Senate Floor

Will the Senate please come to order? Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]. 22 present, 3 excused.

Thank you. The Chair has read the journal of the preceding day and approves the same. Are there any introductions this morning? Senator Elefante, then Senator San Buenaventura.

Thank you, Mr. President. Joining us in the gallery are interns with the office of Representative Sam Kong. They are here on their spring break, and if you can please stand so you could be acknowledged and recognized, we have Min Jeong Shin, Brandon Koo, and they're both from Iolani. And then we have Timothy Kim and Ashley Hong from Punahou School. Let's give them a warm welcome. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Senator San Buenaventura.

Thank you, Mr. President. Today I have the great privilege of recognizing some truly extraordinary individuals. Health care professionals who do more than their jobs. They change lives in the most profound ways. These are the people who show up every day with skillful hands, compassionate hearts, and an unwavering commitment to those they serve.

We often think of healthcare as science, but what makes it truly powerful is the humanity behind it. It's the nurse who catches something others might miss. It's the home care provider who lifts the patient's spirits. The emergency responder who refuses to give up, and the doctor who becomes part of the family. Today, we share the stories of five remarkable individuals whose dedication, expertise and compassion had left an unforgettable mark on the lives of those they have cared for. I now yield to the Senator from District 1.

Mahalo to the Senate Chair of Health and Human Services. I am honored to recognize Nurse Karen Hoskins, an obstetrics nurse at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Please rise. Yes, thank you. On May 31, 2023 baby Leila Yamashita was born. A moment of joy for her family.

However, during a routine newborn exam, Nurse Hoskins detected a serious intestinal malformation. Something that, if left untreated, could have had devastating consequences. Because of her keen eye and quick action, Baby Leila was rushed to Kapiolani Medical Center in Honolulu for life saving care. But Nurse Hoskin's role in this family's story didn't stop there.

She remained a pillar of support, guiding the Yamashitas through their daughter's surgery and hospitalization. Her skill saved a life, and her compassion gave a family hope for a lifetime. Welcome to our Senate, and congratulations and good luck to your future years in nursing as well. I now yield to the Senator from District 24.

Mahalo to the Senator from Hilo. Next, we recognize Nurse Renee Kojima, a home infusion nurse with Pharmacare Hawaii. Please rise. Ms. Kojima understands that healthcare isn't just about medicine. It's about connection. Jean Marie Olmos shared the story of her husband, David, who battled gastroesophageal reflux disease.

His condition required weekly blood draws, a routine that could have felt clinical, even impersonal. But under Nurse Kojima's care, it became something else entirely. Every visit, she brought kindness, encouragement, and warmth. She listened, she uplifted. She reminded David that he wasn't just a patient, he was a person. Her care helped heal not just his body, but his spirit. Though she was unable to attend today, we are pleased to have Cecily Nago, Karen's mother, and J. Takahashi Niyota, the nurse manager at Pharmacare Hawaii, here on her behalf. Can we have them please stand. Mahalo, Ms. Kojima, and thank you again for your service to the community.

Mr. President, we next honor Nurse Sara Kahelelani Hatsue Kuma from Attention Plus Care and RCM Technologies. Some omens tests not just our skill, but our heart. Nurse Sara Kuma faced such a moment when she received a desperate call, one that no parent ever wants to make. Thousands of miles away, a family was in agony.

Their son, Ashton Hirai, had gone into cardiac arrest, and they weren't there to hold his hand. But Sara was. Without hesitation. She rushed to be by his side. She became his advocate, his voice, and his comfort. She kept his parents informed as they raced home, ensuring that they were with him in every way possible, even from afar.

When they finally arrived to say their goodbyes, they weren't alone. They had Sara, a nurse who gave them strength in their darkest hour. While she wasn't able to attend today, we are honored to recognize her dedication and unwavering support for her patients. Although she's not here, I'd like to ask for a round of applause for her. Thank you. And I now yield to the majority leader.

Mahalo to the Senator from District 24.

On behalf of the Senator from District 25, I am honored to recognize Dr. Darryl Glaser, a physician whose care extends far beyond the walls of his clinic. Can you please stand and be recognized? And I apologize if I got your name wrong, but we'll just go with it for now. Two years ago, seven year old Resin Davis was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia. A battle no child should have to face. The road ahead was long, filled with hospital stays, treatments and unimaginable challenges. But through every setback and every victory, Dr. Glaser was there. He wasn't just a Doctor, he was her champion. He coordinated her care, reassured her family, and in the midst of difficult treatments, he found time for joy. Playing with Resin during visits, celebrating her make a Wish trip to Disney World, and being a constant source of support. To Resin's family, Dr. Glaser isn't just their Doctor. He's their hero, a part of their Ohana. Please, can we give Dr. Glaser a round of applause. I now yield to the Senator from District 18.

Thank you. I have the honor of introducing my constituent from Waipio, Trevor Fujisaka. Sometimes life hangs by a thread. And in those moments we rely on the steady hands of our emergency responders. In August of last year, Dustin Kealoha was found unresponsive at the Kamehameha School's Kapalama swimming pool.

Lifeguards immediately began CPR while EMS rushed to the scene. One of the paramedics who responded that day was Trevor Fujisaka. He and his partner Allen Zhang took over the life saving efforts, doing everything in their power to keep Dustin alive. And as they raced to the hospital, Trevor never wavered, even in the face of critical medical challenges. Because of Trevor's skill and determination, Dustin not only survived, he thrived. Today, Dustin is a college student at Dartmouth, a living testament to the heroes who refused to give up on him. I now yield the floor to the Senator from District 2.

These five individuals represent the very best of what it means to be a health care professional. They are not just medical experts. They are healers, advocates and sources of strength in life's most vulnerable moments. Today we honor them not just for the work they do, but for the lives they have changed. To Karen Hoskins, Renee Kojima, Sara Kuma, Trevor Fujisaka and Dr. Darryl Glaser. On behalf of the Senate and the people of Hawaii, we thank you. Your dedication, your compassion and your unwavering commitment make our world a better place.

I also would like to take a moment to recognize a few individuals in the gallery this morning for making today's presentation possible. Please stand to be recognized when your name is called. Hilton Raethel of HAH. Paige Choi. Robert Choi. Could you stand up, Paige? Mary Bedell, Stacy Wong, Terence Young, COO of Hawaii Pacific Health Medical Group. Amanda Wu, Vice President of Hawaii Pacific Health. Elena Cavatu. I see Elena over there, of Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Sean Morris of Pharmacare Hawaii. And Meredith Lowe of Pharmacare Hawaii. Mahalo to everyone for being here. Thank you very much. And I now yield to the Senate.

Thank you. So if our heroes would wait for a few minutes, we're going to get through the agenda rather quickly. And then when we adjourn, the Members would like to come and congratulate you personally and get some pictures. And we'll have the sergeants escort your friends or family in the gallery to the floor as well. Madam Clerk.

Beginning on page one, Governor's message numbers 767 to 770 transmit nominations to the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit and various boards and commissions.

Governor's message numbers 767 to 770 are referred in accordance with the referrals on the order of the day.

Beginning on page two, House communication numbers 388 to 392 transmit various House Concurrent Resolutions which were adopted in the House for referral to Committee.

So ordered.

On page four, Standing Committee report numbers 1367 and 1368 for adoption.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move for the adoption of Standing Committee reports numbers 1367 to 1368.

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.

On page four, adoption of resolutions, Standing Committee report number 1364 for adoption.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move for the adoption of said Standing Committee reports and resolution.

Senator DeCorte.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Any objections? Senator Awa, are you going to cast a no vote on the resolution? Any other no votes? Senator DeCorte. Said resolution has been adopted.

On page five, third reading.

If there are no objections from the Members, we will be taking third reading on consent.

Third reading of House Bill 386 relating to dangerous drugs.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

22 ayes.

Thank you. HB 386 passes third reading.

Third reading of House Bill 408 relating to voter registration.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

22 ayes.

Thank you. HB 408 passes third reading.

Third reading of House Bill 127, Senate Draft 1 relating to pretrial release.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations for Senators Elefante, McKelvey and Moriwaki. No votes. Senators Awa, Decorte and Fevella.

19 ayes. 3 noes.

Thank you. HB 127 passes third - HB 1, SD1 passes third reading.

Third reading of House Bill 132, House Draft 1 relating to expungement.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes. No vote for Senator Fevella.

21 ayes. 1 no.

Thank you. HB 132, HD1 passes third reading.

Referrals and re referrals.

Referrals and re referrals are made in accordance with the supplemental orders of the day that may be filed later today.

No further business, Mr. President.

Are there any announcements today? 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 11:30am tomorrow.