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 Kidani.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, this morning I am very honored to introduce you to the other members of my staff. Staff, please stand when your name is called. My awesome committee clerk, Lisa Barnett. My wonderful office manager, Danicia Honda. And my amazing communications and community liaison, Rianna Ramos.

Legislative aides, Damian Negrete and Arlen Redobo, who just delivered this morning's moment of contemplation. Mahalo, staff, for all of your daily support and efforts as we serve our great state of Hawaii. Aloha.

Mr. President.

Senator Kim.

I just want to add to Arnold. Go Govs.

So now you have witnessed two Farrington alums who are dedicated to education and standing up and speaking.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to also add that Senator Donna Mercado Kim's older sister Katherine, was a very, very good friend of mine who also attended Farrington High School with me. Go Govs.

Thank you. Any further introductions? If not, Madam Clerk.

Governor's message numbers 696 to 703 are transmit nominations to various boards and commissions.

Governor's message number 696 to 703 are referred in accordance with the referrals listed on the order of the day.

Standing committee report numbers 2271-2309 for adoption.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move for the adoption of standing committee reports numbers 2271-2309.

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 seven, third reading.

If there are no objections from the Members, we will be taking third reading on consent. Third reading of Senate Bill 2203. Senate Draft 2, relating to law enforcement. Is there any discussion, Senator Rhoads?

Thank you, Mr. President. This Bill prohibits. I'm sorry. In support. This Bill prohibits. Thank you. This Bill prohibits anonymous policing for all levels of government, with important exceptions. Those exceptions are undercover or in preparation for undercover work. Protective gear for various hazards. Motorcycle officers while riding.

It allows masks as long as all law enforcement at the scene are not masks. That means at least one officer has to show his or her face. Events on the continent have focused attention on law enforcement practices. And we'd like to avoid the abuses that have been seen on the Upper Up.

Excuse me, up in the contiguous 48. And this Bill will help. Mahalo.

Thank you. Any further discussion? Senator Chang.

In support.

Please proceed.

Thank you. May I have permission to insert into the journal the remarks of the previous speaker as if they were my own?

So ordered. Any further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote. Senator Awa, DeCoite, and Fevella.

22 Ayes. 3 Noes.

Thank you. SB2203 SD2 passes third reading.

Referrals and re referrals.

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

No further business. Mr. President.

Are there any announcements today? Senator Kim.

I rise in point of personal privilege.

Please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. President. Friday was a very sad day for leadership in Hawaii Public Schools. The Senate Education Committee heard 14 measures, including one proposal to repeal the complex area superintendent's structure. Nearly 100 DOE administrators, primarily school principals, lined the corridors to oppose that single Bill.

This, while other critical DOE measures were before us. Universal school lunches, DOE bus transportation, Medicaid reimbursements that could bring in millions of federal dollars into our schools received no attention from them. Additionally, no constructive recommendation came from any of the testifiers. 11 individuals did send in testimonies in support. But what was most troubling was not the disagreement.

It was the behavior. Principals, our school leaders cheered their own testifiers, booed the lone community member and former educator who spoke in support, and even booed Committee Members for simply asking questions.

Despite repeated reminders from the sergeant of arms to maintain decorum, and despite disruptions loud enough to affect neighboring offices and Committee hearings, the conduct continued throughout the hearing. I waited for someone, anyone among DOE leadership to stand up and restore order, and no one did. Is this the example that we want to set for our students?

Are these standards of civility and respect we expect in our classrooms? Do we allow students to boo their classmates when they disagree? Or use intimidation and mob like tactics to silence opposing views? Leadership matters. Modeling respect matters. Accountability matters. Notably, not a single complex area superintendent testified.

Instead, principals were mobilized in mass by the complex area superintendents who appoints them. That raises serious concerns about the culture and chain of command within the department. After two decades under the complex area superintendent structure, we where principles serve at the discretion of those who hire them.

We must ask whether this governance model is fostering independence, professionalism and constructive engagement with oversight. If this is how DOE responds to legislative review, then we have not only the right, but the responsibility to examine its leadership structure. Our students deserve better, Mr. President. Our educators deserve better.

And the people of Hawaii deserve a Department of Education that leads with professionalism, integrity and respect. Mahalo.

Thank you. Any further announcements? If not, the chair has two. The first, I simply want to acknowledge Senator Dela Cruz. We heard in the complication, the contemplation about the Hele Imua program which he has championed. And I am aware of others who are hired.

I attended the ceremony acknowledging one of the Department of Health employees who wound up getting a permanent job offer because they were so impressed with the internship and hearing the personal story that led to not only being hired initially, but then recognized for the talents that Mr. Robelais had to get.

The full time position speaks testaments to looking for pathways that lead to jobs and not looking for certificates to put on the wall, as you are fond of saying. So again, thank you, Senator Dela Cruz. In that area, the only announcement is that the Senate leadership will have a meeting in my office immediately after session. Thank you.

Take two.

I move the Senate staff be adjourned until 11:30am tomorrow.

Senator De Coite.

Senate President, I second the motion.

Okay, it's been moved and seconded. If there are no objections, will be adjourned until 11:30am tomorrow.