Transcript Highlights:

• T<00:14:39.519> including<00:14:40.000> two<00:14:40.240> in<00:14:40.399> Hilo
• <00:14:40.959> and<00:14:41.160> two<00:14:41.440> in T including two in Hilo
• and two in T including two in Hilo and two in Maui<00:14:43.759> uh<00:14:43.920> before
• uh this position support the Hilo uh this position support the administration<00:20:49.960> and
• That will be a huge benefit to places like Hilo and Kona and my Memorial as well.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance held an informational briefing with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations on its budget, staffing, and operations. The director reviewed department leadership and reported on recruitment and retention efforts, including a 14% vacancy rate, a 10.5% workforce increase from filling 189 positions, and the Hela Imua internship program, which has placed 516 interns since inception and led to 62 permanent hires. The department also described modernization efforts, including the UI Huakai project and the Disability Compensation Division’s electronic case management system, and said the unemployment compensation trust fund exceeded $71.5 million, triggering Schedule C for calendar year 2025. The department’s main budget requests included $2.9 million for fiscal year 2026 to support maintenance and operations of the electronic case management system, plus restoration of two enforcement specialist positions. Officials said those positions are needed to address a decline in investigators from 11 to six since 2009, improve compliance, and handle Hawaii Compliance Express certificate work. Additional requests included two human resources specialists to address recruitment backlogs, two labor enforcement specialists to reduce a backlog of Chapter 104 prevailing wage and wage cases, and two positions for the Office of Community Services to expand immigrant services and access centers. The department also discussed federal funding for unemployment insurance and workforce programs, including National Dislocated Worker Grants and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds, and said some funding is received in increments and may require extensions. Members asked about Kauai inspection coverage, federal funding uncertainty, the size of the special unemployment insurance fund, and whether the department could ramp up staffing during a future crisis. Officials said Kauai is currently served by inspectors from Honolulu and there are no plans to open a permanent island position because of staffing constraints. They said the department is meeting federal guidelines and is not in jeopardy, and that the special unemployment insurance fund has about $10 million, with current UI operations funded at a little over $15 million, meaning the fund may need to cover roughly $5 million if federal support declines. The director said the department would use the special fund to supplement shortfalls, but noted that federal funding cuts and the loss of ARPA support have already affected operations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chancellor manette Benham uh Hilo Chancellor manette Benham uh Hilo Chancellor<00:11:18.920>
• And then for Hilo, I mentioned...
• And then at Hilo, $15 million each year for RIM projects.
• And then at Hilo, $15 million each year for RIM projects.
• of Coast but it is part of the Hilo of Coast but it is part of the Hilo complex<05:35:07.798>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee held an informational briefing with the University of Hawaiʻi, led by new President Wendy Hensel and Vice President for Budget and Finance Calbert Young. Hensel outlined the university system’s scope, student demographics, research activity, and campus missions, emphasizing four strategic priorities: serving Native Hawaiians and Hawaiʻi, student success, workforce development, and economic diversification through innovation and research. She highlighted the system’s enrollment, research funding, and the roles of Mānoa, Hilo, West Oʻahu, the community colleges, and specialized institutions such as JABSOM and the Cancer Center. Young then reviewed the budget request, focusing largely on making prior one-time appropriations permanent and supporting recurring needs. Items included funding for Mānoa athletics, the Hawaiʻi Institute for Marine Biology, K-12 teacher education, Pamantasan Council support, Hilo programs, Windward’s mental health technician certificate, Maui’s practical nursing bridge program, and student support positions such as financial aid and admissions counselors. He also described workforce-related requests tied to nursing expansion at Mānoa and West Oʻahu, as well as facilities support at West Oʻahu. A major portion of the testimony addressed the university’s two Kakaʻako medical facilities. Young explained that declining tobacco settlement and cigarette tax revenues are no longer sufficient to cover debt service for JABSOM and the Cancer Center, so the governor’s budget includes general fund support to supplement those obligations. He also described a regents-approved request not included in the governor’s proposal: expanding the Hawaiʻi Promise financial aid program to the four-year campuses, estimated at about $11–12 million. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Question for Hilo.
• Question for Hilo.
• Thank you, Chair. question for Hilo. Thank you, Chair. question for Hilo.
• Stay stay there, Hilo. Stay stay there, Hilo.
• Hilo needs to catch up.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dole Middle School, Enchanted Lakes Elementary School, Fern Elementary School, Hawaii Tech Academy, Hilo
• :29:08.559> Hawaii<00:29:09.039> Tech<00:29:09.480> Academy,<00:29:10.480> Hilo
• <00:29:10.960> High School, Hawaii Tech Academy, Hilo High School, Hawaii Tech Academy, Hilo
• Today I have the great honor of introducing our pharmarmacology students from Hilo from the Daniel Kinoi
• pharmarmacology students from uh Hilo pharmarmacology students from uh Hilo from<00:31:54.000>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This would be the first community center in Hilo on the Big Island.
• This request is not a want; it's a need for Hilo.
• Uh, next, Hilo Bayfront Trails...
• Uh, next, Hilo Bayfront Trails... ...we look forward to working with you.
• forward to working with you uh next Hilo forward to working with you uh next Hilo Bayfront<04:54

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know in Hilo that's a popular program and seems to be pretty successful.
• your Youth Challenge I know in Hilo your Youth Challenge I know in Hilo that's<00:20:03.720>
• Our next graduation for the Hilo campus will be in June of 2025.
• So then I gave all the neighbor islands to Hilo. Oahu was for K?lauea Youth Challenge.
• <00:23:17.720> new the neighbor Islands to Hilo new the neighbor Islands to Hilo new challenge

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance held informational briefings first with the Department of Defense on its FY 2026 budget request, then with the Hawaii School Facilities Authority. Major General Steve Logan outlined the Department of Defense request for $40.5 million in state funds, which he said would leverage about $74 million in federal matching funds and support 411 open projects that could attract up to $2.3 billion in additional federal grant money. He said the budget focuses on sustainment, safety, and reorganization in light of lessons from the Maui wildfires. Key requests included $1.3 million to sustain IT systems, $2.7 million for 32 HEMA emergency management positions, three new Hawaii Army National Guard positions plus four upgrades, and $1.9 million for the Youth Challenge Program to cover state-mandated fringe costs and staffing needs. He also reviewed capital improvement projects, including Youth Challenge facility upgrades, siren modernization, ADA improvements, building retrofits for disaster resilience, Army facility upgrades, a third state veterans home on Maui, HEMA EOC improvements, and a maintenance/fuel building at Diamond Head. Members asked about the siren modernization timeline, and HEMA said roughly 26 to 31 sirens would be modernized this year, with 15 on Maui, eight on Oahu, and eight on the Big Island. Questions also focused on Youth Challenge and Job Challenge enrollment and vacancies, with the department saying the Hilo Job Challenge Academy is growing and that combining Youth Challenge recruiting statewide into one Kilauea program has helped enrollment. Logan also answered questions about the New Year’s Eve medical transport mission, explaining the Hawaii Air National Guard’s relationship with active-duty Air Force assets and saying the flight cost is about $20,000 per flight hour, though the final bill had not yet been determined. On the Maui veterans home, staff said the University of Hawaii site was no longer viable after faculty senate opposition, so the department is now focused on a 10-acre Puna District site; the project remains tied to a certified $35 million state match and August 2025 and August 2026 federal suspense dates. Logan said the veterans home remains one of the department’s highest priorities, but it could not be moved higher in the submitted CIP ranking. The department also discussed a Governor’s add-on for a fire marshal/Office of Recovery and Resiliency proposal. Logan said the fire marshal position was reestablished last session but has not yet been filled, and that if the function is transferred to the Department of Defense, the department wants funding ready to move quickly. Staff later said the request would include about $1.1 million for seven positions and about $2.2 million for operating costs, though details were still preliminary. The committee then reconvened for the School Facilities Authority briefing, where Executive Director Ricky Fujitani described the agency as a startup created in 2020 to improve school and workforce housing development through standardized designs, prefabrication, best-value procurement, and public-private partnerships. He said Hawaii’s single school district still functions like 15 different districts because of its 264 schools across 15 complex areas, and that the authority’s goal is to create more efficient, maintainable, and cost-effective facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• DLNR is next at 12. from Ewa to Hilo, um, from Ewa to Hilo, um, table<01:36:38.160> 15,<01:36:
• Hilo in such dismay. No, no, no, no. Hilo in such dismay. No, no, no, no.
• Land vacant Uncle Billy's Hotel in Hilo.
• Kawainui Makai District in South Hilo. Kawainui Makai District in South Hilo.
• about the Hilo about the Hilo the<03:46:52.640> archives<03:46:53.400> and<03:46:53.800

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We should be exporting out of Hilo. We should be exporting out of Hilo.
• into the Hilo into the Hilo center. center. center.
• Because and we're already to Hilo.
• Okay, it says Hilo. It says Hilo. Apologies for that.
• Okay, it says Hilo. It says Hilo. Apologies for that. Okay, next.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Patrick Guian, director of athletics at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.
• at Hilo Department of Athletics<00:14:31.600> in<00:14:31.839> support<00:14:32.160>
• Uh, nice to join join Hawaii at Hilo. Uh, nice to join join you<00:14:47.279> virtually.
• Um, so, uh, Hilo competes at Division II. Uh, Manoa competes at Division I. something?
• Um, so uh Hilo competes at something? Um, so uh Hilo competes at division<00:33:27.519> 2.

Bills: HB2384

Keywords: student-athletes, compensation, name image likeness, NCAA, Title IX, transparency, education, Hawaii, athletic programs, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees heard HB 2384, relating to student athlete compensation, with testimony largely in support from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Athletics, and several other supporters. UH Mānoa said the bill would create a framework for name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies, including education, financial literacy, agent regulation, transparency, and reporting. Supporters argued NIL is now a necessary part of college athletics to recruit and retain athletes, keep Hawaiʻi talent in-state, and remain competitive, while also helping student athletes develop as future leaders. One supporter also emphasized the need for financial guidance so young athletes do not mishandle NIL income. Committee members questioned why the bill would direct public funds to NIL payments rather than broader athletic operations or other student groups, whether other states are funding NIL directly, and whether the approach could create a bidding war. UH representatives said the university already has NIL contracts in place, but the bill would strengthen and formalize policies. They said the requested funding model includes about $5 million for NIL and $10 million for athletics operations, with the NIL amount intended to supplement private fundraising; they also noted UH has raised roughly $1.5 million to $2 million for NIL since July 1 and is targeting $3 million this fiscal year. Members also raised concerns about fairness, public spending priorities, and whether the university’s policies adequately protect student athletes. The committees voted to pass HB 2384 HD1 with amendments. The chair said the bill should be amended to explicitly state that allocated funds may be used by UH for NIL payments to student athletes, and asked the next committee to examine whether a different payment scheme, similar to those used elsewhere, might be more appropriate for public funds. One member announced a no vote, citing concerns about direct public funding of NIL and unequal treatment of student athletes versus other students. The JHA committee adopted the same recommendation, with some members voting with reservations. Afterward, the meeting moved on to HB 644 HD1 on single-use plastics, where the first testimony was in opposition from the Hawaii Food Industry Association and the Biodegradable Products Institute, both arguing the bill as drafted would improperly exclude certified compostable products and should better align with composting and certification standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've had a wide variety of assignments across the Big Island, from being a patrol officer in South Hilo
• I'm a Hilo boy. I grew up in Honomu. I'm a graduate of St.
• ><00:07:35.039> a Responders in a time of Crisis I'm a Responders in a time of Crisis I'm a Hilo
• boy I grew up in honomu I'm a Hilo boy I grew up in honomu I'm a graduate<00:07:37.400> of<00
• district one representative North Hilo district one representative North Hilo hakua<00:15:21.519

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and discussed three nominations to the 911 Board: Matthew Kurara (Governor’s Message 505), Re Mahuna (Governor’s Message 614), and Rebecca Liberman/Weberman (Governor’s Message 661). Kurara, a Honolulu Police Department communications captain, said he would bring PSAP and dispatch experience to the board, with a focus on Next Generation 911, better coordination among PSAPs, and recruiting and retaining telecommunicators. Mahuna, a longtime Hawaiʻi Police Department officer and current board member, emphasized his emergency-response experience during disasters on the Big Island and his support for improving communication through Next Generation 911, including the new joint call center on Hawaiʻi Island. Liberman, the board’s VoIP representative and a Charter/Spectrum government affairs director, said she was continuing her second term and would keep working on legislative and government issues, including the statutory change removing “enhanced” from the board’s name to better support Next Gen efforts. Members asked each nominee about rural coverage, redundancy, training, broadband, radio-system limitations, and how Next Generation 911 would affect service in places like Puna and other rural areas. The nominees generally said the system is designed with redundancy so service would revert to backup systems if new technology fails, and that the main challenges in rural areas are often broader communications or radio issues rather than 911 itself. Kurara and Mahuna both said each PSAP currently handles much of its own training, though there is interest in more standardization and national best practices. Liberman explained that VoIP calls generally work over the internet and may benefit from Next Gen, but that location/address issues for some internet-based calling services may still need further review. The committee also discussed public education about text-to-911, the use of technologies such as FirstNet, and whether the E911 special fund ceiling needed to be raised again. Mahuna said he did not see a current need to raise the ceiling further. Written testimony was received in support of all three nominees, including support from public officials, law enforcement, county agencies, and private individuals. No opposition testimony was noted, and the chair said decisions would be made later with the other nominees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, the Supreme Court established a pilot project in Hilo where legal aid paralegals, working
• where<00:34:08.079> legal<00:34:08.399> aid<00:34:08.679> paralal project in Hilo
• where legal aid paralal project in Hilo where legal aid paralal legals<00:34:10.399> working<
• on<00:46:06.839> Maui<00:46:07.359> and<00:46:07.520> in<00:46:07.720> Hilo
• school students on Maui and in Hilo school students on Maui and in Hilo plans<00:46:08.960> are

Keywords: State of the Judiciary Address by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She is an Oahu resident, but she did graduate from Hilo, and she majored in Hawaiian geography and Hawaiian
• 01:53.280> uh resident, but she did graduate from uh resident, but she did graduate from uh Hilo
• 55.840> uh<00:01:56.079> majored<00:01:56.560> in<00:01:56.799> Hawaiian Hilo
• and she uh majored in Hawaiian Hilo and she uh majored in Hawaiian geography<00:01:58.079> and

Bills: SB2169, SB2263, SB2360, SB2359, SB2031, SB2796, SB3090, SB3091, SB3092, SB2120, SB2593, SB2751, SB2135, SB2024, SB2872, SB3179, SB2308, SB2392, SB2470, SB2398, SB2902, SB2841, SB2436, SB2806, SB2691, SB2824, SB2645, SB2384, SB2697, SB3153, SB3156, SB888, SB2423, SB2746

Keywords: business competitiveness, economic development, DBEDT, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, business climate, regulatory reform, permitting, economic ranking, state ranking, top 10 states, business climate improvement working group, business revitalization task force, CNBC America’s Top States for Business, Hawaii business climate, workforce development, infrastructure, cost of doing business, tax competitiveness, labor unions, private sector

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to say that we from the Hawaii Island and in Hilo, Miss Isha Rose Mata has been nominated and
• <00:04:01.599> Island<00:04:02.080> and<00:04:02.319> in<00:04:02.680> Hilo
• ,<00:04:03.680> Miss<00:04:04.159> Isha the Havaii Island and in Hilo, Miss Isha the
• Havaii Island and in Hilo, Miss Isha Rose<00:04:05.519> Mata<00:04:06.400> has<00:04:06.879

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program does that in include uh Hilo program does that in include uh Hilo campus<00:31:29.480>
• It's an amount for Hilo Athletics.
• on Hilo for uh Hilo Athletics um however on this<00:34:48.480> one<00:34:48.720> I<00:
• Number 12 is related to Hilo.
• God, this is that, um, Hilo. That's Hilo. So, so this is a method... Hilo. That's Hilo.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am honored to recognize nurse Karen Oskins, an obstetrics nurse at Hilo Benioff Medical Center.
• I now yield to the senator from District 24. at Hilo Benov Medical Center.
• Please at Hilo Benov Medical Center.
• the senator from district yield to the senator from district [Applause] Mahalo to the senator from Hilo
• Amanda Woo, Vice President of Hawaii Pacific Health, Elena Kabatu, I see Elena over there, um, of Hilo

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the director and co-founder of the Enliven Cooperative in Hilo, and I'm also an active member of
• Was it to Hilo or Kauai or Molokai?
• High or Was it to Hilo or Kawaii High or Monokai?
• Kalani Hilo Wher's Village uh Fairmont Kalani on<00:54:04.240> Maui.
• We get fingerprinted, FBI background check, and the Hilo could do the lab testing for free.

Bills: SB3275, SB3105

Keywords: cannabis, low-dose, personal use, cultivation, cannabis accessories, Hawaii cannabis law, medical cannabis, physician assistant, licensure compact, medical services, interstate practice, healthcare portability, military families, licensing authority, 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection reconsidered two condominium bills and adopted recommendations to pass both with amendments. For SB 2433, members approved amendments clarifying that condominium unit owners’ interests are to be recognized and protected in educational and related programs by the Real Estate Commission and DCCA, while making technical changes and changing the effective date. For SB 2838, the committee replaced the bill’s broader substantive language with a narrower requirement that associations provide electronic copies of specified documents, including master leases, reserve studies, audited financial statements, contracts, leases, and other agreements, along with technical changes and an amended effective date. Both measures were adopted unanimously by the members present, with Senator McKelvey excused. The committee then heard SB 2710 on animal issues, which would define and regulate dog breeders, set care standards, create county licensing authority, require records, and establish an animal abuser registry and related penalties. Testimony was mixed: the Public Defender and the American Kennel Club opposed the bill, arguing for stronger enforcement of existing laws rather than harsher penalties and warning that the bill would burden responsible breeders; the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill’s breeder regulation and registry provisions but urged removal of the hoarding section; and the committee noted 26 written testimonies in support, 14 in opposition, and four comments. In decision-making, the committee passed SB 2710 with amendments that blanked the license fee, deleted the animal abuser registry and shelter/pet store/breeder compliance checks, struck the hoarding provisions and proposed criminal penalty changes, and made technical changes with a deferred effective date. The committee also heard SB 2209 on rental discrimination, which would allow attorney’s fees to a prevailing party in source-of-income discrimination cases, and SB 2884, which would create a nonrefundable income tax credit for wind-resistant retrofits or hurricane shelters. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission supported SB 2209, and the committee later passed it with a deferred effective date. SB 2884 drew support from DCCA’s Insurance Division, the Department of Taxation, HEMA, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, and a public witness who urged hurricane preparedness; it was passed with the Department of Taxation’s proposed amendments and a deferred effective date. Finally, the committee heard SB 2922 on cooperative associations, which would create a general cooperative associations framework. DCCA offered comments, while the Hawaii Co-op Hui, Purple Maya Foundation, Enliven Cooperative, and Hawaii Farmers Union supported the measure and argued that current law is too limited for worker, producer, and multi-stakeholder co-ops. After discussion about using the existing chapter 421C structure rather than creating a new regulatory scheme, the committee passed SB 2922 with amendments adopting changes proposed in testimony from the Hawaii Farmers Union and deferred the effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in July of 2024, there was a real-world search and rescue, a down Hilo helicopter on the north shore
• So in July of 2024, there was a real-world search and rescue, a down Hilo helicopter on the north shore
• So in July of 2024, there was a real-world search and rescue, a down Hilo helicopter on the north shore
• So in July of 2024, there was a real-world search and rescue, a down Hilo helicopter on the north shore
• real world search and rescue a down Hilo real world search and rescue a down Hilo helicopter<00:

Bills: SB2064, SB2312, SB2811, SB2662, SB2744, SB2809, SB2862, SB2343, SB2336, SB2075, SB2308, SB2601, SB2397, SB2219, SB2849, SB2449, SB2781

Keywords: state architect, construction projects, design approvals, building codes, state agency oversight, government contracts, transparency, record retention, public oversight, Hawaii Revised Statutes, building permits, task force, state-owned lands, construction, regulatory process, government accountability, external consultants, procurement reform, cost efficiency, in-house expertise

Summary: The committee met for decision-making on measures heard earlier in the week and took up a series of government operations, procurement, public records, public meetings, and related bills. Several measures were deferred one week to February 12, 2026, including bills on state construction projects, government accountability, gubernatorial appointments, the legislature, public procurement, and a bill on Hawaiian lei sales, largely so the committee could compare similar measures, address concerns, or integrate related reports. The committee also deferred SB 2449 on public meetings for the year, citing concerns that the proposed business-day definition was overly prescriptive and unnecessary. The committee passed several bills with amendments. These included measures clarifying UIPA applicability to records created or maintained by agencies, with amendments changing “government function” to “agency function” and committee report language noting Attorney General concerns and exempting ERS for now; SB 2811 on state building projects with technical amendments and a delayed effective date; SB 2809 on budget-related reports; SB 2336 on trees, with a Senate draft and removal of “political subdivision”; SB 2308 on small purchase vendor compliance, setting the threshold at $5,000 and adding a delayed effective date; SB 2601 on procurement, reorganizing misdemeanor language and leaving funding/FTE issues to Ways and Means; SB 2219 on a capital visitor center working group; and SB 2849 on public meetings, with technical amendments and a delayed effective date. Bills on neighborhood board concerns and public notice were also adopted, with SB 2929 drawing testimony both for and against. Testimony was generally supportive on procurement and small business measures, especially SB 2928 establishing permanent small business procurement coordinator positions, which drew strong support from the State Procurement Office, DBEDT, the Chamber of Commerce, DOT, the Ethics Commission, and others. On public notice, the County of Maui supported allowing website posting, while another witness raised concerns about accessibility, centralized notice locations, and impacts on kūpuna and people with disabilities. On search and rescue, the committee heard support for creating a statewide coordination structure, along with discussion of where such an office should reside; the Attorney General raised constitutional and placement concerns, while witnesses suggested law enforcement, DLNR, or DoD as possible homes. The committee also heard support for a bill protecting home addresses of covered public servants and candidates, though the Public First Law Center urged broader coverage and a better fit with existing law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, potentially Hilo.
• Um potentially Hilo later point in time.
• Um, so with Hilo Bay expend that money.
• last piece we're looking at for Hilo last piece we're looking at for Hilo airport<03:24:53.920><
• hotels at four of the airports, but Hilo hotels at four of the airports, but Hilo is<03:24:57.920

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Up next via Zoom, we have Chancellor and Dean Ray Matsumoto of the Hilo College of Pharmacy.
• Inouye College of Pharmacy in Hilo by being an intern preceptor site.
• This bill appropriates funds for the Rat lungworm Lab at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
• House Bill 940, relating to the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
• This is the one that appropriates funds for the rat lungworm lab at Hilo.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on January 31 and heard six bills. The chair opened by outlining committee practices, including giving at least 72 hours’ notice for hearings, releasing testimony by 5:00 p.m. the day before hearings, and deferring bills needing substantive HT1 changes so members would not vote “blind.” Members briefly thanked the chair for the transparency approach before moving to the agenda. HB 223 would create a Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy special fund and workforce assessment fee to support a pharmacy center. Testimony from the Board of Pharmacy, the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo College of Pharmacy, Mokai Drugs, and others generally supported the measure, emphasizing workforce data, rural access, student loan repayment, and retention. The committee later advanced HB 223 with amendments, including leaving fee amounts blank for further discussion and inserting a defective date, and the motion passed unanimously. HB 940 would appropriate funds for the rat lungworm lab at UH Hilo; HB 546 would establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute at UH to advance AI; HB 549 would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program; HB 1172 would add the Department of Taxation to the Statewide Longitudinal Data System for wage-data sharing; and HB 1320 would require UH to collect and publicly report graduate outcome data and create a dashboard. Testimony on these bills was largely supportive, with some privacy concerns raised on HB 1172 and a request to protect taxpayer confidentiality. In decision-making, the committee passed all five bills with amendments, generally deleting or blanking appropriations and FTEs for Finance Committee review, adding defective dates for further discussion, and in HB 549 adding a statement that the program is a matter of statewide concern. The committee recessed briefly for decision-making and then adopted the chair’s recommendations on each bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last Friday, our very own Senator from Hilo was recognized by the Hilo High School Foundation as one
• So, congratulations to the Senator from Hilo for that distinguished award. Uh, thank you, Mr.
• In the Senate gallery, joining us from Hilo today and newly confirmed as a member of the Commission on

Bills: SB2876, SB3253, SB2125, SB2781, HB549, HB1768, SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB1515, SB2835, HB2282, SB3083, SB2031, SB2519, SB2667, SB2140, SB2544, SB2069, SB2697, SB874, SB2043, SB888, SB2721, HB2152, HB1334, HB2385, HB1643, HB2314, HB1688, HB1692, SB2568, SB2983, SB2108, SB3136, HB1959, SB3156, HB1511, HB1753, HB1824, HB2137, HB1810, HB2279, HB2309, HB1548, HB2078, HB2293, SB3262, SB2169, SB2607, SB2964, SB3255, HB2576, HB1481, HB1864, HB1550, SB2818, SB3067, SB2061, HB1728, HB1881, HB2361, HB2395, HB1823, SB2050, SB2397, SB2175, SB2852, SB847, SB3001

Keywords: natural hair braiding, hair braiding, braids, braider, braiding license, cosmetology, barbering, barber board, Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, registration, licensure exemption, sanitation training, health and safety, hair extensions, cornrows, twists, locks, protective hairstyles, beauty industry, occupational licensing