed nearly $1 billion to budget reserves to invest in the State's fiscal stability. The 2022 Legislative Session has been deemed by former Governor John Waihe'e a "banner year, a billion-dollar year" for Native Hawaiians. Advocates have recognized the 2022 Legislative Session as groundbreaking for State investments in workers, families, natural resources, and fiscal security.
Here's a summary of the legislation I introduced and supported during the 2022 session:
- Established and funded an alternative management framework for Maunakea.
- Supported the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission.
- Exempted traditional instream kalo cultivation from the existing water rights disposition process.
- Allowed counties to transfer development rights to address areas at risk of sea level rise.
- Authorized counties to establish Special Improvement Districts for the purpose of environmental research, restoration, and maintenance; natural resource management; and natural hazard mitigation.
- Increased penalties for violations of aquatic resource laws.
- Provided funds for the restoration of statewide fish aggregation buoys and strengthening the State hatchery program.
- Provided $5 million for the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps to train our keiki in natural resource management, agriculture, and other sustainability-related professions.
- Provided $8 million for watershed protection.
- Expanded the public trails program.
- Established new positions for our State Parks and authorized the Division of State Parks to use funds towards improving and maintaining these facilities.
- Provided funding for the Hawaii Invasive Species Council and targeted efforts to combat Little Fire Ants.
- Funded initiatives to implement ungulate-proof fencing, address agricultural pests, including the two-lined spittle bug and the coffee berry borer, and address the overpopulation of goats and pigs in West Hawaii.
- Enhanced biosecurity programs.
- Provided economic relief to workers and families by making the Earned Income Tax Credit permanent and increasing the minimum wage.
- Appropriated $300 million to build rental housing and an additional $45 million to facilitate the development of infrastructure for affordable housing.
- Advocated for rental assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program.
- Prohibited rental discrimination against recipients of Section 8 housing vouchers and incentivizing landlords to participate in Section 8.
- Tackled healthcare issues by increasing residency and training opportunities for medical professionals, establishing pilot projects for telemedicine efforts and enhancing rural healthcare capacity, and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products.
- Established the State Small Business Credit Initiative which allows Hawaii small businesses to access federal funds.
- Supported local farmers and access to food opportunities by providing $1.5 million in grants for local food hubs and establishing a food safety certification training program to help local farms comply with federal requirements.
- Increased salaries for public school teachers.
- Appropriated $200 million to develop and expand preschool facilities.
- Established programs to improve digital literacy, workforce readiness, and career development.
- Increased funding for the Kupuna Care Program, Aging and Disability Centers in each County, and the Long-term Care Ombudsman program.
- Funded adult dental benefits for all Medicaid patients.
- Extended the driver's license renewal period for kupuna.
- Appropriated $600 million for the Department of Hawaiian Homelands to build more homes, buy more land, and provide rental and mortgage assistance to Native Hawaiians.
- Increased the annual payment of public land revenues to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
- Established goals to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
- Required cost-effective energy savings at State facilities.
- Reinstated a tax credit for renewable fuel production.
2021 Session Achievements
Here's a summary of the legislation I introduced and supported during the 2021 session:
- Administrative reform and capacity building
- Land lease policy reform
- Coastal land management and sea level rise adaptation
- Land management planning and working groups
- Land use approvals
- Resource conservation enforcement
- Licensing and regulating gear and take of species
- Setting mooring fees, ocean tourism fees, managing abandoned vehicles
- Funding for Kawaihae commercial harbor and Kawaihae small boat harbor
- Affordable housing projects
- Transit oriented development
- Agricultural land property management
- Strengthening the Farm to School program and local produce purchasing
- Investment in processing, irrigations, and agricultural lands
- Capacity building for State Parks management
- Funding for Hapuna Beach State Park water system and roadway repairs
- Forestry management
- Protecting native forests and ecosystems
- Supporting our public schools
- Economic diversification and workforce development
- Investing in our public education facilities
- Funding for Waiaka Bridge replacement and highway safety improvements in Waimea
Past Session Achievements
- Ocean safety initiatives - secured funding for four full-time lifeguards at Kua Bay
- Safety and weatherproofing improvements to the STEAM building at Waimea Middle School
- Design and construction of a million-gallon water reservoir in Waimea
- Planning and design for a wastewater collection system at Puako
- Design and construction of a major agriculture water exploratory well in Kohala
- Planning and Design of a parking lot and restroom facility at the Pololu Valley trailhead on land to be donated by Surety Kohala Corporation.
- Funding for a new position with the DLNR Aquatic Resources and the resources to conduct statewide consultation with stakeholders like fishers, divers, and konohiki to support planning for the 30x30 Marine Initiative to achieve effective management of at least 30% of nearshore waters by 2030
- Pursuing $60 million for disaster relief, recovery, mitigation, and remediation activities in Hawaii County in response to the post-eruption devastation
- Funding the Kupuna care program
- Funding programs in suicide prevention, awareness, and intervention
- Requiring the establishment of vehicle fleet energy efficiency program at all public agencies
- Requiring the institution of appliance efficiency standards in the State
- Extending the work of the Cesspool Conversion Working Group and development of a statewide Comprehensive Cesspool Conversion Plan