Senate Floor

[Roll call]

The Chair has read the journal of the preceding day and approves the same. Are there any introductions this morning, Senator Kim?

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, today in the gallery, I'm really proud to present fifth graders from Fern Elementary School. They are the second half of a group of 80 students who visited the Capitol. I met with the other half earlier this morning, and I would like to welcome them along with the teachers.

And I would request that we add the names of all 80 students and their teachers to be in the Journal. So, Members, will you please help welcome our Fern Elementary School students. Welcome to your State Senate. Aloha.

And upon your submission of the names of the students and teachers to the Clerk, so ordered it be entered into the Journal. Further introductions, Senator Dela Cruz.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to recognize Mr. Michael Unamasami. Today, the Senate recognizes and celebrates Mike Unamasami's retirement from the University of Hawaii system. Joining Mike today on the floor is his wife Sharon, his son Troy, his daughter Tricia, and granddaughter Hailey. Let's give them a round of applause.

Also in the gallery is his former colleague and probably protege, Denise Yoshimori Yamamoto, and his friend Derek Inofuku, who works at hcc. You know, and Mike especially, he has such aloha spirit and he just keeps giving. And so his grandson works for us too. He's Trent, who works at it. So where is Trent?

In the booth. 55 more years and you can retire from Senate.

Exactly. Make sure you learn. Mike Unawasami's retirement from the UH system comes after 56 years of service. I was trying to get him to do 60. His dedication is evident in the impact he has made during this time with the University of Hawaii Community Colleges.

Mike implemented strategic capital improvements that transformed aging campuses and facilities into modern learning environment environments. He also helped community college transition to better serve workforce needs across the state, bringing increased relevance to these institutions in Hawaii's educational landscape.

Mike led efforts to advance culinary education in Hawaii with the Culinary Institute of the Pacific and the Wahiawa Value Added Center. He is a pioneer in sustainability, creating the energy savings performance contract for Oahu Community Colleges, one of the first such contracts in the state. You know, everyone sees Mike as this really nice guy.

I mean, we all do. Even I do. Except when you get him on the golf course, he's extremely intense. And Derek was the one that told me he always gets pressured if he has to play on Mike's team. And Mike has this normal way that he plays golf.

It's two guys, one kart versus the other, and it's so intense, only to win or lose. Lunch at Burger King. Above all, Mr. Unamusami is an exceptional leader, believing that no one is more important than another. The Senate celebrates his legacy lying in his tremendous contributions to the, uh, community college system and his true leadership.

He leaves behind a culture of collaboration and respect. And we will miss you. Mahalo, Mike.

Senator Kim.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would be remiss not to stand up and also congratulate Mike. I also tried to get him to stay on. He couldn't retire before me, but he is. But I want to state that Mike is not only my constituent of mine, but he also hails from Farrington High School.

Farrington alumni go govs with Senator Kidani and myself. And you know, we have a lot of Kali students up there that's probably going to end up at Farrington High School, so see all the leaders that come out of Kalihi. So Mike, we wish you the best. Thank you, Mr. President.

Is there anyone else? If not. Although there were several projects that I had the pleasure of working with Mike on, I think the project that will outlive the two of us and have the greatest impact, he implemented, installed and has phase one of the solar panels to energize Kaua' I Community College up and running.

And he was instrumental in getting phase two funded, planned. Well, it's not done yet shortly because Denise will exceed expectations based on the standard that Mike has set. The Kaua' I Community College will be 100% energy self sufficient with the solar program.

And the second phase, it will be a roof covering the parking lot that will be a benefit to students and faculty while at the same time delivering the renewable energy to the campus. So I would like to extend my thanks to you, Mike. We're going to ask you and your family to sit for five minutes patiently.

We'll finish the agenda and then the Members would like to come up and congratulate you, have pictures and then we can even invite your two friends to come down after we gavel out. Madam Clerk.

Mr. President, before you go on, I have to add the culinary school. He's going to be well known for the culinary school. So we have to add that in to your list. Thank you.

Yes. And I guess I should have said what will be remembered on Kauai, Senator Dela Cruz.

Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to add one more story just to show Mike's character, his tenacity, and how much he really wanted to contribute not just to Hawaii, but to his country. When he was young and he wanted to join the military, he was afraid that he wasn't going to be able to make weight.

But he was determined to join the military. So when he went in, he made sure that there were rocks in his shoes so that he could make weight. And so he's not just a good leader, he's committed, but he's also creative. So I just wanted to point that out.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. On page one, governor's message number 726 transmits a nomination to the Defender Council.

Governor's message number 726 is referred in accordance with the referral listed on the order of the day.

Governor's message number 1101 informs the Legislature that the Governor signed House Bill 1440, House Draft 1, into law as Act 1. File on page 2. House communication numbers 381 and 382 transmit various House bills which pass third reading in the House for first reading and referral to Committee. Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move the said House bills pass first reading by title and be referred to Committee in accordance with the referrals listed on the order of the day.

Senator Decourt.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Any. Any objections? If not, the motion is carried on.

Pages 2 and 3. Standing Committee report numbers 1075-1079 for adoption.

Senator Wakai. Mr. President, I move for the adoption of standing Committee reports numbers 1075 to 1079.

Senator DeCorte.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. Referrals and re-referrals. Referrals and re-referrals are made in accordance with the order of the day and any supplemental orders of the day that may be filed later today.

No further business. Mr.

President, are there any announcements today? Not. The chair has one. The deadline to file standing Committee reports on House bills with triple referrals with the Senate Clerk's office is 4:30pm this afternoon. Are there any further announcements? If not. Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move that the Senate stand adjourned to 11:30am tomorrow.

Senator DeCorte.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. If there are no objections from the Members, the Senate will stand adjourned until 11:30 am tomorrow.