Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:46:11.920> but<00:46:12.160> I<00:46:12.319> notice everything is far in Hilo
• but I notice everything is far in Hilo but I notice the<00:46:13.079> population<00:46:13.680
• possible Reon why I say is it's<00:48:05.960> okay<00:48:06.160> in<00:48:06.319> Hilo
• <00:48:06.760> town<00:48:07.440> because<00:48:07.599> it's it's okay in Hilo
• town because it's it's okay in Hilo town because it's saturated<00:48:08.520> and<00:48:08.960

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on SB 1419, SB 1494, and SB 1495, which were taken out of order to accommodate ASL/Death Blind Task Force testimony. SB 1419, relating to Act 253 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2023), drew support from the Department of Human Services and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, with testimony emphasizing use of the term “low vision” and support for the program timeline. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, including technical changes and updated appropriation fiscal years, and the motion was adopted unanimously by the members present. SB 1494, concerning hearing aids, drew broad support from disability advocates and others who argued that hearing aids improve health, reduce accidents, and may help reduce dementia risk. Testifiers also urged that the bill define hearing aids as prescription hearing aids rather than including over-the-counter devices, and the Department of the Auditor and Insurance Division raised cost and coverage questions. The committee recommended passage with amendments, changing the coverage approach to optional coverage similar to vision and dental and requesting a sunrise analysis for prescription hearing aids; that recommendation was adopted. SB 1495, which exempts hearing aids from the general excise tax, also received support, while the Attorney General flagged a possible single-subject issue and the Tax Department estimated a potential $1.1 million revenue impact. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including deletion of the challenged language, technical fixes, and noting the revenue estimate; that recommendation was adopted. The committee then moved through additional measures with mostly supportive testimony. SB 1421 on medical records prompted questions about what happens when a solo practitioner dies or closes practice, and the discussion centered on ensuring patients can obtain records, including a proposed amendment requiring a successor provider to send records to the patient’s last known address. SB 1422, dealing with a special fund and vital statistics funding, was supported by the Department of Health, which said the special fund did not meet criteria and that deposits should instead go to the Vital Statistics Improvement Special Fund. SB 1423 on certificate of need exemptions for Department of Health facilities drew support, with discussion of possibly extending exemptions to dialysis and behavioral health/psychiatric services; the Department indicated it would not oppose that change. SB 1424 on credentialing of health care providers also received support, and SB 1425 on the State Emergency Medical Services Committee focused on reducing quorum requirements because many members are active first responders and cannot always attend meetings. The committee also heard support for SB 1426 on emergency medical services, SB 1431 on viral hepatitis, and SB 1433 on harm reduction, with testimony on hepatitis outreach funding and syringe access best practices; for SB 1433, the Department of Health identified a blank in the bill and recommended a six-month period for the syringe-possession exception.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:22:35.039> zone<00:22:35.440> facility<00:22:35.880> in<00:22:36.080> Hilo
• <00:22:36.679> on foreign trade zone facility in Hilo on foreign trade zone facility in Hilo
• ADC doesn't have land on Maui, and the two acres or less they do have on the Big Island, Hilo, it's not
• We have one active dairy left on Hawaii Island, in Hilo, but we have some infrastructure that we could
• We have one active dairy left on Hawaii Island, in Hilo, but we have some infrastructure that we could

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, with most witnesses either supporting the bills or offering technical concerns and suggested amendments. On SB 338, testimony came from the Department of Taxation, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, and Surpac, and the bill later moved forward with amendments. On SB 558, testimony was largely in support from the Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Local Food Coalition, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation, which described the measure as supporting rural jobs, food-system development, and use of off-grade agricultural products. ADC requested flexibility for neighbor-island siting and funding allocations, while the committee also discussed whether the bill’s language should be made more general and whether it could raise constitutional concerns about overly specific site designations. The bill was advanced with amendments and a noted appropriation allocation of $350,000. The committee also heard SB 186, which drew support from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Public Health Institute, DED, ADC, AAHU RC&D, and the Hawaii Youth Food Council. Supporters said the measure would improve coordination among agencies on food systems, help address food security and the state’s 30% by 2030 farm-to-school goal, and create a more organized statewide food systems effort. SB 328 received support from the Department of Taxation and Hawaii Farm Bureau, with Farm Bureau describing it as a way to repurpose existing dairy infrastructure to revive hog production and support livestock and farm-to-school goals; the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the measure as a potentially narrow industry incentive that could unfairly benefit a specific taxpayer and said a direct appropriation would be more transparent. SB 89 was described by Hawaii Farm Bureau as a labeling measure intended to protect the integrity of a culturally relevant local product, though the group raised concerns about wording and implementation timing. Later, SB 742 received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaii System, Hawaii KidsCAN, the Hawaii Workforce Funders Collaborative, and the State Commission on the Status of Women. Testifiers said the bill would improve cross-agency data sharing, support workforce and education planning, and create public-facing dashboards; the Commission on the Status of Women asked to be included in the working group or as an advisory member. In decision-making, the committee adopted amendments and advanced SB 338, SB 558, and SB 1186. For SB 1186, the chair’s recommendation added three positions, specified committee-note funding amounts for those positions and operating funds, and revised working-group membership to have co-chairs appoint five members with relevant experience and expertise.

Transcript Highlights:

• She was born and raised in Anahola, Hawaiʻi, and has lived in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, with Lorraine and Joy for
• She was born and raised in Anahola, Hawaiʻi, and has lived in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, with Lorraine and Joy for
• And this is Emma Coloma Nakano, also here, and this is Emma Coloma Nakano, also from Hilo.
• and this is Emma Coloma nakano also here and this is Emma Coloma nakano also from<01:30:01.600> Hilo
• she took the day off too to from Hilo she took the day off too to come<01:30:04.320> and<01:30

Keywords: Order of the Day: PENDING, 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Community College student, faculty, staff, and workforce housing, $15 million for improvements at Hilo
• Community College student, faculty, staff, and workforce housing, $15 million for improvements at Hilo
• 00:56:16.160> improvements<00:56:16.640> at<00:56:17.040> uh<00:56:17.280> Hilo
• <00:56:18.000> and<00:56:18.400> 7 for improvements at uh Hilo and 7 for improvements
• at uh Hilo and 7 million<00:56:19.119> for<00:56:19.359> improvements<00:56:19.920>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yield to the representative from Hilo, Representative Liloy. Madam Speaker, I rise in support.
• As a registered nurse in obstetrics at Hilo Benioff Medical Center, Karen has always gone above and beyond
• As a registered nurse in obstetrics at As a registered nurse in obstetrics at Hilo<00:26:32.799> Benoff
• 33.440> Medical<00:26:33.840> Center,<00:26:34.720> Karen<00:26:35.279> has Hilo
• Benoff Medical Center, Karen has Hilo Benoff Medical Center, Karen has always<00:26:35.919> gone<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So currently, we outsource our firm in Hilo about 30% of our production staff, and that's not out of
• and So currently we Outsource our firm and So currently we Outsource our firm on<00:20:41.960> Hilo
• 43.200> 30%<00:20:43.840> of<00:20:43.960> our<00:20:44.159> production on Hilo
• about 30% of our production on Hilo about 30% of our production staff<00:20:45.480> and<00:20

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 573, which would require condominium associations to repair defective common-element conditions that create health or safety violations. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, including from the Community Associations Institute and construction-defect counsel, who argued the bill could lead to piecemeal repairs and unintended damage in complex building systems. The measure was deferred. The committee then heard SB 1038 on privacy and data-breach notice requirements. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs supported the bill as a modernization of the law, while the Hawaii Financial Services Association, Consumer Data Industry Association, and other groups opposed it, mainly over the proposed redaction standard for Social Security numbers and concerns about making Hawaii an outlier compared with other states. Members discussed possible amendments, including harmonizing with other states and clarifying encryption and redaction rules. The committee later voted to pass SB 1038 with amendments, including changes from the Office of Consumer Protection, Hawaii Bankers Association, and State Privacy and Security Coalition, and deferred the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committee also took up SB 890 and voted to pass it with amendments and recommit it to the CPN committee for a hearing before the decking deadline. In a separate decision-making segment, the committee passed SB 1291 on CPA licensure with amendments after testimony from accounting groups, educators, and others described a shortage of accountants and supported an alternate pathway using public-accounting experience. The committee adopted amendments clarifying the education and experience requirements and then approved the measure. Later, the committee also passed several additional measures on a decision agenda, including SB 129 SD1, SB 140 SD1, SB 144 SD1, SB 1197 SD1, SB 1341, SB 411 SD1, and SB 1438, generally with amendments or as introduced, and all were adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:05:33.679> this alongside the senator from Hilo this alongside the senator from Hilo this
• , and what this bill does is actually elevate his legacy for economy and economic development in Hilo
• but also puts the opportunity for Hilo but also puts the opportunity for stakeholders<03:03:41.319><
• Thank you. special part of Hilo and look forward to special part of Hilo and look forward to a<03:05:
• fact that there's Jets parked at Hilo fact that there's Jets parked at Hilo International<03:20:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Working right now, Konani Law back in Hilo is basically set up a project where we're getting people who
• Right now, Konani Law back in Hilo is basically set up a project where we're getting people who drive
• If I could just elaborate, we have two major courts, one in Hilo, one in Kona, and so what would you
• want it just in Kona or Hilo, or would you want both?
• or would you want both so Kona or Hilo or would you want both so that's<01:05:33.039> number<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard several bills on January 30. SB 286 and SB 287 both concerned supplemental funding for the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney: SB 286 for the career criminal prosecution unit and SB 287 for the victim witness assistance program. Testimony from the department explained that these bills are filed each year because the Attorney General’s core budget allocation may not be sufficient, though the department said the core had recently been increased and the supplemental request might no longer be necessary. For SB 287, the department also warned of a possible federal Victims of Crime Act funding freeze that could cut about $1.88 million and severely harm victim services. Both bills drew support from county and community witnesses, and members asked about prior-year funding and why the requests were limited to fiscal 2025-26; no votes were taken in the excerpt. SB 289, from the State Ethics Commission, would create a more uniform administrative fine process under the ethics code and lobbyist law. The commission said the measure would not change substantive enforcement but would let it issue a notice and order of fine first, with the respondent able to request a hearing within 20 days, which would speed up cases that are not factually disputed. Members questioned whether the bill would deny due process or function like an automatic parking ticket, and the commission responded that respondents could still challenge the fine and that the process would apply to violations with fines under $1,000. The committee also heard SB 304, which would add 11 positions for the First Circuit Adult Client Services Branch; Judiciary testimony said probation caseloads are high, with an average of 116 cases per officer, and the added staff would help meet national supervision standards and better serve higher-risk clients. Members asked whether the positions were already in the budget and about current staffing ratios; the witness said the positions were not already funded and that the Judiciary supported the bill with amendments. The committee then heard SB 311, a proposed constitutional amendment to exclude spending money to influence elections from protected free speech. Testimony was strongly divided: supporters argued that Citizens United has distorted elections and empowered special interests, while opponents warned the language was too broad and could affect nonprofit advocacy and grassroots groups. Finally, SB 313 would impose a 1% wealth asset tax on individuals with $20 million or more in assets. The Department of Taxation said it had concerns about the bill’s ambiguity and administration and noted it would require annual valuation and likely additional resources; opponents, including family business representatives and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, argued the tax would be difficult and costly to administer, would require sensitive business disclosures, and could force family businesses to pay from company cash. Supporters said wealthy residents should pay a fair share. The committee heard testimony and questions on these bills, but the excerpt does not show final committee votes or actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, and we recognize that, you know, we have vehicles in our DAGS facilities out on your island in Hilo
• Yeah, and we recognize that, you know, we have vehicles in our DAGS facilities out on your island in Hilo
• /c><00:18:44.799> your<00:18:44.960> island<00:18:45.360> in<00:18:45.600> Hilo
• <00:18:46.000> as<00:18:46.160> well um out on on your island in Hilo as well um out
• on on your island in Hilo as well as<00:18:46.400> in<00:18:46.559> Kona.

Bills: SB2543, SB2435, SB2352

Keywords: state construction, construction manager, design review, public works, capital improvement, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, DOE, Department of Education, comptroller, pilot program, design review special fund, county permit review, accessibility compliance, Disability and Communication Access Board, state infrastructure, government construction, project oversight, civil service exemption, county agencies

Summary: The Committee on Government Operations reconvened on February 10, 2026, to take up measures previously heard on February 5. It advanced SB 2983 on criminal destruction of trees with technical, non-substantive amendments and a committee report note asking Judiciary to clarify that removal of invasive species remains allowed; the measure passed with one no vote. SB 2930 on the state risk management revolving fund also passed with amendments, including blanking out the amount, setting a defective date, and directing Ways and Means to review a spreadsheet before further action. The committee likewise passed SB 2928 on making the small business procurement program permanent and SB 2970 on standards of conduct for state agency contracts, adopting the Ethics Commission’s recommended language assigning compliance responsibility to department directors and deputy directors. SB 2927 and SB 3068 on procurement were deferred to a time certain on February 12, and SB 3015 on personal information, SB 2929 on public notice, and SB 2938 on search and rescue were also deferred for further discussion or to avoid re-referral issues. SB 2662 on external consultants was amended to remove a cap and preemptive approval language, narrow the expertise standard, and note possible auditor staffing or appropriation needs; it then passed with amendments. The joint GVO-EIG hearing then took up SB 2543 on state construction projects and an Office of the State Construction Manager within DAGS. Testimony from the Hawaii Iron Workers Stabilization Fund strongly supported the bill, saying it could reduce wasteful spending on large design-build projects and free money for tax credits and other public needs. DAGS, the University of Hawaii, and DLNR offered written comments, while one witness from KIC opposed the measure and asked for an exemption for member-owned electric cooperatives. A Hawaii Solar Energy Association witness also supported the bill but asked that landscape architects be excluded from the bill’s definition of design professionals, and Rocky Mold said Kauai permitting was efficient enough that he had no objection to carving it out. The committee adopted amendments from DNR, DAGS, and UH and passed SB 2543. The hearing also considered SB 2435 on EV charging infrastructure at state facilities. DAGS and the Hawaii State Energy Office supported the concept and explained that the goal was to retrofit managed parking facilities with infrastructure that can meet current and future EV needs, while acknowledging that some stalls can sit unused and that the state must balance space and enforcement. Members raised concerns about whether dedicating 25% of stalls to EV charging would reduce usable parking, and about rural and Big Island conditions where EV range and battery capacity remain limiting. The discussion noted that DOT, DNR, DOE, and DOH may have their own parking facilities outside DAGS control. The committee then indicated it would broaden the bill to apply to all state agencies and lower the threshold in response to member concerns, with final action not fully shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those issues are unique to Hilo and don't occur at other industrial lease sites there.
• Hawaii island in Hilo so that will Hawaii island in Hilo so that will support<01:52:22.199> the
• extension work and trainings in Hilo extension work and trainings in Hilo because<01:52:27.719><
• compared to people on you know in Hilo compared to people on you know in Hilo or<01:53:22.199>
• My concern, and many constituents in my district and throughout Hilo, is that timeline.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe that it's unfair to have the families drive to Hilo for visitations only to find out that's
• <00:08:33.519> for the families drive to the Hilo for the families drive to the Hilo for visitations
• Uh, the Halan facility in Hilo, it's like a workforce development program for inmates who are reintegrating
• So right now we're not at capacity at that facility because folks from the... the Halan facility in Hilo
• the it's like the Halan facility in Hilo the it's like a<00:17:37.520> workforce<00:17:38.799

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This cruise ship tax will negatively impact communities like Hilo, Kona, Maui, and Kauai.
• ship that bases in our state, might scale back its weekly island cruises, harming local businesses in Hilo
• And we're all proud of her, coming back to Hilo.
• As maybe some of you don't know, but she also attended UH Hilo campus with a degree in nursing.
• Miss Aloha Hula title on April<01:04:13.359> 24th<01:04:14.520> in<01:04:14.800> Hilo

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as well as, oh, I'm not done yet, as well as my friend in the middle, Jenna Mandrea from college at Hilo
• Jenna Mandrea from college at Hilo, who, about over maybe I'd say 10 years or more, used to work in this

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 05.919> from manager for the good representative from manager for the good representative from Hilo
• 24:07.200> please<00:24:07.360> join<00:24:07.520> me<00:24:07.679> in Hilo
• Colleagues, please join me in Hilo.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• great partner in this is our Hilo great partner in this is our Hilo airport<00:45:51.520> is<
• Here's the question I have because it perked my ear when you said Hilo Airport is an evacuation route
• airport is an my ear when you said Hilo airport is an evacuation<01:06:45.119> route.
• If you haven't gone to that museum, you have to go to Hilo and see that museum.
• have to go to Hilo and see that museum. have to go to Hilo and see that museum. um<01:19:10.960>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on hazard mitigation planning and recent tsunami and wildfire threats. Chair Dela Buladi opened by framing the meeting around the need for iterative disaster planning and lessons learned from events such as the Lahaina wildfires, the Puna Coast earthquake/tsunami, and recent wildfire activity. The committee heard first from Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Tomage Magno, who explained the federal and local hazard mitigation planning process, including the requirement for an active five-year mitigation plan to qualify for federal disaster funds. He described the plan as a living document built from prior plans, public and agency outreach, risk and capability assessments, and ongoing updates, with county departments, state agencies, and subject matter experts participating in the process. Magno outlined several FEMA-related mitigation funding programs, including flood mitigation assistance, post-fire assistance, pre-disaster mitigation, revolving loan funds, and dam safety grants. He emphasized that the Hawaii County plan was recently approved by FEMA, that the county council approves the plan, and that the county reviews it annually with a formal revision process beginning in the fourth year. Members asked about how the plan tracks project status, how priorities and funding changes are handled, and whether federal funding programs might be affected by HR1; Magno said the county is proceeding on the assumption that funding will remain available and noted some sources have been reestablished. He also said the county encourages council participation in meetings and planning. Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen then addressed the committee on DOT’s response to a recent tsunami threat, saying the agency had about four hours to prepare before the first wave arrival and was focused on its own operational response rather than the broader statewide planning process. In response to questions, he stated that FHWA funds cannot be used for evacuation routes, which is why prior legislative funding was important. Members also discussed specific mitigation projects such as fire breaks, bridge retrofits, and the Singing Bridge, with DOT noting that work is underway and that a replacement bridge upstream is being planned to carry traffic during repairs. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nurses graduate from Hilo and, I'm sure, from Maui and different islands.
• Then they got to go back to Hilo, and they're spending money.
• Then they got to go back to Hilo, and they're spending money.
• Then they got to go back to Hilo, and they're spending money.
• <00:26:48.039> and then they got to go back to Hilo and then they got to go back to Hilo and

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection heard the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs present its biennium budget request for fiscal years 2025 to 2027. Director Nainoa Ando said the department’s requests were primarily special-fund ceiling increases to meet operational needs. Major items included an additional $12 million to complete the King Kamehameha V Post Office building roof project after hidden deterioration and water intrusion were discovered, plus funding related to fringe benefits and central services assessments. The department also outlined requests for a new medical compact implementation cost, an auditor position, an engineer position, and a captive insurance IT modernization project. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Office of Consumer Protection’s landlord-tenant call line and public service access. Senators raised concerns that callers often reach voicemail, are told to leave a message, and sometimes are referred to look up the law themselves. DCCA said the Oʻahu line is staffed by one full-time employee backed by two to three investigators, with one investigator each on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, and that calls are tracked in a case management system. The department said it plans to add one more Oʻahu staff position through a transfer from another division and that a new call-center/web system with time tracking is expected to go live in the summer. Members also discussed a possible bill related to Pearson VUE nursing certification testing, with one senator describing the burden on neighbor-island nursing graduates who must travel to Honolulu for a one-hour test. The senator said she intended to introduce legislation after receiving no response to repeated outreach. DCCA did not take action on that proposal during the hearing. For the PUC-related requests, the department explained a one-time $1 million request for outside consulting tied to Maui wildfire-related filings, including wildfire safety mitigation and hazard mitigation plans, and a separate $900,000 request through the Consumer Advocacy Division to hire consultants for review and analysis. The committee also discussed a captive insurance IT modernization request, which DCCA said would replace manual and spreadsheet-based processes with a cloud-based system to better handle filings, payments, and workflow; no vote or final action was taken on the budget items during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• , which has been getting involved with overcrowding for the Hilo facility?"
• Because we just completed the new building at Hilo, which finally has been added." "Correct.
• <00:33:00.799> which completed the new building at Hilo which completed the new building at
• Hilo which thanks<00:33:01.840> you<00:33:02.000> know<00:33:02.159> that<00:33
• Says the lease is going to be terminated at Pōkoloa, which is in the middle of Hilo and Kona, and is

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• don't mean in town Honolulu, you know, if they're working for your office, why can't they live in Hilo
• can't<01:56:26.400> they<01:56:26.560> live<01:56:26.639> in<01:56:26.800> Hilo
• Why can't they live in Hilo?
• Why can't they live in Hilo? [Clears throat.]
• I noticed two of them are based in Hilo.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that I was in, um, we asked to do studies to see how much it would cost to complete plans and the Hilo
• <00:05:46.080> plans<00:05:46.560> and<00:05:47.520> the<00:05:48.000> Hilo
• <00:05:48.479> plan, Um, to complete plans and the Hilo plan, the Big Island plan was in place

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard two gubernatorial nominations and one resolution. Governor’s Message 585 nominated Stanley Ruidas to the Game Management Advisory Commission for a term ending June 30, 2028. DLNR supported the nomination, citing his prior service as GMAC chair from 2020 to 2022 and his work on hunting and wildlife management issues. Ruidas said he hoped to continue as chair and focus on bringing meetings to hunters across the islands and advancing island-specific wildlife management plans. The committee later recommended advice and consent on GM585, and the motion passed unanimously. Governor’s Message 550 nominated Alexandra Kelly Polo to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission for a term ending June 30, 2028. DLNR and several supporters, including the County of Hawaii and community advocates, praised her experience with land acquisition, conservation easements, and county open-space efforts. Kelly Polo said her work has helped protect thousands of acres on Hawaii Island and emphasized the importance of preserving natural resources and working with community groups. The committee recommended advice and consent on GM550, and the motion passed unanimously. The committee also considered SCR 19/SR 100, which requested DLNR to convene a Kīua Bay advisory working group. DLNR and the Hawaii Tourism Authority offered written support, and members said the working group could help address long-standing issues in the area. The committee recommended passage with technical and nonsubstantive amendments, and the motion was adopted unanimously. In a separate joint portion of the meeting, the committees also advanced SCR 75/SR 58, supporting historic preservation staffing for Lahaina rebuild efforts, with both technical and substantive amendments, and later advanced STR 24 with an amendment to include the 100th Infantry Battalion alongside the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite these losses, we continue to serve communities in Hilo, Oahu, and Maui with integrity and care
• , Oahu, and Maui with integrity in Hilo, Oahu, and Maui with integrity and<01:05:47.039> care.
• I am the development officer at the Palace Theater in Hilo, Hawaii.
• These services reach residents from Hilo to Kona, Kohala to Kau, and everything in between.
• My name is Lisa Solomine, executive director of East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing on Act 310 grants and aid focused on organizations describing how federal funding cuts, Medicaid/SNAP changes, and related policy shifts are affecting their services and budgets. Committee members explained there would be no Q&A, testimony would be limited to one minute, and in-person participants would be heard before Zoom callers. Members repeatedly asked testifiers to identify the amount of federal funding lost or at risk. Testimony came from a wide range of nonprofits and community providers, including Aloha Care, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Literacy, Hawaii Youth Symphony, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, the Tsunami Museum, The Kohala Center, West Hawaii Community Health Center, West Hawaii Region Hospital Foundation, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii, Dynamic Community Solutions, Feeding Hawaii Together, Girl Scouts of Hawaii, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Homana, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Kids Hurt Too Hawaii, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Most described reduced or threatened federal support and requested state funding to maintain services such as health care access, food security, disaster preparedness, literacy and digital inclusion, youth mentoring, arts education, housing, and climate or agricultural resilience. Several speakers emphasized direct impacts on vulnerable populations, including kūpuna, low-income families, immigrants, homeless youth, and people with disabilities. Requests ranged from relatively small planning or program grants to multi-million-dollar stabilization asks, with some organizations citing specific losses such as reduced Medicaid or USDA funding, canceled EPA or FEMA support, or expiring federal grants. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.