Senate Floor

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

[Roll Call]. All 25 Members are present.

Thank you. The Chair has read the journal of the preceding day and approves the same. Are there any introductions this morning. Senator Fukunaga.

Thank you, Mr. President. You know, during this very tumultuous time, it's always very exciting to celebrate the ex - the example of the UH Rainbows and our baseball team. With us today, I'd like to introduce Mai Kondo, Makiki Kondo constituent Larry Yasui, and her guest, Nancy Bauer, who is here to watch her grandson play in this week's tournament.

To be clear, grandson is on the Long Beach State team. And when they stopped by my office, I said we would not be cheering for him this weekend, but after this weekend, wish him nothing but the best. Further introductions. Senator Kidani.

Mahalo, Mr. President. Colleagues, I rise this morning with great pleasure to introduce a dedicated leader in education and in my community, Mililani High School Principal Fred Murphy, who just delivered this morning's moment of contemplation. I was gonna say constipation, but okay, contemplation.

Principal Murphy's passion and commitment to education began early serving as a Senator and Chairman of the University of Hawaii Student Senate Caucus while pursuing his bachelor's degree in secondary education. During his senior year in 1992, he served as a legislative intern for then Senator Malama Solomon. It was likely during that time that he gained firsthand experience in policymaking and valuable insights that paved the way to the continued work in educational leadership roles today.

As principal of Mililani High School, Fred Murphy was named Hawaii's National Distinguished Principal of the Year by the Hawaii Association of Secondary School Administrators in 2019, a prestigious honor that recognizes principals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, foster student achievement, and earn the respect and admiration of their school communities. Mr. President, I echo the respect and admiration for Principal Murphy and recognize his dedication and lifelong commitment to our public education. I look forward to Principal Murphy's continued leadership in shaping the future of our Caiki. Fred, please stand.

Joining Principal Murphy today in the gallery are his two Sons Kellen Murphy, a proud graduate of Mililani High School and now a sophomore at the California State Polytech University at Pomona, and Evan Murphy, a current senior at Mililani High School. We extend our warmest welcome to them as they support their father this morning. Mr. President, at the appropriate time, may I request that their names be added into the Senate journal? I now yield the floor.

So ordered. Any further introductions? If not, Madam Clerk.

Beginning on page one, Governor's message numbers 788 to 790. Transmit nominations to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit and the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

Governor's message numbers 788 to 790 are referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

On page two, House communication number 451 informs the Senate that the House has disagreed to the amendments proposed by the Senate to various House bills.

On pages three to 11. House communication numbers 453 to 499. Return Senate bills that pass third reading in the House in an amended form for agree/disagree.

File.

On page three, House communication number 452. Return Senate Bill 1202 that passed third reading in the House unamended.

File.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move that the Senate disagree to the amendments proposed by the House to the Senate bills referenced in House Communications numbers 453 to 499.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

Senator DeCorte.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. Conferees will be named at a later date.

On pages 11 to 30. House communication numbers 500 to 558. Transmit various House Concurrent Resolutions which were adopted in the House for referral to Committee.

So ordered.

Beginning on page 31, Standing Committee report numbers 1673 to 1703. On page 36, Standing Committee report numbers 1722 to 26 and beginning on page 37, Standing Committee report numbers 1739 to 1741 for one day notice.

So ordered.

Beginning on page 34, Standing Committee report number 1704 to 1721. On page 36, Standing Committee report number 1727. And on page 37, Standing Committee report number 1733 to 1738 for 48 hour notice.

So ordered.

Starting on page 36, Standing Committee report number 1728 to 1732. And on page 38, Standing Committee report numbers 1743 and 1744 for adoption.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move for the adoption of standing Committee reports number 1728 to 1732 and 1743 to 1744.

Senator DeCorte.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

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

On page 38. Standing Committee Report Number 1742 on House Bill 476, Senate Draft 1.

If there are no objections from the Members, Standing Committee report number 1742 and House Bill 476 are recommitted to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Beginning on page 39, third reading.

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

Standing Committee Report Number 1527, third reading of House Bill 126, Senate Draft 2 relating to property forfeiture.

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

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. HB 126, HD 1, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report number 1528. Third reading of House Bill 431, Senate Draft 2 relating to housing.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes for Senators Awa and DeCorte.

23 ayes, 2 nos.

Thank you. HB 431, HD 2, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report. Number 1529, third reading of House Bill 454, Senate Draft 1 relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 454, HD 2, SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report number 1530, third reading of House Bill 667, Senate Draft 1 relating to transportation.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 667, HD 1, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report Number 1531, third reading of House Bill 727, Senate Draft 2 relating to the Women's Court.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 727, HD 1, SD,2 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report Number 1532, third reading of House Bill 1020, Senate Draft 2 relating to a program to characterize carbon sequestration potential and underground water resources statewide.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes for Senators Awa, DeCorte, San Buenaventura.

22 ayes, 3 nos.

Thank you. HB 1020, HD 1, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report Number 1533, third reading of House Bill 1345, Senate Draft 2 relating to teacher education.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 1345, HD 1, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report number 1534. Third reading of House Bill 1365, Senate Draft 2 relating to the Department of Agriculture.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 1365, HD 2, SD 2 passes third reading.

Third reading of House Bill 794, Senate Draft 1 relating to state bonds.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 794, HD 1, SD 1 passes third reading.

On page 41, third reading of House Bill 795, Senate Draft 1 relating to the General Fund.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 795, HD 1, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report number 1641. Third reading of House Bill 48, Senate draft one relating to coffee labeling.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 48, HD 2, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report number 1642. Third reading of House Bill 72, Senate Draft 1 relating to pharmacy.

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

25 eyes.

Thank you. HB 72, HD 2, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report number 1643. Third reading of House Bill 951, Senate Draft 1 relating to prescribed prescription drugs.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes for Senators Awa and DeCorte.

23 ayes, 2 nos.

Thank you. HB 951, HD 2, SD 1 passes third reading

Standing Committee report number 1644. Third reading of House Bill 320, Senate Draft 1 relating to supported decision making agreements.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 320, HD 2, SD 1 passes third reading.

On page 42. Standing Committee report number 1645. Third reading of House Bill 1002, Senate Draft 1 relating to the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 1002, HD 1, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report number 1646. Third reading of House Bill 237, Senate Draft 1 relating to peer support programs.

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

25 ayes.

No vote for Senators Awa and DeCorte.

23 ayes, 2 nos.

Thank you. HB 237, HD 1, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report number 1647. Third reading of House Bill 370, Senate Draft 1 relating to partial public financing of elections.

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

23 ayes, 2 nos.

Thank you. HB 370, HD 2, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report number 1648. Third reading of House Bill 371, Senate Draft 1 relating to campaign contributions.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations, Senator San Buenaventura. Any no votes?

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 371, HD 1, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report number 1649. Third reading of Senate Bill 692. Senate Draft 1 relating to the preschool open doors program.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 692, HD 1, SD 1 passes third reading.

On page 43, Standing Committee report number 1650. Third reading of House Bill 703, Senate Draft 1 relating to Kupuna Housing.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 703, HD 1, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report number 1651. Third reading of House Bill 1026, Senate Draft 1 making emergency appropriations for public employment cost items.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 1026, HD 1, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report number 1652. Third reading of House Bill 1055, Senate Draft 1 making an emergency appropriation to the Public Utilities Commission.

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

25 eyes.

Thank you. HB 1055, HD 1, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report number 1653. Third reading of House Bill 1391, Senate Draft 1 relating to trade.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote for Senators Awa and DeCorte.

23 ayes. 2 nos.

Thank you. HB 1391, HD1, SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report Number 1654, third reading of House Bill 1462, Senate Draft 1 relating to crisis services.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 1462, HD1, SD1 passes third reading.

On page 44, third reading of House Bill 111 relating to sex trafficking.

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

25 eyes.

Thank you. HB 111 passes third reading.

Referrals and re referrals.

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

No further business. Mr. President.

Are there any announcements? Senator Awa.

Mahalo ... Request to adjourn on a rising vote to observe a moment of silence for Hawaii State Representative Gene Ward, who died early this morning at his home in Hawaii Kai surrounded by his daughter and wife of nearly 60 years. Gene served in the House of Representatives. For 27 years, first getting elected in 1990. A former minority leader, a staunch supporter of Native Hawaiians, and most importantly, a firm believer in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was 82 years old.

Thank you. Further announcement. Senator DeCoite.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise on a point of personal privilege.

Mr. President, on behalf of myself, Senator Hashimoto and Senator McKelvey, I would like to thank Principal Murphy as well as the Senator from District 17 and District 18. During the time of COVID they put together a massive drive for the people of Lahaina and Country Kula. So I just wanted to give you Maloha Mahalo on behalf of the people of Maui and more so the people of Lahaina. So thank you. Mr. President.

Please proceed.

Mr. President, on behalf of myself, Senator Hashimoto and Senator McKelvey, I would like to thank Principal Murphy of as well as the Senator from District 17 and District 18.

I'd also like to recognize again, as we are all aware of, on behalf of myself and Senator Kidani and every year the Women's Legislative Caucus holds an Easter basket drive for donations to the outstanding organizations that help women and children in need to help us all get - to help us all get into the Easter spirit, you all have your say as to which of our colleagues will serve as the Easter Bunny and the Easter Chick. Most of you have already turned in your ballots for the Easter Bunny and I mean the Easter Chick.

Please make your selection voting for one Member on the ballot and return them to my Office by Tuesday, April 8, or today after session is done. Then please remember to join the Women's Caucus with your Easter basket donations on Friday, April 11, 2025 immediately after the House floor session at the Rotundo level. Thank you.

Thank you. Senator Gabbard.

I rise at a point of personal privilege.

Please proceed.

Mr. President, colleagues, staff and guests, I too would like to say a few words about my friend and colleague Representative Gene Ward, who as was mentioned, left his 82 year old body this morning. On a personal level, Gene and I were both elected in November 2006 and from the start we developed a strong mutual respect.

Over the years we served together, we talked story often and shared a common commitment to serving the people of Hawaii. What stood out most about Gene was how deeply connected he was to his community. He listened to to his constituents, he knew their concerns and he worked tirelessly to represent them with heart and integrity.

He was also someone who cared deeply about Hawaiis culture whether he was advocating for Native Hawaiian issues or protecting our values. Gene brought sincerity and a strong moral compass to everything he did. And no matter what side of the aisle he was on, Gene was fearless.

He wasn't afraid to stand alone if he believed it was the right thing to do. And he did it with grace. Gene's presence at the Capitol will truly be missed. He was someone you could always count on to speak his mind, ask the tough questions and bring a thoughtful perspective to the floor.

Whether you agree with him or not, you knew where he stood and you knew that he cared. Gene lived a life of service and his legacy will continue in the people and causes that he championed. And so to the Ward Ohana, please know that you have our deepest aloha and prayers. Mahalo.

Thank you. Any further announcements? Senator DeCorte.

Senate President, I rise on a point of personal privilege.

Please proceed.

I would also like to share with regards to Representative Gene Ward. And as we honor the life and legacy of Representative Ward, his passing leaves a void in the very heart of our Native Hawaiian people. For decades, Rep. Ward stood on the House floor not only for his glory but for our Lahui whose voices often went unheard. In his book Broken Promises, he refers to Hawaiians by stating our population is decreasing and the net out migration has reached crisis levels. The state is slowly bleeding out of its best and its brightest. End quote.

This was not just about numbers for Rep. Ward. This was personal. He went on by saying in his book let this be a wake up call. We need to put policies in place that reverse this trend or we will lose an entire generation. Representative Gene Ward was more than a Legislator. He was an advocate.

For our Lahui, he didn't just fight for numbers in a report or dots on a map. He fought for our people. He fought for the right of native Hawaiians to live on their lands, to raise their children in the same valleys, to fish the same shores, to speak the same language, and to practice the same traditions.

Not from a distance, not from the continent, not in exile, but right here in our home of Hawaii. Mahalanui. Representative Ward, our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ has welcomed you into the gates of heaven, saying, well done, good and faithful servant. Mahalo.

Thank you. Senator Lee.

Please proceed.

I was going to insert comments, but I realized during announcements that's probably not something appropriate to do. So I'll just say very briefly, in addition to the comments from our colleagues today about Representative Ward. It has been truly an honor the last 17 years to serve alongside and he's truly been something that, or a person that kind of opened my eyes because for 12 years I served alongside him in the House in an adjacent district and knew he was energetic and very, very active in the community.

Thank you, Mr. President. I similarly rise on a point of personal privilege.

Please proceed.

I was going to insert comments, but I realized during announcements that's probably not something appropriate to do. So I'll just say very briefly, in addition to the comments from our colleagues today about Representative Ward.

But it was only when I actually came to the Senate and overlapped most of his district that I suddenly got invites on a regular basis that I could not simply keep up with for all the things in the community that he was engaged in. And I really want to just share that.

I don't think there's anything and anyone out there that I've met that has matched that level of engagement with the community. And the bar he set is high, which I surely will never reach. But appreciate the tutoring and I think eye opening strategies and engagement that he's really provided me through a new lens here in the Senate. So with that, he will surely be missed by our community and wish his family the best.

Thank you, Senator Fevella.

Senator President rising. Personal privilege.

Please proceed.

You know, for me, our relationship was pretty strong from the beginning. When I came into this building, he was very proud of his book, Broken Promise. He wanted to let me know that he was on our side, if you could see that. But I didn't understand Gene as well as a lot of people because truly I thought he was strange talking to me about my people and the struggles. If anybody was an honorary Hawaiian, it was Representative Gene Ward. He loved our people like he was a Hawaiian.

Have the discussions that we had numerous of discussions and same like with Senator Lee invited me, you know, even though I live right down the road, Ewa Beach, constantly to come and engage his community, whether it was about Hawaiian issues, about just issues at the time. That, again, when I came to this building, I didn't know I had. And the position that I had when it came to minority leader, floor leader, all these accolades, that didn't mean nothing to me in Ewa Beach, that I just wanted to serve my community.

But he was always proud for having me as a local boy from Ewa Beach, being with him, talking with him and eating with him and having a lot of discussions. But my relationship with Gene Words goes a little bit back. Before this square building, when I was a refuse inspector for the city and County of Honolulu.

I had a complaint of bulky items being brought out a little early. So lo and behold, I was there to write up a report, and this guy came out of nowhere with his 1960s Woodstock clothes and told me, what are you doing here? I said, this guy have his bulky items out too early.

I didn't recognize him at first. He said, well, let me help you, because these guys are good people. They probably didn't know, so don't psych them. So the conversation I had with him, lo and behold, he would help me. Even though I did most of the work, he would help me put them on.

But then he had another question. He said, what about, I have some stuff in my garage. You think you could help me take this, too? And I did, not knowing that I was going to serve with him in this square building going forward. And it was just one great relationship, because that guy, seriously, you know, I see his passion in the house all the time. And like a lot of our colleagues said, he stands alone. But one thing that he never, never put down and never let anybody know, his love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his family. So again, my love and aloha to Gene Ward and his family. He will be truly missed. Love and Aloha to him. Thank you, President.

Thank you. Further announcements, Senator McKelvey.

Thank you, Mr. President. I, too, would like to rise briefly on a point of personal privilege.

Please proceed.

But just to Gene Ward, Representative was a Member of our class of 2006. So I feel compelled to just say a few words from that, that on behalf of myself and my good friend over here, Senator Rose, our first foray in the political public life came with him as our new freshman. Because he had been there before, and right from the word go, everything that was said was so true. And through the years, he became a sparring partner of mine.

We actually looked forward to floor sessions and the Senate has been relieved of that because of the fact that he loved debate, the marketplace of free ideas. It was his big thing. So we would look forward to seeing each other and me calling him out for not reading the Bill and him standing up and saying that we were being duplicitous and not standing up for the people of Hawaii and all the great colorful things that he would say. But to you Gene, my friend, my former sparring partner and a classmate of 2006. Aloha, ...

Thank you. Any further announcements? Senator Wakai?

Mr. President, I move that the Senate stand in recess, leaving the journal open until 11. Excuse me. 8pm for the receipt of standing Committee reports on House bills to be placed on the calendar for third reading. I further move that the Senate adjourn on a rising vote, observing a moment of silence in memory of our good friend and former colleague Gene Ward, and that the Senate reconvene at 10am on Tuesday, April 8th.

Senator DeCorte.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

It has been moved and seconded. If there are no objections from the Members, the Senate will stand in recess, leaving the Journal open until 8pm for the receipt of standing Committee reports on House bills to be placed on the calendar for third reading, and will reconvene at 10am on Tuesday, April 8. Please join me in rising to observe a moment of silence in honor and memory of former Representative Gene Ward.