Senate Floor

Will the Senate please 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 Wakai?

Thank you, Mr. President. Members, you heard the eloquent message from my intern, Sunny Kazama. She is joined this morning by her father, David Kazama. If you could rise, Proud father. And I'm blessed to have a wonderful staff. Richard Mizusawa, Ashley Niibu and Tosa Lobidon. Welcome.

And I'll just say when she said at the beginning, since she graduated, I felt found out it was high school and not middle school. Since she has such a youthful appearance and in her gap year decided to come and learn about the legislative process and will be going to the University of San Diego next fall.

Any further introductions? If not. Madam Clerk.

Beginning on page two, House communication numbers 782 to 784 and 795 to 798 inform the Senate that the House has appointed conferees to various bills.

House communication number 785 to 790 returned various Senate Concurrent Resolutions that were adopted in the House unamended and house communication number 794 informs the Senate that the House has agreed to the amendments made by the Senate to various House bills. File beginning on page five.

House communication numbers 791 to 793 return various Senate Concurrent Resolutions that were adopted in the House in an amended form for agree Disagree. Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move that the Senate disagree to the amendments proposed by the House to various Senate Concurrent Resolutions referenced in house communications number 791 to 793. 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. Conferees may be named at a later date.

On page nine, Judiciary communication number 32 transmits a correction to clarify the legal name of the nominee referenced in Judiciary communication number 31. File beginning also on page 9, standing Committee report numbers 1964-1970 for one day notice, so ordered. Starting on page 12.

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

Standing Committee Report Numbers 1945-1959 on Governor's Messages for adoption. Is there any discussion?

If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? 25 eyes. Thank you. The nominees for said governor's messages have.

Been confirmed beginning on page 17. Adoption of resolutions on page. zero, I'm sorry. Go ahead. Madam Clerk jumped in early on pages 17 and 18. Standing Committee report numbers 1960 to 1963 on House Concurrent Resolutions for adoption. Senator. Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move for the adoption of said Standing Committee reports and House Concurrent Resolutions.

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. Said resolutions have been adopted. 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.

Beginning on page 19. Miscellaneous business. First item is Senate Bill 1369, House Draft 1, relating to Title 24, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Senator Keohokalole.

Mr. President, I move that the Senate reconsider its previous action in disagreeing to the amendments made by the House and agree to set amendments for SB 1369. Senate Draft one House draft one. Thank you.

Senator Wakai.

President, I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion, Senator Keohokalole?

Thank you, Mr. President. After reviewing the House amendments, we find them acceptable, and I recommend ask my colleagues to support the changes. Thank you.

Is there any further discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. One day notice is hereby given for final reading of SB 1369 HD1. Senator Lee, if you'd sit down for a moment. I pass myself. If there are no objections, we'd like to discharge the conferees for Senate Bills 1369 and 1511, hearing no objections. So ordered. Madam Clerk.

Senate Bill 1402, House Draft 2, relating to vessels in state commercial harbors.

Senator Lee.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate reconsider its previous action in disagreeing to the amendments made by the House and agree to set amendments for SB 1402, Senate Draft 1.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Senator Lee.

Thank you, Mr. President. Clarification was made to exemptions within the Bill that is appropriate.

Is there any further discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. One day notice is hereby given for final reading of SB 1402.

HD 2.

Senate Bill 1411, House Draft 2, relating to Medicaid third-party liability.

Senator San Buenaventura.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate reconsider its previous action in disagreeing to the amendments made by the House and agree to set amendments for SB 1411, SD 2.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I second that motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Senator San Buenaventura.

Thank you, Mr. President. The amendments by the House were just technical in nature and adding a clean date.

Is there any further discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. One day notice is hereby given for final reading of SB 1411, HD 2.

Senate Bill 1511, House Draft 2, relating to Hanalei Bay.

Senator Inouye.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate reconsider its previous action in disagreeing to the amendments made by the House and agree to set amendments for SB 1511, Senate Draft 1.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I second that motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Senator Inouye.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Hanalei Bay is cherished as a peaceful recreational area where families and visitors enjoy ocean activities. However, the growing presence of large vessels poses risks to public safety and disrupts the bank's tranquil atmosphere. To protect its welcoming character, this measure limits the size of vessels allowed to enter.

And the Senate agrees with the House decision to change the effective date to upon approval. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. The people of the north shore of Kauai and Kauai in general thank you for your efforts, Senator Inouye. Is there any further discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. One day notice is hereby given for final reading of SB 1511, HD 2.

On pages 19 and 20, waiver of referral for House Concurrent Resolution 91 and 102, House Draft 1.

Senator Keohokalole.

Thank you, Mr. President. I request a waiver of said resolutions to the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection. After reviewing the changes in the subject matter, Committee recommend them for adoption. Thank you.

The waiver is granted. One day notice is hereby given for the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution numbers 91 and 102, HD 1.

No further business, Mr. President.

So let me ask, do we have a late introduction? Senator Richards.

We do, Mr. President. Thank you. I did want to stop the roll. We were introducing our GM, but in the galley, we have three of the 14 nominations that came before us today. I'd like to start out with GM 669, Ke Kama Moko Aka Eli Ho Cersus, better known as Makoa and easier to say, and Cherish Miller.

She's not here? Okay. As you know, the volunteer members of the five Island Burial Councils play an extremely important function, bringing to the role a deep understanding of the culture, history, customs, and practices of the Kanaka Maoli.

In the hearings and interviews of all of the nominees, I was moved and impressed by their commitment and passion for the proper treatment of the Iwikapuna and the Native Burial Council sites. Mahalo for being here today.

And something I want to point out about Makoa that came up during the conversation that when I first saw Makoa, I thought, we're talking about Iwi Kupuna, and how could this opio understand this? It's generational. His father did the same thing before him.

And so, the wealth of knowledge that he brings, as does Cherish bring to the Oahu Burial Council, is outstanding. So, welcome to the Senate and thank you for your service. Another round of applause for him, please. We also have our newest member, GM 773, Shaelyn Ornelas, as our—thank you, Shaelyn—as our newest member of the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

The Hawaiian Homes Commission is the governing body of the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, DHHL, responsible for managing and implementing the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920.

Its primary function is to oversee the administration of land set aside for the native Hawaiians, ensuring the qualified beneficiaries can access homesteading opportunities for residential, agricultural, and pastoral uses. Ms. Ornelas received nearly 50 letters of support from various community organizations and supporters who have worked with her, noting her dedication, passion, and creative solutions towards malama ina.

Ms. Ornelas is joined by her parents, Raymond and Valerie Ornelas, family members, Jan Taylee Toren Kimora and her sister, Noelani Pochuli. Please stand to be recognized again, and mahalo for your willingness to serve the community and State of Hawaii.

I'd like to extend my congratulations to both of our nominees in chambers today and thank you for serving the state of Hawaii. Thank you, Mr. President.

Before you sit, Senator Richards, I believe she has one other guest. Are you going to introduce him or is Senator DeCoite going to do a late introduction?

Go ahead, Lynn.

Thank you, Mr. President. Yes. I'd like to also introduce Director Tokioka, who is here with us from Kauai and also supporting our new Commissioner from Kauai as well. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Do we have any other late introductions? Senator Kanuha.

Thank you, Mr. President. Coming in from the island of Kauai, I think we have students and teachers and chaperones from Koloa Elementary. If you could please all stand and be recognized. Thank you for being here, and welcome to the Hawaii State Senate.

Senator Aquino.

Thank you, Senate President. I believe we do have a newly confirmed Workforce Development Council Member, Jared Higashi. Please stand to be recognized. Congratulations and welcome to the Senate.

Thank you. Any other announcements? Senator San Buenaventura, then Senator Gabbard.

Okay. Thank you, Mr. President. Just want to remind our fellow Senators that tomorrow is Massage Awareness Day at the Capitol. We invite everyone to join us on the fourth floor from 10am to 1pm and all donations go to the food bank. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Gabbard.

Mr. President, colleagues, staff and guests, it's Earth Day. Happy Earth Day 2025. First Earth Day was back in 1970, so it's the 55th Earth Day and I've been patiently awaiting this day so I can encourage everyone to sometime today to, you know, hug a tree, shake hands with a frog, and maybe go down to Waikiki, the disappearing sands at the Waikiki beaches.

I was startled, yesterday's newspaper, at the headline, it said, chronic beach loss, infrastructure risks loom as parts of Hawaii sink. Think about that. And I mentioned in there Dolan Oversoul, he's a specialist from Soest up at UH.

He said that one of the beaches there had lost 5 ft, about 5 ft of sand in the last six years, and had receded about 30 ft. But I just wanted to take this opportunity to sincerely mahalo each of you for your help in working together to keep paradise, paradise.

And that I'm hoping that we will continue working together in the future as stewards of this aina that Keokua has kindly provided for us to protect. Mahalo and Happy Earth Day.

Any further announcements? If not, the chair has one. We will hold a Senate leadership meeting immediately after session in room 409. Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move that the Senate stand adjourned at 11:30 AM 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.