Video & Transcript Research : 'Hawaii education system'

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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

PBS Public Hearing - Wed Feb 18, 2026 @ 10:00 AM HST

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, this is Hawaii.
  • You know, this is Hawaii. schools. You know, this is Hawaii.
  • After filing a Hawaii<00:26:38.720> rule Hawaii rule Hawaii rule rule<00:26:40.799> 40<
  • not a system.
  • So the system is people in the system.
Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1997, which would require IEPs for students with disabilities to include individualized emergency accommodations and evacuation supports. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended amendments to explicitly include students with Section 504 plans and to change references from “department schools” to “public schools” so charter school students are covered. Testimony in support came from disability advocates and several individuals, including Peter Fritz, who said emergency evacuation planning should be made explicit because it is not clearly required by federal law, and Ka Swan, who emphasized student safety during emergencies. No vote or final action was taken on the bill in the transcript. The committee then took up House Bill 2343, relating to the Maui State Veterans Home. The measure would repeal a deadline for transferring the home to a state agency with a Maui affiliation and instead require the transfer to occur as soon as practicable. The Department of Defense, the Office of Veterans Services, HHSC Oahu Region, and several individuals testified in support. Committee members asked whether a more definite deadline should be used, but the department said the open-ended language was preferable because the Maui entity is not yet ready and Oahu is currently providing oversight. No vote or final action was recorded. House Bill 2566, authorizing special license plates for Hawaii Civil Air Patrol members, was also heard. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services testified in opposition, while Johnny Perry testified in support. The committee did not take a vote in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment compensation procedures. The Attorney General’s office opposed the bill, arguing it would create an automatic payment mechanism without a sufficient finding of actual innocence, could trigger payments within five days of dismissal, and raised concerns about insufficient time for prosecution review and about funding and appropriation issues. Supporters, including people who said they had been wrongfully convicted and later found actually innocent, argued the bill would reduce delays and help released individuals survive while awaiting compensation. Judiciary staff requested technical amendments and said operational details still needed review. Members questioned the AG about the meaning of “actual innocence,” burden shifting, and whether the bill would better define the standard, but no vote or final action was taken.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 04-21-2026 12:00pm

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, mahalo to both of you for stepping forward, and welcome to your Hawaii State Senate.
  • stepping forward, and welcome<00:05:04.600> to<00:05:04.720> your<00:05:04.920> Hawaii
  • Draft 2 relating Senate Bill 3144 House Draft 2 relating to<00:08:45.600> the<00:08:45.720> Hawaii
  • /c><00:08:46.160> Occupational<00:08:46.800> Safety<00:08:47.240> and to the Hawaii
  • Occupational Safety and to the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health<00:08:47.720> Law.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EDU-LBT, EDU Public Hearings 02-06-2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill relates to the safety of educational workers, requires the Department of Education and public
  • Hawaii Hawaii >> or<00:21:35.440> Dborah?
  • Commerce of Hawaii in support. Commerce of Hawaii in support.
  • position as education. position as education.
  • Senate Bill 2391 relating to education. Senate Bill 2391 relating to education.
Summary: The joint committee first heard SB 3179, which would require the Department of Education and charter schools to report harassment incidents involving educational workers and adopt procedures for handling them. DOE supported the bill, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying amendments to limit the measure to harassment directed at workers because of their position, to limit DOE legal assistance to temporary restraining order actions, and to clarify whether the harassment must come from outside the school system. Members also discussed whether the bill should cover non-DOE individuals on campus, whether investigations could be handled in-house, and whether training should be embedded in existing workday or school-year training rather than added as a separate requirement. The committee later voted to pass the bill with amendments as SD1. The committee then took up SB 2872, which would require retired teachers or administrators rehired into shortage or hard-to-fill positions to be paid the entry-level salary for that position. DOE supported the bill, and the Attorney General requested clarifying language about its effective date and that it would not affect already matured rights and duties. The Employees’ Retirement System administration emphasized that the bill should retain a 12-month break in service to preserve the pension system’s tax-exempt status and noted the importance of consistent classification of eligible positions. Members expressed support for using retired educators to help fill staffing gaps, but no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard SB 2391, which would provide annual step increases for public school teachers under bargaining unit 5, subject to funding. The Attorney General said the bill could conflict with collective bargaining procedures and Chapter 89, while DOE said unit 5 includes more than teachers and asked that the benefit be considered for other bargaining units as well, with funding provided if enacted. HSTA strongly supported the measure, arguing that annual step movement is already recognized in the collective bargaining agreement as a recruiting and retention tool. Testimony totals were noted as 16 in support, two in opposition, and three comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 3282, which would establish a statewide framework for the federal workforce Pell Grant program to fund short-term workforce education and training. The Attorney General suggested clarifying that the matter is one of statewide concern because UH is involved. UH and the Chamber of Commerce supported the bill, and DLIR testified that it is coordinating with DOE, the Workforce Development Council, and national groups on implementation. Members questioned whether the Workforce Development Council or DLIR should handle rulemaking and administration, and DLIR said the council is advisory while the department has grant administration expertise. The committee then moved into decision-making after discussion of possible amendments and implementation concerns.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

JDC DEFER, JDC-EDU Public Hearings 02-12-2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • welfare system. welfare system. well<00:00:48.960> minors<00:00:49.840> and<00:00:
  • > Association executive director, Hawaii Association executive director, Hawaii Association of
  • Hawaii. Um, this bill is fundamentally Hawaii.
  • > not<00:07:08.880> commercial educational gifts, not commercial educational gifts, not
  • options in the court system. options in the court system.
Bills: SB3123
Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up three measures in decision-making. SB 2678, which would create a Judiciary working group to improve family court processes and youth access to legal representation in the child welfare system, was recommended for passage with amendments. The amendments would clarify that members with lived experience are those who have navigated the state child welfare system, replace an actively serving guardian ad litem with a former GAL, allow co-chairs to invite additional experts, and provide compensation for lived-experience members. The committee report would also recommend a $20,000 appropriation, and the motion passed without objection. SB 2528, a Campaign Spending Commission proposal to expand the partial public financing program and raise expenditure limits, was also recommended for passage with amendments and adopted without objection. The committee’s changes would increase the public-funds match to 4:1, raise the maximum public funding available to 20% for statewide executive offices and 25% for legislative and certain county offices, blank out the appropriation in the bill, and instead recommend $7.2 million in the committee report. Technical amendments would also rename the program for consistency and set the bill’s effective date to March 22, 2075. In a joint Judiciary/Education hearing, SB 3123 drew extensive testimony in support from the Governor’s office, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, Hawaiian Council, Kamehameha Schools, and many private-school and community representatives. Supporters said the bill would clarify that donor-funded scholarships, grants, and tuition-free educational programs are charitable gifts rather than contractual obligations, giving donors and schools greater certainty and preserving educational access. Some members questioned whether the bill could affect Kamehameha Schools’ admissions practices or allow schools to avoid donor conditions; witnesses responded that the measure is intended to clarify donor intent, not change admissions, and that an opt-out clause would preserve the ability to create contractual agreements if the parties choose. The discussion ended with the bill still under consideration, with no final vote reflected in the transcript excerpt.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN Public Hearing 03-23-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • Shaw, Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii. Shaw, Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii.
  • Brian Mimoto, Hawaii Farm, was down in support. And we had the Hawaii Cattleman's Council.
  • , Hawaii Farm Brian Mimoto, Hawaii Farm was<00:03:26.640> down<00:03:28.000> in<00:03:28.239
  • Hawaii Farm is down in Farm Bureau. Hawaii Farm is down in support. support. support.
  • Hawaii. So available for any questions. Hawaii. So available for any questions.
Summary: The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. HB 1953 would create a two-year conservation and environmental stewardship pilot program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB); testimony from Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii supported investing in conservation agriculture and farm practices that protect waterways and native species. HB 248 would establish a climate-resilient food systems grant program, with DAB explaining the types of equipment and processing investments such grants could support, such as coffee roasting, packaging, harvesting equipment, and other value-added infrastructure. HB 2246 would create a grant administration program and revolving fund to help DAB manage grants; DAB said the bill would help leverage federal, state, county, and private funding by retaining part of the indirect cost recovery to meet matching requirements. HB 2549 would create a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material, and reforestation advocates said it would support large-scale reforestation efforts. HB 2551 would fund an area fruit fly suppression program; DAB described sterile fruit fly technology and said the program could help reduce fruit fly populations statewide. HB 2216 would authorize DAB to package and sell part of its loan portfolio to third parties, and HB 2152 would clarify liability and penalties for dog attacks on livestock, with the Hawaii Sheep and Goat Association discussing proposed language and the Hawaiian Humane Society’s suggested amendment on euthanasia procedures. Testimony was largely supportive across the measures, with DAB, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and other agriculture and conservation groups generally backing the bills. There was some discussion on funding levels and implementation details, including DAB’s estimate of about $750,000 for three clean plant stations and a question about the appropriations needed for the fruit fly suppression program. For HB 2152, the chair noted an amendment incorporating Hawaiian Humane Society language that would require surrender of a dog found to have caused livestock loss or damage for humane euthanasia within 24 hours. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass all of the measures discussed, most with technical amendments or date-defect amendments to July 1, 2050. HB 1953, HB 2548, HB 2549, HB 2551, HB 2216, and HB 2152 were all adopted unanimously by the members present, and HB 2246 also passed with technical amendments. The chair’s amendment to HB 2152 was specifically adopted to include the humane euthanasia language.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-HHS, HHS Public Hearings 03-23-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • But even the maintenance and the upkeep of whatever systems are put in, they're still disposal systems
  • But even the maintenance and the upkeep of whatever systems are put in, they're still disposal systems
  • system. And that's the challenging part. system. And that's the challenging part.
  • As the outreach and education.
  • Toilet systems?
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several cesspool-related measures. HB 1730 HD2 would create a cesspool conversion implementation working group to help the Department of Health review rules and practices and develop changes to make conversions more affordable. DOH and DLNR stood on written testimony, while environmental and wastewater advocates strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the need for dedicated staffing, technical expertise, and smaller, more focused advisory groups. Members discussed the high cost of upgrades and the need for new technologies that reduce excavation and leach field costs. The bill was passed with amendments, including clarifying the DOH director’s discretion over the size of the working group, and the committee noted DOH’s appropriation request for consideration. HB 1985 HD1 would extend certain cesspool conversion deadlines and authorize funding for consultants, while also advancing outreach and education. Testimony split sharply: advocates supported the education component but opposed deadline extensions as premature, arguing the state still has many years before the 2050 mandate and should not weaken the conversion timeline. The committee agreed to amend the bill to delete the deadline-extension portion, keep technical changes, and note DOH’s position request. HB 1749 HD2 would require sellers to disclose cesspools to buyers before a real estate purchase contract is executed and direct DOH and the Real Estate Commission to create a standardized form. Realtors supported the intent but asked to avoid duplicative statutory form requirements, and advocates stressed that disclosure should be prominent and not buried in paperwork. The committee adopted amendments removing the standardized-form mandate and passed the bill. HB 1921 HD2 would allow certain existing cesspools in priority level three areas to continue serving dwellings with additional bedrooms under conditions. DOH brought the measure, and supporters from the real estate and environmental sectors discussed innovative wastewater technologies, retrofits, and composting toilets as ways to reduce costs while improving treatment. The committee amended the bill to require DOH director-approved wastewater technology using solid waste separation for bedroom-count increases and to clarify priority-level determinations using block-level data from the Hawaii cesspool prioritization tool, then passed it. The committee also heard HB 2310, an emergency appropriation for the Department of Human Services to restore funding used to keep SNAP benefits flowing during the federal shutdown; DHS, public health, children’s advocates, and others supported it, and members questioned why it was not handled through the budget. The discussion clarified that the bill sought new money to move quickly for ACA-related premium support. No final vote on HB 2310 was shown in the excerpt.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • We have the Hawaii State Public Library System in support. Good afternoon.
  • One quick question for the Hawaii State Library System.
  • Library System in >> Uh Hawaii State Public Library System in support. support. support. from<
  • Um, the Employees' Retirement System of the State of Hawaii in opposition.
  • Um, the Employees' Retirement System of the State of Hawaii in opposition.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • We have the Hawaii State Public Library System in support.
  • My name is Jesse Suki, Deputy Superintendent of Operations for the Hawaii Department of Education.
  • Hawaii State Public Library System<01:46:12.400> in<01:46:12.639> support.
  • c> and the Hawaii Board of Education and the Hawaii Board of Education and support<01:46:25.520><
  • affairs with the University of Hawaii affairs with the University of Hawaii system.<01:47:02.480
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • We have SCR 21 SD1 requesting the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, East Hawaii Regional Health Care
  • We have SCR 21 SD1 requesting the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, East Hawaii Regional Health Care
  • <00:12:05.320> Health<00:12:05.640> Systems<00:12:06.280> Corporation, uh Hawaii
  • Health Systems Corporation, uh Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, and<00:12:08.240> about<00:
  • adult prison system. adult prison system.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 21 SD1, which asks Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s East Hawaii Regional Health Care System to study the feasibility of a rural health clinic or similar access point for the Volcano community. Testimony in strong support came from HHSC representatives, Volcano residents, the Volcano Health Collaborative, the Rotary Club of Volcano, and others, who said the area has a clear need and that local primary and urgent care would align with regional plans. HHSC said it had already looked at the area, found no suitable temporary buildings, and would need a longer-term, capital-intensive solution, but that the study could help accelerate next steps. The committee then took up SCR 50 SD1, proposing a Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design a basic affordable health plan for residents. Dr. Jack Lewin of SHIPTA said the state faces a growing uninsured population and argued for a short-term, lower-cost plan focused on preventive and primary care, drawing on the old State Health Insurance Plan as a possible model. Members asked about whether that prior program still exists and whether the working group should include the Hawaii Medical Association and Hawaii Primary Care Association; Dr. Lewin said the statute still exists but is unfunded, and that the group should be inclusive. The Department of Labor and other organizations also provided comments. For SCR 75 SD1, which urges a coordinated interdepartmental effort to reduce fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, Dr. Lewin and others said prevention, prenatal screening, and early intervention are needed because FASD is often hidden until later problems appear. Amanda from Hawaii FASD Action Group said current implementation under Act 192 is still largely a landscape analysis and that Hawaii lacks the infrastructure and specialists for a full system. Darlene Chance Govor urged adding the judiciary as a partner so juvenile justice and probation staff can be trained and referral pathways improved, while the Department of Health said it supports prevention but prefers a broader, systems-based approach focused on child needs and upstream care. The Disability Rights Center supported the resolution and asked for an earlier reporting date. The committee also heard SCR 149 SD1, which seeks an informal working group to address complex patients with multiple diagnoses involving substance use, mental health, or chronic physical illness. The Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition and Ke Nui Malo strongly supported the measure, saying current siloed systems leave people bouncing between medical, mental health, and substance use providers without coordinated care, often ending up in crisis, emergency rooms, or the justice system. They said integrated residential care and a coordinated working group could improve outcomes and align with federal funding opportunities. The transcript ended before any final vote or action on the measures was announced, and SCR 109 was noted as withdrawn from the agenda.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • We also have support from DAGS, the Hawaii State Department of Education, the Office of Homeland Security
  • State Department of Dags, Hawaii State Department of Education,<00:06:08.840> the<00:06:08.920
  • And Hawaii— Department.
  • Hawaii State Capitol. Hawaii State Capitol.
  • Hawaii Department of Defense. Hawaii Department of Defense.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 325 Conference PM - Thu Apr 23, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • That brings us to SB 2247 in the Campaign Spending Commission filing system.
  • . system. system.
  • This is the Hawaii Penal Code Advisory Committee recommendation.
  • This is relating to discrimination or the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission.
  • <00:52:50.000> Civil discrimination with the Hawaii Civil discrimination with the Hawaii Civil
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

House Chamber - Thu Apr 23, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 50

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • individual Hawaii.
  • Awareness this month, which for Hawaii Awareness this month, which for Hawaii means<00:11:52.320
  • Care, Department of Health, Hawaii Care, Department of Health, Hawaii Primary<00:12:40.400> Care
  • May I please enter their names Hawaii.
  • Hawaii Hawaii will<00:50:06.040> not<00:50:06.280> tolerate<00:50:06.800> conduct