House Floor

Will the House come to order? Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Excused.

[Roll Call]

Excuse.

[Roll Call]

Madam Speaker, 49 Members are present. Two are excused.

Item number two, reading of the journal. Representative Morikawa. Madam Speaker, may this matter be deferred. So ordered. Item number three, messages from the Governor. Mr. Clerk, are there any messages from the Governor?

Yes, Madam Speaker, we're in receipt of message number seven, transmitting the Commission on Salaries Report and recommendations to the 2025 Legislature. May this matter be received and filed.

So ordered. Item number four. Senate Communications. Mr. Clerk, are there any Senate communications?

Yes, Madam Speaker. We're in receipt of communications transmitting the noted Senate Concurrent Resolutions, both having been adopted in the Senate.

Introductions, Members, are there any introductions? Representative Amato.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am so pleased to welcome students from Kihei Charter School today. Please rise and remain standing as I call your name. Michael May and Mia Rutherford in grade seven, Catalina Perry and Maddox De La Favave in grade 12. Members, please hold your applause. Grade five. Let's see, we have Lily Rutherford.

And we have Finley Haslett, the keiki of one of Kihei Charter School's teachers. Students from Kihei, welcome to your House of Representatives. If I may, Madam Speaker, I appreciate those who work so hard to educate our youth. I am pleased to also welcome the staff and administrators from key HR Charter School.

We have Brandon Haslet, high school engineering teacher. Ryan Tregilgas, sixth grade science teacher. We have Michael Stubbs with us today, the head of Kihei Charter School. And last but absolutely not least, we have Gene Zaro, Hawaii Public Charter School Network Chair and Governing Board Vice Chair.

Gene worked tirelessly for decades to make sure we had a high school in key of which I'm so filled with gratitude. Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Members. Are there Further introductions, Representative Matsumoto.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today we had the honor and privilege we had our annual Capital Talking Tour where districts, Members and constituents from Mililani come out to learn about the Capitol. I'm sure you all heard us as we were going around today, but I would like to be recognized. So if you can all stand. And.

Welcome to your House of Representatives. Thank you, Speaker. And if I could have their names inserted into the journal so ordered. If I could have one more introduction. It's a very special day for me. I don't often have my family here, but I'm able to have my father, Michael Cheep, my mother, Sharon Cheep.

And very special to me, I have my grandmother who is almost 95 years old, Suzanne Peterson here. And she, because it's Women's History Month, she was the first female Director of Agriculture in the State of Hawaii under both Governor Ariyoshi and Governor Waihe. And so happy to have her here today. Grandma, welcome to your House of Representatives.

Thank you, Representative Kila.

Madam Speaker, colleagues, if you folks would do me the absolute pleasure to introduce some amazing Golden Hawks from Nanakuli High Intermediate School today. Please rise and your name is called. And I ask that you folks hold your applause until the last name is called. I have amazing students here participating at the Hawaii State Capital Education Week.

From the Nanakuli High and Intermediate School Robotics team, I have David Melchor, Rickson Falencico, Jalen Pablo, and accompanied by Mr. Enright and Principal David Kananyal. Pol you. He's the 8th grade assistant principal and our CTA. And then Mr. Enright is the CTA coordinator at Nanakuli High Intermediate School.

Members Erickson and David also took first place at the USA CTSO Mobile Robotics Category 2024. And they're continuing to represent Hawaii in the World Championships this summer. And they are a proud jewel and light for Nanakuli High and the valley of Nanakuli. Welcome to your Hawaii State House of Representatives and Hawks, baby.

Representative Lee.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. We have Members of the Honu Bots Or Else Robotics team in Kylo elementary here today. Please stand and be recognized.

Jackson Kelly, Ezra Oliver Matea Kaylee, accompanied by coach Greg Kent, recipient of the Presidential Award of Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, Principal Allison dy and fifth grade teacher and leader of Sustainable Gardening, David Thacker. Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Marten.

Thank you. I have the honor of welcoming Enchanted Lakes elementary students and faculty today, including their principal, Noel Richardson, who was recently recognized by by the Association of School Administrators. If all of the students and Chandler Lake. Oh, just you now. Okay. Please welcome them to their House of Representatives. Thank you.

Representative Alcos.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In the gallery I have my two grandkids. David, can you please stand up? And my grandson, Bobby Dazin, also with my daughter Tiffany, and Sheila Medeiros, she's my session staff. Can you guys please stand up? Welcome to the House of Representatives.

Speaker Ichiyama.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's not often that we have Members from Kaupaa warriors here. Kapaa High School. So I'm really excited. Can you please all stand? Representing the academies at Kapaa High School. Stan, can you stand? Okay. We will ask permission to enter their names into the journal.

So ordered, Representative Kahaloa.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm so grateful to see all the students here today. There's buzz on the fourth floor and we got to learn a lot about some of the work they're doing on their campuses. There are students here from my district from Kahakai Elementary.

I do not see them in the gallery today, but we do have our complex area Superintendent, Jeanette Snelling, who might be hiding. Give us a nice wave. She is our cast from the Konawa Kohala. Wait, see, I always mix up the order. Honaka, Kealakehe, Kohala and Konawa complex area. That's like half the island.

So, Janette, welcome to your House of Representatives.

Members. Are there any further introductions? Representative La Chica

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In continuation of our celebration of Education Week, and as you heard from many of our Members, on behalf of the committees of Education, Chair Woodson and I would like to extend our mahalo for helping us to celebrate the wonderful work and talent of our students across the state.

You can all see them in our fourth floor lanai, but I will just wanted to highlight all the schools that are took time out of their spring break to be celebrating with us today. So if you do hear your school names, please stand. And please remain standing.

Many of them are either making their way over or being interviewed by the media outside. So that's probably why they're currently not in the gallery. So first we have Campbell High School. We have Dole Middle School, Enchanted Lakes Elementary School, Fern Elementary School, Hawaii Tech Academy, Hilo High School, Hokulani Elementary School, Honuuliuli Middle School, Kahakai High School.

Kailua Elementary School, Kamali Academy, Kanoilani Elementary School, Kanuka Aina, Kapaa High School, Kau High School, Kauna Kai High School, Kekula Nihau, Kekaha Highkaha. Yes.

Kekula o navahi o Kalani opuu Iki Lab Public Charter School, Keau High School, Kihei Charter School, Kohala Middle School, Koloa Elementary School, Lahaina Intermediate School, Lelehua High School, Lihikai Elementary School, Mililani High School, Moanalua Middle School, Nanakuli High School, Pahala Elementary School, Pukulani Elementary School, Puahala Elementary School, Bradford High School, Waiahola Elementary School, Waiakea Intermediate School, Waianae High School, Waipahu Elementary School and Washington Middle School.

And Madam Speaker, permission to enter all our school's names into the journal.

So ordered.

Colleagues, please help us welcome them into House of Representatives.

Representative La Chica, do you have another introduction?

One more permission. Introduction. Madam Speaker, I just wanted to welcome.

The students are not here today, but I did want to welcome my very own principal, who's also otherwise known as our tallest Doe principal in our state. Principal Neil Blomberg from Kanoilani Elementary School. Welcome to your House, Representatives. Oh, my students just made it. Hold on. Welcome my students, Tayo Adams, Rhiann Ramos and Benjamin Shepard. Please wave.

Say hello.

Representative Quinlan.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In the gallery today we have a very special young man, A friend of my son's. He loves building F1 Legos. Foggy Lucica. Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Lee Loy.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I have the great honor of of introducing our pharmacology students from UH Hilo. From the Daniel K. Inouye School of Pharmacy, along with my health Chair. If I could introduce you and you please stand. We have nane alum Daniel Lee, Andrew Jones, J.J.

labio, Paula Vero Munoz, Roni Kirsten Kasai, Alisa Fulinara, Verne Florendo Kamahao Kini Lopez, Sierra Fujimoto, Stephanie Selp, Charisse Villanueva, Zachary James Corpuz, Jadel Tapeng, along with the Dean Ray Matsumoto and their fearless advocate, Corey Sanders. Welcome the Vulcans to your House of Representatives.

Members. Are there any further introductions, Representative Ilagon?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am delighted to introduce to you one of the best newsletter creator Arcaz. Our complex area supervisor, Stacy Bellows by the window. She makes amazing newsletters to keep us informed of what's happening in our public school as well. Accompanying her is the Srs. Christopher Ho. On the distance. There he is, waving his hand.

Well, can we all welcome them to your House of Representatives.

Members? Any further introductions, Representative Woodson?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I don't know if he's in the gallery. Right now he might still be outside. But if the State Superintendent, Keith Hayashi is here. Superintendent here. He is not. We can clap for him anyway.

Okay, Members, if there are no further introductions, we'll turn now to the order of the day. Item number five, floor presentations. Mr. Clerk, are there any floor presentations?

Yes, Madam Speaker. We have one floor presentation today. House Resolution number 210, congratulating the 2025 Hawaii Public Charter School Teacher of the year and the 2025 teachers of the Year for school complex areas in the Leeward District, Hawaii District and Maui District. This resolution is offered by Representative Keela.

Representative Kila.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move to adopt the resolution.

Representative Woodson.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I second.

It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. Is there any discussion? Representative Kila?

Follow. Madam Speaker. At this time, I'd like to defer to my colleague from St.

Louis Heights, representative Sayama.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm in support.

Please proceed.

On behalf of the Hawaii State House of Representatives, I'd like to extend our deepest thanks and aloha to the students, teachers and faculty who are the cornerstones of Hawaii's communities. Today we honor outstanding teachers who have gone above and beyond to provide for their students in school.

Every year, educators are selected statewide for the demonstration of personal achievement, leadership and innovative instruction. These teachers work tirelessly in and out of school to ensure that our Keiki are well equipped to excel and pursue their goals. It is my pleasure to recognize the 2025 Hawaii Public Charter School Teacher of the Year, Ms. Robin Barrows.

If you please stand. In her time at Seeks Charter School, Ms. Barrows held various roles including yearbook coordinator, faculty representative for HSTA Volleyball Club, advisor and Member of the school leadership team.

As a dedicated co learner and collaborator, she designed and taught a wide range of art courses including sculpture, nature based art, multimedia electives and interdisciplinary sustainable classes. Ms. Barros is deeply committed to her community advocating for Hawaii's people, land and culture. Please join me to congratulate our 2025 Hawaii Public Charter School Teacher of the Year, Ms.

Robin Barrows. I yield to my colleague from Nanakuli.

Representative Kila in support. Please proceed.

Malo. Madam Speaker, today I am honored to congratulate Ms. Tenelle Clark from our our Waianae Nanakuli complex as a 2025 Leeward Teacher of the Year. Ms. Clark has spent the last five years creating meaningful learning experiences with her fourth and fifth grade students.

She is a proud resident of the Nanakuli and Waianae area and she feels a deep sense of purpose in the work that she does as an educator. Ms.

Clark has spearheaded quarterly Career days and is a student led career fair to expose all of our students to various career and trade pathways tailored to the diverse needs and interests of her students. Creating a platform for all of our students to explore their future aspirations. Ms.

Clark serves as a mentor to aspiring teachers and as a grade level chair at Waianae Elementary School, promoting an inclusive and supportive learning environment. She views her achievements as a reflection of our community and is committed to continuing her efforts to inspire and support our future generations. Colleagues and guests, please join me in honoring Ms.

Tenelle Clark for her ongoing contributions in our community as our leeward teacher for the Nanakuli Waianae Complex of the Year. At this time, Madam Speaker, I'd like to yield to my colleague from Puna Makai, Representative Ilagon.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in strong support for a dagger who I am going to strongly congratulate. Ms. Leah Groker. Thank you. For standing for being named the 2025 Kaukeau Pahoa Complex Teacher of the Year. Ms. Groker, she is one fiery lady.

You know, I gotta say, when I visited the high school because she cornered me and actually got me to the school, as I was walking, I realized how much of a celebrity she is. All the students just flocks to her and goes to her and.

And it just shows how much she cares for the students and the school. Ms. Groker is committed to her community. Not only is she so involved with her teaching and in the classroom, it also shows outside of the classroom and that passion comes out to the community and I can understand why she was chosen.

There's a lot more to say here. She also handled the holaulea for our school. She's out there advocating for our lands. She wants so much more for our kids, especially for their future and also for our community. So without further ado, Ms. Leah Groker for being our Keau Kau Pahoa Complex Teacher of the Year.

Please, let's all give her a round of applause. Madam Speaker, I yield to my colleague from H Lualoa, Representative Kahaloa.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In support, please proceed. I have the honor of recognizing Ms. Carla Viviana Mar Martinez. Please stand. As the 2025 Honoka Kealakehe Kohala Konawaena Complex Teacher of the Year. Ms. Martinez is the English Language learner, coordinator and English Language Arts teacher at Konawaena High School.

Having taught in the Honoka Kealakehe Kohala Konawaena complex area since 2014. Beyond her teaching role, she she is deeply involved in community engagement, collaborating with organizations like the Hawaii Island Community Health center and mentoring young leaders through service learning. As the Pacific and Asian affairs council club advisor, Ms.

Martinez uses her training and lived experience to lead efforts supporting multilingual learners and her advocacy has led to statewide legal protections for immigrant children, the creation of a parent Engagement network for multilingual families in South Kona, and the establishment of a multilingual empowerment center at her school. Please join me in recognizing Ms.

Carla Viviana Martinez as our Honokaa Kealakehe Kohala Konawaena Complex Teacher of the Year. I now yield to my colleague from Kihei, Representative Amato.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in strong support. It is my pleasure to recognize Ms. Jessie O' Neill Prest. Please rise as the 2025 Baldwin KE Kaulike Kulanihakui Maui Complex T Teacher of the Year. Ms.

O'Neill Prest has been a trusted colleague, teacher, mentor and active Member of the Kihei or as I call it, Kulakai community for over 16 years, using her academic expertise to champion literacy, arts integration, place based learning and aquatics.

As the curriculum coordinator at Kihei Elementary School, he has provided promoted creativity and inclusivity while enhancing education through community partnerships. Ms. O' Neill Prest is involved with local organizations like Island Aquatics and Grow Some Good, an organization I worked with to plant a school garden at the school over a decade ago.

Some of her notable projects include rebuilding the school library, creating the school garden, establishing an electives Department, designing a new school OLI in collaboration with alumni and cultural practitioners. Please join me in congratulating Ms. O'Neill Press on behalf of the House of Representatives.

I would like to also thank the guests in the gallery who have joined us to recognize our awardees. Welcome to your House of Representatives. Madam Speaker. I request that their names be inserted into the journal.

So ordered. Members, any further discussion? Okay. Saying none. We'll be taking a voice vote. All those in favor say aye. The motion is carried. Representative Keela, please proceed with the certificate and lay presentation.

There's.

The chair will call a recess to allow the members of the House to meet and congratulate the honorees. Recess. Will the House come to order? Item number six, Reports of Standing Committees. Representative Todd.

Madam speak. Oh. Madam Speaker, I move to adopt Standing Committee Report numbers 1381 through 1405 as listed on pages two through seven and that the accompanying house bills as may be amended as second reading and or be referred to their designated committees.

Senate bills?

Yes, senate Bills. That good. All right.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

So ordered.

No vote.

Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker. I second the motion.

No vote.

Okay, members, is there any discussion on these items, starting with the top of page two, Standing Committee Report number 1381, Representative Muraoka? Oh no, you're sitting down. Okay. Standing Committee Report 1382, Representative Garcia.

So ordered. Representative Souza.

Same request.

Standing Committee Report 1383, Representative Garcia.

So ordered. Representative Miyake.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

No vote.

No vote.

No vote.

With reservations.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Lamosao.

So ordered. Representative Matsumoto.

So ordered. Standing Committee Report 1384. Representative Pierick.

When you get time, can we go back to 1382?

Okay, let's finish. Standing Committee Report 1384. Representative Souza.

So ordered. Thank you. Any further discussion on Standing Committee Report number 1384? Okay, then, we'll go back to Standing Committee Report 1382. Representative Alcos.

No vote.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Matsumoto.

So ordered. Any further discussion?

In strong support and request to enter comments into the journal.

No vote.

Please proceed.

Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Standing Committee Report 1393. Representative Pierick.

Reservations.

So ordered. Standing Committee Report 1391. Representative Amato.

So ordered. Report number 1392. Representative Pierick.

In opposition.

So ordered. Report number 1390. I'm sorry. Still on 1390. Representative Reyes Oda.

Reservations.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Amato.

If we pass this bill, the cost of water could increase in our state, so I'll be voting no.

So ordered. Report number 1395. 1396, top of page six. 1397, 1398. Representative Amato.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Standing Committee Report 1394, Representative Garcia.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

No vote.

No vote.

No vote.

With reservations, please.

So ordered. Standing Committee Report number 1399. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Poepoe.

So ordered. 1403, 1404, 1404. No. 1405. Representative Amato.

No vote.

No vote.

So ordered. Report number 1400. Top of page seven. 1401, 1402. Representative Pierick.

So ordered. Representative Perruso.

With reservations.

Please proceed.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in opposition.

This, for me, is a hard no. I can't believe we're even considering allowing an exemption for treatment plans to do discharge, discharge sewage.

Did we learn nothing from the U.S. Supreme Court telling Maui County that discharging even treated sewage and other such effluents, even through a well, is illegal and is a violation of the federal EPA Clean Water Act? I, for one, believe in the rule of law and following the courts.

And we need to follow the Supreme Court ruling to follow the Clean Water Act while we still have one. In these times, with despotic wannabe tyrants gutting the EPA and dismantling so many other federal agencies, it is up to us, the members in this chamber, to support the courts. Colleagues, things have changed.

Representative Lowen.

We can no longer just go along with all powerful special interests just to get along. Now more than ever in our lives, we must fight and stand up and protect Hawaii and our environment. Please join me in voting no. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. If you read the bill, you will. See that the only. In support. Thank you. The only change to existing law in this draft is removing an exemption that existed for allowing treatment plants to discharge water if they were utilizing sewage to produce clean energy. So it is not making significant changes to existing law.

Representative Garcia.

In opposition.

Please proceed.

I would like to concur with my colleague from Kihei, minus the wannabe tyrants. I don't think wannabe tyrants has anything to do with this bill. But I agree that we should be cautious when emitting wastewater into our oceans.

Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in opposition.

Please proceed.

I agree with the representative that just spoke before me. And I am just in opposition. In an ideal world where we would not have to discharge sewage into our beautiful ocean. Thank you.

Representative Alcos.

No vote.

Same request.

So ordered. Any further discussion? Okay, seeing none. Members will be taking a voice vote. All those in favor say aye. All opposed say no. The motion is carried. Item number seven. Members, are there any announcements?

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

Okay, if there are no announcements, the chair would like to remind committee chairs that today is the second lateral filing deadline. For senate bills that need to move to their final committees, please file your Committee reports and drafts with the chief clerk's office by nine p.m. this evening. For the motion to adjourn, Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I move that this house stand adjourned until 12 o'clock noon tomorrow.

Representative Garcia.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no. The motion is carried. The house stands adjourned until 12 o'clock noon tomorrow.