Video & Transcript Research : 'Native Hawaiian practices'

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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN Public Hearing 03-30-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Hoolehua Hawaiian<00:02:03.200> Civic<00:02:03.440> Club Hawaiian Civic Club Hawaiian
  • :10:29.160> and<00:10:29.560> all extensive practical experience, and all extensive practical
  • <00:12:37.160> the and we want to practice the and we want to practice the environmental<00
  • , you know, and put it into practice, you know, and put it into practice, integrated<00:12:45.320
  • practicing that from years gone by. practicing that from years gone by.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Senate AEN committee heard and considered four gubernatorial nominations. GM 511 was for Harry Purdy III to the Moloka‘i Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board; testimony in support came from DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, and Moloka‘i community members, and Purdy described his long background in Moloka‘i homestead farming and the challenges facing new farmers. GM 676 was for Denise Kuano to the same board; the committee noted support from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and it was reported that Kuano could not testify because of a family emergency. GM 771 was for James Gomes to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity; the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council strongly supported him, citing his long agricultural experience, advocacy, and prior board service, and Gomes emphasized ag crime enforcement, land access, water, and support for farmers and ranchers. GM 772 was for Michelle Lefebvre to the Environmental Advisory Council; the Environmental Advisory Council and OPSD supported her, and Lefebvre discussed her work on the council’s exemptions committee and the need for better public understanding of the environmental review process. Members asked nominees questions about barriers for young homesteaders, ag crime enforcement, prior board service, environmental stewardship, and public engagement in environmental review. Gomes said the biggest challenges include lack of experience for new homesteaders, weak enforcement against ag crimes and drug activity on ranches, and the need for more land and resources for agriculture. Lefebvre said the environmental review process often falls short in public understanding and that comments are not a vote but part of an analytical process. After testimony, the committee reported support counts for each nomination and then voted to recommend advise and consent on all four measures. GM 511, GM 676, GM 771, and GM 772 were each adopted unanimously by the members present, with some members excused. The chair then announced the committee would move on to the next agenda item.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • It only gives them a home to live in, so you're stealing from the Hawaiian community.
  • It only gives them a home to live in, so you're stealing from the Hawaiian community.
  • It only gives them a home to live in, so you're stealing from the Hawaiian community.
  • you're stealing from the Hawaiian you're stealing from the Hawaiian Community<00:29:03.480> you
  • Um, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with comments. HCDA stands on no comments. Thank you.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related measures, with most witnesses supporting bills aimed at expanding affordable housing tools and financing. SB 1169, creating a Community Land Trust Equity pilot program, drew support from HHFDC and Nahal UI, which said revolving funds would help community land trusts build permanently affordable housing more efficiently. SB 1200, establishing a workforce housing regulatory sandbox within HHFDC, also received support from HHFDC and others, though HHFDC noted concerns about whether the measure could be read to preempt county permitting and zoning powers. SB 511, which would require county legislative bodies rather than HHFDC to approve certain housing project exemptions, prompted HHFDC to suggest revised language and a possible processing deadline for applications; the discussion focused on avoiding indefinite delays and clarifying county and state roles. SB 1283, creating an emergency home loan assistance revolving fund, was introduced with comments from the Department of Budget and Finance and HHFDC. SB 612, on rent-to-build equity agreements for exempt housing projects, drew support and questions about how many affected projects are rentals versus for-sale units. SB 944, extending and expanding low-income housing tax credit provisions, received support from Sugar Creek Capital, Hawaii Housing, and the Chamber of Commerce, while the Tax Foundation raised a technical concern about inconsistent use of the term “taxpayer.” HPHA-supported bills SB 1413 and SB 1412 were also heard, along with SB 1632, which would direct DBEDT to develop a comprehensive action plan for a local housing market; testimony on that measure was strongly supportive but included calls to examine constitutional and legal issues and broader market-structure concerns. The committee also began discussion of SB 1033 and noted it was closely related to SB 1131, with the chair indicating an inclination to move only one of the two similar tax proposals forward.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AGR-EEP Joint Public Hearing - Fri Feb 6, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST

Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, as a Hawaiian say, uh, my ohana ma, which means do not disrespect the land.
  • Um, as a Hawaiian say, uh, my ohana ma, which means do not disrespect the land.
  • Um, as a Hawaiian say, uh, my ohana ma, which means do not disrespect the land.
  • But it is important to pause and consider what that truly means in practice.
  • But it is important to pause and consider what that truly means in practice.
Bills: HB1621, HB1880, HB1831
Summary: The joint committees on Agriculture and Food Systems and Energy and Environmental Protection heard three bills. HB 1621 would create a conservation, agriculture, and soil health incentive program under the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, with annual reporting and funding. Testimony was broadly supportive from the Climate Commission, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii Farmers Union, White Alliance for Progressive Action, and the Farm Bureau, and the bill was described as a way to advance soil health and support producers. HB 1880 would prohibit, beginning in 2027, the use of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene (such as Telone). The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity offered written comments, Hawaii Farmers Union supported the ban citing drift and health concerns, and the Farm Bureau opposed it, arguing growers need such tools; the bill also drew discussion about crop rotation and other pest-management practices. HB 1831 would authorize funding to address survey deficiencies and wastewater compliance issues on certain non-agricultural parklands; the Attorney General’s Office warned the bill as written may violate the U.S. Constitution’s contract clause and suggested revisions, while the department and Farm Bureau supported the measure’s intent. The committees later took up decision-making and voted to pass all three measures with amendments, with the effective dates changed to July 1, 3000 and HB 1831 amended to reflect the Attorney General’s suggested changes. The Agriculture and Food Systems committee then heard HB 1572, which would establish a four-year restorative aquaculture development program to streamline permitting, expand infrastructure and workforce capacity, create pilot sites, and convene an advisory council. The Attorney General noted a technical issue about whether council members would be compensated, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Farmers Union all expressed support for streamlining aquaculture and promoting restorative aquaculture. Members asked about the bill’s focus on restorative aquaculture, and the department said the program would give the area dedicated resources and a framework. The committee also heard HB 219, which would temporarily reestablish the coffee berry borer pesticide subsidy program and manager position; the department, Waimea Coffee Association, Farm Bureau, and Farmers Union supported it. HB 2139 would fund University of Hawaiʻi research on treatment methods for the Queensland longhorn beetle. Testimony from DLNR, the invasive species council, university researchers, farmers, and the Farm Bureau emphasized the beetle’s spread and damage to trees and crops, and described nematode biocontrol as promising but labor-intensive and in need of more research and scaling. Members asked whether the funding was for research rather than a position, whether the current nematode approach is sufficient for large orchards, and whether other controls are being explored; the response was that the bill funds testing and that more work is needed, including local production of nematodes if the method proves effective.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 411 Conference PM - Fri May 1, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

House Chamber - Fri May 1, 2026, 6:30PM HST - Day 56

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 329 Conference AM - Fri May 1, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 325 Conference PM - Fri May 1, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 325 Conference AM - Fri May 1, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 329 Conference PM - Fri May 1, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 309 Conference AM/PM - Fri May 1, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 329 Conference AM - Thu Apr 30, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

House Chamber - Thu Apr 30, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 55

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Madam Speaker, today we take a practical and meaningful step towards strengthening Hawaii's workforce
  • Representative Morikawa continued: Today we take a practical and meaningful step towards strengthening
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 309 Conference AM - Thu Apr 30, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 411 Conference AM - Thu Apr 30, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 411 Conference AM - Fri May 1, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 325 Conference PM - Thu Apr 30, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 325 Conference AM - Thu Apr 30, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 329 Conference PM - Thu Apr 30, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 309 Conference PM - Thu Apr 30, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting