Video & Transcript Research : 'Alaska Native tribes'
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HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Mar 31, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> I'm here to HCR 113 and HR 106 supporting the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group's
- 113 and HR 106 supporting the Native 113 and HR 106 supporting the Native Hawaiian<00:17:56.720>
- Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being used,
- The working group for Native Hawaiian intellectual properties has been doing good work.
- The The working group for Native is.
Summary:
The committee began with resolutions HCR 93 and HR 85, which ask the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, in collaboration with the Department of the Attorney General, to form a working group and report on ways to strengthen protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. The Attorney General’s office said it could support the effort as legal counsel to the commission but preferred not to be an active working-group member, and suggested the Legislative Reference Bureau could instead conduct a nationwide study for stakeholders. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the resolutions but urged broader scope to include prevention and intervention, expanded stakeholder membership, keeping the Attorney General involved, and adjusting the report deadline. Testimony in support also came from the Emoa Alliance, which emphasized the prevalence and harms of image-based abuse and the need for stronger protections. Members asked questions about current criminal and civil remedies, reporting barriers, and whether the commission could administer the effort without the Attorney General; no votes were taken on the resolutions during the excerpted discussion.
The committee then heard HCR 113 and HR 106, supporting the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group’s request for more resources and a timeline extension to fiscal year 2026-2027. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support, saying Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being commercialized and exploited without adequate protection, and that the working group needs more time, resources, and community consultation to complete its work. The committee noted six supporters and no opposition or comments.
The hearing also covered HCR 193 and HR 183, which would establish a court security and Department of Law Enforcement capacity working group to address staffing shortages and the use of private security at state courts. The Judiciary supported the intent, asked that the working group supplement rather than replace its budget request, and proposed allowing the chair to add members with relevant experience. In response to questions, Judiciary said it has requested $3.25 million for armed private security, which it said would cover about 18 contracted individuals, though with significant company overhead. The committee then moved through several bills: SB 2667, which restricts certain commercial vehicles and trailers from the far-left lane on multi-lane roads, received support from the Department of Transportation; SB 2851, which allows deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation for law enforcement access, drew testimony in support; SB 2521, which updates emergency vehicle rules and exempts EMS personnel from CDL requirements, received testimony from Honolulu Emergency Services; and SB 2466, which would make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only for cause, drew support from the League of Women Voters and opposition from Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, who argued the change could reduce accountability and create election disruptions if litigation over termination occurs.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/19/25
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And we have about 70% of the Native population living in urban centers.
- <00:05:23.680>
Today native peoples across the country. - Today native peoples across the country.
- <01:40:57.040>
So foreign for native English speakers. - So foreign for native English speakers.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education (2-24-26)
Postsecondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- students studying education who transfer to EKU complete on average an additional 24 hours beyond EKU native
- c><00:08:31.360>
with <00:08:32.039>8,000 <00:08:33.440>350 <00:08:34.640>native - and is compared with 8,000 350 native and is compared with 8,000 350 native students<00:08:35.719
- average an additional 24 hours<00:10:01.520>
beyond <00:10:02.120>EKU <00:10:02.720>native - <00:10:03.120>
students hours beyond EKU native students hours beyond EKU native students
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:00
Bills for Consideration:
26RS HB 94 – 2:40
26RS HB 307 – 15:00
Adjournment: 20:15, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education met with a quorum, welcomed new member Representative Beverly Chester-Burton, and recognized interns in attendance. The committee then took up House Bill 94, which would require the Council on Postsecondary Education to host an online transfer portal for students, require annual university updates to transfer data, and convene academic officers to study and report on streamlining high-demand pathways such as teaching and nursing. Representative Vanessa Grossl said the bill was revised in response to prior concerns and emphasized that the goal was to improve transparency, reduce time to degree, and lower student debt. Travis Powell of CPE supported the measure, saying the portal and study would improve transparency and help identify barriers to transfer.
The committee adopted the committee substitute for House Bill 94 and then passed the bill out favorably by roll call vote, sending it to the House floor. The committee also reconsidered House Bill 307, dealing with proactive postsecondary admissions, after earlier discussion and additional meetings. Chair James Tipton explained that the new substitute made several changes, including addressing a FERPA concern by having KDE share student information directly with universities, limiting social security number use to the last four digits plus date of birth, and adding provisions for KIA to include a link or QR code to the common online application in KEYS scholarship notifications.
Members adopted House Committee Substitute 3 for House Bill 307, with Representative Stalker noting support for the social security number change. The committee then passed House Bill 307 as amended with a favorable recommendation to the House floor. No other substantive actions were taken.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Wed Feb 5, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 13
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Why 25%, and perhaps are we discussing Hawaiians or Native Hawaiians?
- :49.279>
population <00:22:49.799>consists <00:22:50.120>of <00:22:50.279>native - the population consists of native the population consists of native Hawaiian<00:22:51.640>
it - <00:23:19.080>
Hawaiians discussing Hawaiians or native Hawaiians discussing Hawaiians or - native Hawaiians how<00:23:20.039>
are <00:23:20.159>we <00:23:20.360>accounting
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Mar 10th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, thank you, Madam Speaker, and today I rise on behalf of the Native American.
- Native culture honors our women as leaders and cultural bearers.
- Jade, a Yurok tribal member and mother, is an education leader for rural and native communities.
- An Oakland native, she is committed to increasing gender and racial equity and improving community health
- A Southern California native, San Bernardino County 3rd District Supervisor, Don Rowe, has served since
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CAA Info Briefing - Thu May 22, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:38:21.680>
Hawaiian Native Hawaiian Native Hawaiian um<00:38:24.640>uh <00:38:25.040 - <01:16:00.080>
What largest number of Native Hawaiians. - What largest number of Native Hawaiians.
- Native Hawaiians in<01:16:27.199>
the <01:16:27.360>future? - :16:44.640>
even <01:16:44.800>for native Hawaiians, you know, even for native Hawaiians
Summary:
The Committee on Culture and the Arts held an informational briefing on May 22 with the Hawaii Arts Alliance, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA), and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission. Chair Capella said the purpose was to better understand the organizations’ work and strengthen relationships ahead of the interim and next session. The Hawaii Arts Alliance, led by Executive Director Gay Humphrey, described its mission to enrich Hawaii’s cultural fabric through arts education, advocacy, and community engagement, and highlighted its history tied to Alfred Price, including the creation of Hawaii’s 1% for art law and the alliance’s 45 years of service.
The alliance outlined its current work, including administering SFCA-funded statewide programs such as Artist in the Schools and the new folk and traditional arts program, with 34 teaching partners serving more than 100 public and charter schools and Kumu Hawaii as the single grantee for traditional weaving instruction. It also discussed Arts First Partners, the incubation of Arts at Mark’s Garage, expanded advocacy efforts supported by Creative West grants, and new multi-year philanthropic support from the Hawaii Community Foundation and Atherton Family Foundation. The alliance said it is launching statewide listening sessions and an arts advocacy training program, and noted that most SFCA funds pass through the alliance to program partners, with the organization retaining 10 to 14 percent for administration.
SFCA Executive Director Karen Ewald then described the agency’s role as the state arts agency, its strategic planning process, and its main programs, including Art in Public Places, the Capital Modern museum, Artist in the Schools, apprentice mentoring grants, community arts grants, the Hawaii State Poet Laureate program, a statewide cultural extension program, and the Hawaii Open Arts Program. She said SFCA has 21 staff with one vacancy, is awaiting a federal NEA partnership agreement, and is considering new revenue streams such as a cultural trust. She also noted that the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission was recently attached to SFCA, which has improved coordination and allows SFCA to provide funding for conservation and upkeep of the King Kamehameha statues statewide. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, with questions deferred until after the presentations.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HRE-AEN, AEN, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 03-17-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I am a Native Hawaiian and a current undergraduate at the University of Hawaii.
- >
a <00:38:39.760>current a native Hawaiian and a current a native Hawaiian and a current - Science, innovation, indigenous, Native Hawaiian knowledge can guide us forward if we choose to act.
- As a Native Hawaiian, we are very attuned with the aa.
- As a Native Hawaiian, we stewardship.
Summary:
The joint committees heard House Bill 643, House Draft 2, which would create short-term management initiatives and appropriate funds for the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Committee discussion focused on biocontrol efforts, including fungus and virus-based treatments, the need for a biosecure facility, and the timeline for testing and range studies. Department of Agriculture officials said initial testing is underway at the University of Hawaii, but full testing requires a higher-biosafety facility that is not yet available on island. Members also discussed funding levels, the possibility of a mobile facility, and whether the work could be accelerated. The committees later voted to pass HB 643 unamended.
The committees also heard House Bill 736, House Draft 1, which would establish a three-year wastewater system and individual wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center. Supporters said the bill could help certify new, lower-cost decentralized wastewater technologies and reduce the cost of cesspool upgrades while improving water quality. University of Hawaii witnesses explained that the center would test technologies, collect samples, analyze results, and provide reports to the Department of Health for certification. Members raised concerns about whether the program would help communities facing immediate wastewater issues, the length of the testing timeline, and whether technologies like the Genki ball could be included. The committee was told the pilot would likely test one technology at a time over about nine months each, though multiple tests could run in parallel later. The committees voted to pass HB 736 unamended.
After those measures, the joint committee moved to an AEN-only agenda and began hearing STR 111 / SR 92, which declares a public health emergency relating to climate change and calls for statewide coordination on cross-sector solutions. Testimony in support came from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others. Supporters said climate change affects public health through heat, wildfire risk, invasive mosquitoes, and other impacts, and argued that the response should involve agriculture, planning, transportation, and emergency management, not just the Department of Health.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Tue Jan 13, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, June 25, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 22.560>
players <00:10:22.959>like ...attracting quality players like Brie Ellis, a native - This Wuku, Hawaii, native started all 65 games at shortstop during the season and turned in one of the
- recognition other island merchandise in recognition of<00:14:33.199>
his <00:14:33.440>native - <00:14:34.800>
He <00:14:35.040>joins <00:14:35.360>former of his native Hawaii - He joins former of his native Hawaii.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-02-27 - 11:30AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And we even heard, which was a surprise to us, that for some native English speakers, these videos are
- :50.880>
their with um English or or even with their with um English or or even with their native - :52.480>
And <00:40:52.800>we <00:40:53.119>even <00:40:53.359>heard, native - And we even heard, native language.
- <00:40:57.040>
English <00:40:57.440>speakers, <00:40:58.000>these some native
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HSH Info Briefing - Fri Nov 7, 2025 @ 1:30 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- :31:31.200>
Education decades, the Native Hawaiian Education decades, the Native Hawaiian Education - And then OHAS stepped up to help Native Hawaiian families.
- And then OHAS stepped up to help Native Hawaiian families. You know, who is missing?
- Are there kūpuna without children who are not Native Hawaiian?
- You know who are not native Hawaiian?
Summary:
The House Committee on Human Services held an informational briefing on the impacts of federal funding cuts, inflation, labor shortages, and chronic underfunding on Hawaii’s nonprofit social safety net. Hawaii Community Foundation opened with a story about a federal worker family relying on food pantry support, then described a “perfect storm” facing human services nonprofits: historically high demand, rising costs, staffing challenges, federal cuts, and state and county contracts that do not cover true service costs. The foundation said it has reactivated its Hawaii Resilience Fund, launched strengthened service grants, and is tracking policy changes and data to help nonprofits respond.
Trey Gordner of UHERO presented research on the vulnerability of Hawaii’s nonprofit sector, explaining a framework that assessed political, financial, and structural risk. He said about 8,200 501(c)(3) nonprofits are active in Hawaii, but only about 200 receive direct federal funds; 74 grants to 59 organizations were flagged as politically at risk, totaling about $126 million in unpaid obligations. He said about 68 of the direct-funding recipients rely on federal funds for more than 20% of annual revenue, and that human services nonprofits are among the most exposed subsectors because they serve vulnerable populations and depend heavily on federal support.
Catholic Charities Hawaii and the Hawaii True Cost Coalition said community-based organizations were already under strain before the current crisis, with most contracts not covering full costs and many groups depending on private philanthropy to fill gaps. They reported that half of surveyed organizations expect to reduce programs, more than a third may decline future contracts, and some are waiting months for reimbursements. Examples included reduced shelter admissions, fewer case management hours, and cutbacks in kūpuna services. The coalition urged higher contract rates, regular inflation and cost-of-living reviews, and timely reimbursement; no votes or formal actions were taken.
Partners in Development Foundation described the loss of Native Hawaiian education funding as especially damaging, saying the federal Department of Education has zeroed out support that creates a roughly $46 million gap, including about $20 million for early childhood programs. The speaker shared a family story from the Nā Pono program to illustrate how early learning services support both children and parents, and warned that the organization’s federal funds make up 72% of its budget. The briefing ended with a call for continued emergency funding and longer-term structural changes to sustain nonprofits statewide.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Oct 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Achievement gaps remain but are narrowing, especially for Native American and economically disadvantaged
- I point out that American Indian, Native American, and economically disadvantaged students are among
- Focused progress gains are evident, particularly among Native Americans.
- We see some modest gains from Hispanic students, and we see the largest achievement gains with Native
- Learning gaps for low-income students, English learners, Native students, and students with disabilities
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
SPEED Task Force (STF) - Tue Jan 6, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- native wine community, we are trying to get um native wines who are 30% or below AMI on vacant unmanaged
- native wine community, we are trying to get um native wines who are 30% or below AMI on vacant unmanaged
- native wine community, we are trying to get um native wines who are 30% or below AMI on vacant unmanaged
- for our native wine community, we are trying to get um native wines who are 30% or below AMI on vacant
- very sensitive issue I am not native very sensitive issue I am not native Hawaiian<01:33:52.880>
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- more important to manage the harvest of the native amaa population.
- more important to manage the harvest of the native amaa population.
- The Alma, a native Hawaiian fish, has been decreasing rapidly.
- fish and then it'll be forgotten native fish and then it'll be forgotten native Hawaiian<00:32:18.960
- And then, um, secondly, the gathering rights pertains only to native Hawaiian people.
Bills:
HB1817, HB2056, HB2616, HB1718, HB1842, HB1740, HB1919, HB1616, HB1774, HB1984, HB1603, HB2171
Keywords:
fishing regulation, ʻamaʻama, striped mullet, bag limit, overfishing, Hawaii fisheries, funding, appropriations, Honolulu, housing, construction, grant-in-aid, community development, Banyan Drive, Hawaii community development authority, cultural revitalization, special fund, public safety, economic development, affordable housing
Summary:
The committee heard HB 1817, which would create a daily bag limit for amaa/ama fish to protect Hawaii’s fisheries. DLNR said the biggest stressor on amaa populations is diversion of freshwater flows that cut off food sources for juvenile fish, and suggested that place-by-place rulemaking with fishers and stakeholders would be the most effective approach. A teacher and several Waialua Elementary students testified in strong support, describing research on declining catch data, cultural importance, and the need to preserve the fish for future generations. Other supporters said the fish is being outcompeted by invasive species and cited historical declines, including testimony that bag limits in Hilo Bay have helped increase populations.
Committee members asked DLNR about traditional and cultural gathering rights, whether the bill’s bag limit would apply to native Hawaiian practices, and whether the limit was 10 per day or per season. DLNR said constitutional Hawaiian practices are protected, but also noted that if the bag limit is set in statute it would limit the department’s flexibility to tailor rules by area. Members also asked about other conservation efforts, and DLNR said fish pond revitalization and amaa production are underway statewide. One member raised concern that a statewide statutory limit might not fit conditions on every island, and DLNR said it has authority to adopt area-specific rules through rulemaking, though that process can take months to more than a year.
The committee then moved to HP 206, an appropriations measure for the City and County of Honolulu involving school land transfers, and HP 266B relating to Banyan Drive. On HP 206, the county said the request is a one-time item and estimated costs were about $3.25 million, with the city and county already spending more than $350,000 on the transfers. On HP 266B, HCDA said it is conducting a master planning effort for Banyan Drive and plans a community visioning exercise this summer. Testimony from the Banyan Drive redevelopment agency emphasized the need for more flexible land-tenure rules, while OHA supported the bill with amendments to include cultural specialists and lineal descendants in the redevelopment process and to protect ceded lands. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Alaska is at 3% and handles it all through distributors.
- Alaska is at 3% and handles it all through distributors.
Keywords:
HF169, Minnesota insurance, health plan, summary of benefits and coverage, SBC, patient assistance program, deductible, health insurer, consumer disclosure, out-of-pocket costs, medical assistance funds, copay assistance, health coverage transparency, chapter 62Q, enrollee, HF195, Fairmont, street reconstruction, bonding bill, capital investment
MN
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HHS-WLA-HWN, AEN-HWN, HWN DEFER, HWN Public Hearings 02-12-2026
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Co-manager, Home Monopona LLC, Native Wine Advocacy Corporation, operating on the West Coast, and we
- here before this committee, with the Department of Wine Homelands and for any issues dealing with Native
- <00:04:17.120>
wine co-manager home monopona LLC native wine co-manager home monopona LLC - native wine advocacy<00:04:17.759>
corporation <00:04:18.160>operating <00:04:18.639> - Hawaiian that uh we dealing with native Hawaiian that uh we believe<00:04:32.320>
that <00:04:
Summary:
The Triple C committee heard SB 2799, relating to the Kalopa settlement. Testimony was largely supportive, with several individuals and homestead organizations urging passage and asking that Hawaiian Homes Commission, HHCA beneficiaries, and community representatives be included in transition planning. The Department of Health opposed the added reporting requirement as unnecessary and argued its role is limited to patient care, while committee members pushed back and emphasized the need for broader community input and landowner participation, especially from DHHL and DLNR. The chair recommended passage of SB 2799 unamended, with a committee report noting that the required May report should include the interagency transition working group timeline, proposed budget, and proposed procedures. The recommendation was adopted unanimously by the committees present.
The joint agenda also took up SB 2887, which would expand the important agricultural land qualified agricultural tax credit to include Hawaiian homelands used for subsistence or agricultural/pastoral purposes and broaden eligible costs to include orchard or fruit-bearing crops and clearing former sugar and pineapple lands. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the concept but requested amendments; the Department of Taxation and Department of Agriculture provided comments and information on administration and existing claims. The Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the intent but argued the bill should create a new tax credit in Chapter 235 rather than fold DHHL lands into the existing IAL credit. After discussion, the chair recommended passage with the Hawaii Farm Bureau’s amendments and technical changes, and both committees adopted that recommendation.
The Hawaiian Affairs committee then acted on several bills. SB 1406, SB 521, and SB 1654 were deferred indefinitely because the chair said related work was already underway and the committee wanted to avoid duplicative paperwork. SB 3247, relating to Mona Ala/Royal Mausoleum, was amended to convert the proposal into a Royal Mausoleum Working Group with periodic reporting and stakeholder input, and it passed with amendments. SB 112, SB 131, and SB 2443 were advanced with amendments that primarily deferred effective dates to keep the measures moving while discussions continue. The committee also noted that some measures were being deferred or reshaped to align with ongoing administrative or companion-bill processes, and the amended recommendations were adopted by the members present.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Mon Mar 10, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 28
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- receive what is rightfully theirs and continue to use the increased resources for the benefit of Native
- what is rightfully theirs and, in turn, continue to use those increased resources for the benefit of Native
- increased resources for the<00:15:46.040>
benefit <00:15:46.360>of <00:15:46.480>native - <00:15:47.160>
Hawaiians <00:15:48.160>with <00:15:48.319>all the benefit of native - Hawaiians with all the benefit of native Hawaiians with all of<00:15:48.519>
the <00:15:48.600
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 27 February, 2026; 9:00 AM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He's a Jackson, Mississippi native.
- He's a Jackson, Mississippi<00:04:03.000>
native. - <00:04:03.800>
He <00:04:03.960>graduated <00:04:04.640>from Mississippi native - He graduated from Mississippi native.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Hudson Hollandsworth, a senior at Pisgah High School sponsored by Representative Shanks. After the roll call, the clerk confirmed a quorum was present, and the House dispensed with reading the journal. There were no reports from select committees, no resolutions or memorials, and no items taken up from the calendar.
During introductions of guests, Representative Butler Washington introduced Dr. Fred Ken C. Jr. as the House doctor of the day. She noted that he is a Jackson native, a Provine High School graduate, an Alcorn State University graduate, a Navy veteran, an emergency medicine physician in Jackson, and a small business owner. The House welcomed him.
No announcements were made by the clerk or members, and no legislation was debated or voted on beyond routine procedural motions. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn and stood adjourned until 4:00 p.m. on Monday.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AEN/EEP/AGR Joint Info Briefing - Mon Feb 24, 2025 @ 1:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Hawaiian and Pacific such as native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders<00:45:39.960>
and Islanders - population is native Hawaii and Pacific<00:54:14.880>
Islander <00:54:15.880>uh <00:54: - And then we didn't really see any significant effects correlating when 1,3-D was a Native Hawaiian and
- And then we didn't really see any significant effects correlating when 1,3-D was a Native Hawaiian and
- And then we didn't really see any significant effects correlating when 1,3-D was a Native Hawaiian and
Summary:
This joint informational briefing of Senate and House committees focused on restricted use pesticides in Hawaiʻi, with opening remarks framing the issue as one of health, environmental impact, and state-level regulation. The briefing reviewed the history of pesticide disclosure efforts, including prior county actions, a 2016 court ruling that shifted responsibility to the state, and Act 45, which enabled disclosure of restricted use pesticide data. Speakers highlighted 2019 reporting data showing concentrated use in parts of Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, especially near schools and communities, and identified fumigants such as 1,3-dichloropropene and metam sodium as among the heaviest-used products. Concerns were raised about potential links to cancer, respiratory illness, reproductive harms, Parkinson’s disease, and developmental effects, as well as the lack of long-term mixture studies and the need for better buffer zones, reporting, and farmer transition support.
The Department of Agriculture’s pesticides program manager described the state’s regulatory framework, explaining the distinction between general use and restricted use pesticides and the department’s role under FIFRA and Hawaiʻi law. He outlined the branch’s enforcement, education/certification, registration, and laboratory functions, including inspections, complaint response, market surveillance, applicator certification, product review, groundwater protection modeling, and special registrations. He also noted staffing and resource limitations, including the absence of an in-house toxicologist and long-term monitoring capacity, and compared Hawaiʻi’s resources to California’s much larger pesticide regulatory program. He said the department supports Act 231, which was passed the previous year and is moving forward this session.
A pediatrician speaking for the Hawaiʻi chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasized concerns about chronic low-level pesticide exposure in children, citing AAP policy statements and technical reports that associate exposure with cancer, leukemia, birth defects, neurobehavioral issues, and asthma. Drawing on work with the Kauaʻi Joint Fact Finding Task Force, the speaker said the group found the west side of the island to be an unhealthy community but could not prove causation because of missing drift, geospatial, and biomarker data. The testimony pointed to elevated cancer mortality, pneumonia admissions, obesity, dialysis, and developmental delay indicators, and described concerns about pesticide drift near schools and homes, including reports of children becoming ill after nearby spraying and low levels of chlorpyrifos detected in dust samples.
An environmental health scientist from the University of Hawaiʻi described a pilot project using restricted use pesticide data in a public health context. She said the project began after seeing maps of Central Oʻahu pesticide use and aimed to pair GIS data with health and ethnicity data, while also conducting community focus groups. Preliminary focus group themes included calls to action, voting and policymaker awareness, concern about pesticide use near homes and fields, lack of community consent, and a desire to stay engaged. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.