Video & Transcript Research : 'Hawaii voting'
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HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR/AEN Joint Info Briefing - Mon Nov 24, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Why biosecurity is important for Hawaii?
- What is biosecurity in Hawaii?
- for example we'll use I think um Hawaii for example we'll use I think um Hawaii Island<01:48:57.840
- looking at Hawaii.
- Our funding is for control mitigation. the funds. and a tier Hawaii lat you the funds. and a tier Hawaii
Summary:
The joint informational briefing from the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment focused on the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s update on Hawaii’s biosecurity framework, especially implementation of Act 231 (2024) and Act 236 (2025). Chairs Corey Chun and Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing the briefing as an update on investments to fight invasive species and improve statewide evaluation and coordination. Department leaders Sharon Her and Richard Kim described historic legislative and executive investments that have allowed the department to rebuild and modernize biosecurity infrastructure to better prevent, detect, control, and eradicate invasive species.
The presentation emphasized the importance of biosecurity to Hawaii’s agriculture, economy, environment, and public well-being, citing threats such as rapid ohia death, little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, brown tree snake, and red imported fire ant. Staff explained the state’s layered approach—pre-border, border, and post-border—and compared it to New Zealand’s model, stressing that Hawaii must act as a “net, not a wall” and that prevention before entry is far more cost-effective than response after establishment. They also outlined agency roles across the system, including agriculture, natural resources, health, transportation, enforcement, and university partners, and noted that Act 231 strengthened authority over high-risk imports, offshore treatment, compliance agreements, and pest management plans, while Act 236 renamed the department and clarified statewide biosecurity coordination.
Jonathan Ho then walked through specific program areas and progress. He said pre-border risk analysis is being supported by Act 231 funding and a university contract, while offshore compliance and treatment efforts have improved substantially, including Christmas tree inspections from Oregon and Washington and airline declaration systems that provide advance passenger information. For border work, he highlighted inspections, surveillance, detector dogs, and port monitoring. For post-border response and readiness, he discussed the invasive pest hotline and dashboard, trace-forward/trace-back and diagnostics, preparedness for future threats, and the need to build stronger internal capacity. He also described a developing transitional facilities program authorized by Act 236, modeled on New Zealand’s certified facilities system, and said the department has already begun outreach to industry groups such as the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- They are from the YMCA of Honolulu, Hawaii Island, and Maui.
- Unfortunately, here in Hawaii, we have witnessed a sharp increase in depression and anxiety amongst our
- are from the YMCA of Honolulu Hawaii are from the YMCA of Honolulu Hawaii island<00:01:53.600>
- here in Hawaii we have witnessed<00:02:02.280>
a <00:02:02.439>sharp <00:02:02.799>- purpose revenue bonds to assist Hawaii purpose revenue bonds to assist Hawaii Island<00:03:20.959
- here in Hawaii we have witnessed<00:02:02.280>
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HRE-AEN, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 01-31-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- A representative from Water Resources testifying for the University of Hawaii in support.
- <00:03:23.440>
in Hawaii in Hawaii in support<00:03:25.840>ten support ten support ten - I am with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, acting plant pest control branch manager.
- University of Hawaii... Parwinder Grall? How can you pronounce your last name? Greywall?
- control branch manager for the Hawaii control branch manager for the Hawaii Department<00:24:11.200
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1232, which would create a three-year wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaiʻi Water Resources Research Center and coordinate testing with state and county agencies. The Department of Health, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and University of Hawaiʻi representatives supported the bill, saying it would help certify new wastewater technologies, lower costs for cesspool conversions, and provide data to the Department of Health. Testifiers said the prior testing effort ended after the departure of Dr. Roger Babcock, and that the new program would use National Sanitation Foundation standards, graduate students, and local wastewater facilities such as Wahiawa. Committee members asked about the $750,000 total cost, the scope of existing research, prior test sites, and whether the program would be tied to individuals or a permanent program. One member raised concerns about the fairness and data basis for sewer conversion decisions in local communities, and the University said it would follow national standards and share results openly.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 686, relating to a short-term management initiative for coconut rhinoceros beetle response and related appropriations. The Department of Agriculture and the University of Hawaiʻi testified in support, while a county representative and other advocates urged broader statewide coverage, including Kauaʻi, and asked that appropriated funds be usable on any island. Testimony emphasized the need for immediate action, outreach, tree-trimmer training, canopy treatments, K-9 inspections, container fumigation, and biocontrol research. A member summarized the bill’s funding components, including amounts for training, residential palm treatments, response teams, inspections, fumigation, and research, and noted the importance of directing money toward on-the-ground response. Committee questions focused on how much funding remained available, how the agencies would coordinate with DOA, whether the department was prepared to manage all the bill’s functions, and how infestations were being communicated to the public.
Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 657, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology’s Center for Climate Resilient Development. The Department of Land and Natural Resources testified in strong support, and the Department of Health also supported the measure, noting that it relies on the center’s data to inform decisions and recommendations on projects. The discussion on this item was brief in the portion provided, with no vote or final action shown.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- We're opening up the first conference committee agenda for 10:30 a.m. here in the Hawaii State Capitol
- None of these will be voted on, and the intent is to reconvene these all tomorrow, same room, same time
- At the Hawaii State Capitol. But I will announce them as we go, measure by measure.
- I believe this is one of those we have agreement and could potentially vote on.
- I believe this is one of those we have agreement and could potentially vote on.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Everyone else voting aye. Anyone voting with reservations or no?
- Everyone else voting aye. Anyone voting with reservations or no?
- vote.
- Um, anyone voting with vote. Um, anyone voting with reservations?
- Vice Chair for the vote. Voting on SCR 119 SD1.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several shoreline easement resolutions and a water-supply study resolution. For the easement measures, the Department of Land and Natural Resources supported each item, and testimony also came from affected landowners and community members. Members asked about why some easements were granted gratis to public agencies, with DLNR explaining that those cases involved public infrastructure such as stormwater management and did not require bonds or rent. For private properties, DLNR described the standard process of monthly rent during the legislative approval gap, followed by a one-time appraised payment for a 25-year easement once the appraisal is completed.
A substantial portion of the discussion focused on shoreline erosion and whether hardened shoreline structures or seawalls were contributing to beach loss. On one measure, DLNR explained that a large sandbag shoreline structure was tied to a nearby boat harbor that had altered sand movement over time, causing flanking erosion on adjacent unarmored property. On another, DLNR said a wall built under a valid 1960s permit was originally a boundary or landscaping wall, but now functions as a seawall as the shoreline has migrated landward. Members raised concerns about fairness, public beach access, and whether adjacent owners should share costs, and DLNR responded that shoreline matters are handled parcel by parcel under existing statute.
The committee also heard support for a resolution creating a task force or study on desalination. DLNR’s Commission on Water Resource Management supported the intent but asked for more time to complete a comprehensive report, noting the work would require substantial staffing and coordination. The Board of Water Supply and CARES also testified in support, with CARES emphasizing future water-supply needs, cultural and historic preservation concerns, and the importance of coordinating with other agencies. DLNR said it would rely on existing studies and work with county agencies and the Department of Health. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Thu Jan 8, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As of September, Hawaii good news.
- short-term movement to Hawaii. short-term movement to Hawaii.
- for Hawaii? for Hawaii?
- Hawaii Labor Relations Board. Hawaii Labor Relations Board.
- as retain the skills here in Hawaii. as retain the skills here in Hawaii.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair votes aye. Thank you. Vice Chair also votes aye.
- Chair votes aye. Thank you. If the members present, any voting with reservations or objections?
- Chair votes aye. Thank you. Chair votes aye. Thank you.
- Chair votes aye. Thank you. Of the members present, any voting with reservations or objections?
- Chair votes aye. Thank you.
Summary:
The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection met on March 27, 2025, for a decision-making agenda on measures previously heard in subject matter committees. The committee recommended passage of HB 48 (coffee labeling) and HB 702 (pharmacy) without amendment, and both measures were adopted without objections. HB 97 (travel insurance) was recommended for passage with a committee amendment to replace the phrase “delivery of” with “sending” on page 19, line 16, to align the bill with the model act; the amended measure was adopted.
The committee also recommended passage of HB 534 (labeling requirements), HB 951 (prescription drugs), and HB 1422 (motor carriers) without amendment, and each was adopted without reservations or objections. For HB 799 (health care), the committee deferred decision-making until Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 10:05 a.m. in Conference Room 229 because proposed amendments from Maui Health were still awaiting prior concurrence.
Senator McKel and Senator Richards were noted as excused. After completing action on the agenda items, the committee adjourned.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, April 30, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- On this vote. On this vote. On this vote. The yays are 210. The nays are 216.
- Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a two-minute vote.
- Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a two-minute vote.
- Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a two-minute vote.
- voted.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- The purpose of this informational briefing is for the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and the Hawaii
- It's to help the kind of average Hawaii resident or maybe even lower than the average Hawaii resident
is <00:31:08.640>kind the average Hawaii resident who is kind the average Hawaii resident- And I'm hesitant to return to Hawaii.
- I mean waiting to happen in Hawaii.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, December 11, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- To change their vote. On this vote, the yays are 267, the nays are 159.
- >> I ask for a recorded vote. >> Recorded vote is requested.
- American people voted for. American people voted for.
- They all voted no. They all voted no.
- voted for and they created. voted for and they created.
VA
Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Communications, Technology and Innovation Mar 9th, 2026
Communications, Technology and Innovation
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, please cast your vote.
- Your vote, and the vote is 17 to 3 that we gently laid this piece of legislation on the table. Mr.
- right now. ...including referendums that have started their voting right now.
- If you want to take a note, H.A. 191 was an act that passed in Hawaii that was almost that difference
- Members cast your vote. And with that, the bill reports 20 to zero.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider the nomination of Douglas Collins, of Georgia, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Jan 23rd, 2025
Senate Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Any of the folks who are here and here on time, but we will have a roll call vote, so we need every member
- I will be voting in support of Congressman Collins' nomination.
- Would it be appropriate to make comments after the vote? It will be. Thank you.
- The vote is now on the motion that the committee favorably report the pending nomination.
- There has been a request for a roll call vote, and the clerk will call the roll. Mr. Cramer, aye.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- does not become a reality in Hawaii does not become a reality in Hawaii Hawaii<00:08:13.720>
- 1950 since then temperature in Hawaii 1950 since then temperature in Hawaii has<00:19:13.240>
- not aloha economic future for Hawaii not aloha economic future for Hawaii most<00:33:00.559>
- Council Hawaii Hawaii Cattleman's Council Hawaii Farmers<00:40:32.960>
Union <00:40:33.359> - under sered producers here in Hawaii under sered producers here in Hawaii indigenous<00:41:07.880
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
PBS Info Briefing - Thu Aug 28, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- and expert um administrator from Hawaii and expert um administrator from Hawaii County<00:12:48.320
- Um you know that's on Hawaii Island.
- management, city and county and Hawaii management, city and county and Hawaii County<00:17:52.720
- engage Hawaii volcanoes observatory engage Hawaii volcanoes observatory um<00:28:25.120>
and < - state DOT support agency agency Hawaii state DOT support agency Hawaii<00:36:34.560>
County <00
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.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- So, we are Hawaii insurance. Okay.
- Unite Us or Unite Hawaii. Um there's Unite Us or Unite Hawaii.
- <01:14:42.880>
state state hospitals, state Hawaii state state hospitals, state Hawaii state - We for the state of Hawaii, do we?
- Health<02:00:56.159>
Center Hawaii Island Community Health Center Hawaii Island Community
Summary:
The joint informational briefing by the Health and Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection committees focused on projected impacts to Hawaii consumers from federal changes affecting Med-QUEST and the ACA marketplace, including the loss of ACA premium tax credits, OBVA/HR1-related Medicaid changes, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and new Medicaid work/community engagement requirements. Committee members noted the meeting was being streamed live and emphasized the need to explain potential coverage losses affecting a significant share of the state population.
Med-QUEST administrators reported current enrollment at 390,766, about 27% of Hawaii’s population, and broke that down into major groups including roughly 128,000 ACA expansion adults and about 52,000 parent/caretaker relatives. They said the expansion adult population would be most affected by the new federal requirements, which will shorten renewal periods from 12 months to 6 months and impose community engagement rules beginning in late 2026 and 2027. They described the work requirement as 80 hours per month of work, community service, work program participation, or half-time education, with an income-based pathway tied to $580 per month at the federal minimum wage; they also noted a long list of exemptions, but said many details are still awaiting federal guidance and rulemaking.
The administrators said federal changes to immigrant eligibility would eliminate Medicaid coverage for certain noncitizen categories, with an estimated 1,200 to 2,400 people affected, though about 200 may remain covered through a state-funded program for otherwise eligible individuals. They also said marketplace subsidies would no longer be available for some immigrants under 100% of the federal poverty level starting January 1, 2026, with further restrictions expected in 2027. For Hawaii overall, they estimated the new Medicaid work and renewal rules could push an additional 19,000 to 38,000 people into uninsured status, with another estimated 6,000 at risk from the six-month renewal process alone. Members asked about how exemptions would be determined, especially for medically frail and seriously mentally ill individuals, and administrators said they were still awaiting detailed federal rules and were working on data-matching and verification processes to reduce coverage losses.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Thu Jan 15, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Like if you look at Hawaii, County of Hawaii, County of Maui, they don't have any HPH provider in their
- the Hawaii State Hospital, correct?
- Wahoo Maui and Hawaii Island. Wahoo Maui and Hawaii Island.
- <06:07:49.840>
We forms of land transfer in Hawaii. We forms of land transfer in Hawaii. - I'm sure there's a little more to Hawaii<06:20:45.680>
than Hawaii than Hawaii than >> No
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
SPEED Task Force (STF) - Thu Sept 11, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:14:52.399>
Um <00:14:52.720>we're Hawaii. Yeah, thank you. Um we're Hawaii. - Hawaii State Council. Hawaii State Council.
- >
employee the Hawaii government employee the Hawaii government employee association. - Japanese Chamber of Commerce on Hawaii Japanese Chamber of Commerce on Hawaii Island.<00:23:39.919
- for Hawaii and all that we stand for. for Hawaii and all that we stand for.
Summary:
The task force held its first meeting, beginning with roll call and introductions of members and participants in the room and on Zoom. The chair emphasized Sunshine Law transparency, noted the meeting was on September 11, and opened public testimony on the orientation report. No one testified in person or on Zoom, and the chair observed a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11 before moving into the agenda.
The chair then reported on several orientation presentations given statewide between July 18 and September 5, including meetings with transit-oriented development, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce on Hawaiʻi Island, the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaiʻi Island Native Hawaiian Chamber, and the Capo Chamber of Commerce. The main presentation item was a detailed overview from Kauaʻi County on its permitting process. County staff explained that zoning and building permits are handled separately on the outer islands, with zoning focused on form, character, and compatibility, and building permits focused on health and safety. They described a two-tier zoning system: ministerial permits that are automatically approved if not acted on within 30 days, and discretionary permits that go to the planning commission and can become lengthy contested cases if there is intervention. They also discussed special management area review in coastal areas, which can add time, and explained that building permits must conform to what was approved in zoning.
Kauaʻi County staff also outlined the building permit process, including online and in-person submission, coordination with planning, engineering, water, wastewater, health, and fire agencies, and the county’s fully electronic review system using ProjectDox and related software. They noted that applicants are encouraged to check zoning, water, wastewater, and floodplain issues before hiring someone to prepare plans, especially for homeowners. The county shared permit and utility statistics and said the public can check permit history through Click2Gov. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; after the Kauaʻi presentation, the chair opened a question period for members.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- First up, we have the Tax Foundation of Hawaii.
- Tom Yamachika, Tax Foundation of Hawaii.
- Chair and Vice Chair vote aye. Representative Holt is excused. Representative Hussey votes aye.
- Representative Ilon votes aye. Representative Todd votes aye.
- This hearing is adjourned. vote voting on House Bill 972 chair's vote voting on House Bill 972 chair's
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Mon Jan 6, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The U.S. is 3.9%; Hawaii is 10.7%.
- <00:20:25.200>
is <00:20:25.360>more Hawaii is more Hawaii is more concentrated<00:20:27.679 - But in Hawaii, the U.S.
- So let's turn and focus specifically on Hawaii.
- <01:57:56.400>
is <01:57:56.719>$8.8 the state of Hawaii is $8.8 the state of Hawaii
Summary:
The Committee on Finance held its first informational briefing for 2025, beginning with member introductions and then hearing an economic outlook presentation from Dr. Eugene Tian of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Dr. Tian said Hawaii’s economy was in relatively good shape in several areas, especially construction, which he described as at a historical high, with construction employment above 40,000 monthly and building permit values and contracting tax base both up sharply. He also noted real estate sales had rebounded in 2024, the labor market had stabilized with unemployment around 2.9%, and initial unemployment claims were below 2019 levels. At the same time, he highlighted challenges including inflation running above the national rate, a shrinking labor force, lower employment compared with 2023, and continued weakness in visitor spending and arrivals. He said future growth would likely come from health care, professional services, construction, tourism recovery, and diversified sectors such as renewable energy, aquaculture, creative industries, and technology.
Dr. Tian also discussed Hawaii’s economic structure and recovery, saying the state remains more concentrated in a few industries than the U.S. overall, with government and hospitality making up larger shares of the economy. He said non-tourism sectors had recovered, but tourism-related jobs and output were still below pre-pandemic levels, with Maui and the visitor industry still affected by the wildfire and COVID-19 impacts. He projected tourism and non-agricultural wage and salary jobs would not fully recover until 2027, and said population trends remain a concern because of aging, the likelihood of deaths outpacing births in coming years, and reliance on in-migration. After his presentation, the chair said questions would be taken later and the committee took a short break.
After the break, Dr. Carano of the Hawaii Executive Director’s office presented a second outlook, saying Hawaii’s economy in 2025 looked better than 2024 overall, though he emphasized substantial uncertainty tied to the incoming federal administration. He said possible changes to tariffs, tax policy, immigration, and federal spending could raise inflation and keep interest rates higher than previously expected, which would affect housing, consumer debt, the dollar, and Hawaii’s visitor industry. He noted that U.S. visitors account for roughly three-quarters of visitor spending in the state, making federal policy especially important. He also said deregulation could be a long-term positive but would not likely have much effect in 2025 or 2026. As an additional risk, he pointed to bird flu and its effect on livestock, poultry, and egg prices. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to the Hawaii State Senate. And Mr.
- And at this time, I see seated in the gallery this morning are students from the University of Hawaii
- Corey Saunders of the Hawaii Pharmacist Association, who helped coordinate this visit and also on behalf
- <00:37:52.240>
She <00:37:52.480>has University of Hawaii at Monoa. - She has University of Hawaii at Monoa.