House Floor

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

[Roll Call] Madam speaker, 48 Members are present. Two are not present.

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?

Madam speaker, there are none.

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

Madam speaker, there are none.

Members, are there any introductions? Okay, moving on to the order of the the day. Mr. Clerk, are there any floor presentations?

Yes, Madam speaker, we have one floor presentation today. House Resolution number 16, congratulating Dr. Jamie Fukui, registered nurse Sean Morishige, Certified Physician's Assistant Kyle Ohisa, Dr. Parvati Panakar and Dr. Linda Wong for being selected by their patients as 2025 Hawaii Healthcare Heroes and recognizing them for their unwavering dedication to providing compassionate, life changing care.

This resolution is offered by Representatives Takayama and Matayoshi.

Representative Takayama, thank you.

Madam Speaker, I move to adopt the resolution.

Representative Matayoshi.

I second the motion.

It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be be adopted. Any discussion? Representative Takayama.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support. Today I have the honor of recognizing the Health Care Association of Hawaii's 2025 Health Care Heroes. These are exceptional individuals whose dedication and compassion make a profound impact on the lives of all of our citizens.

The Healthcare Association of Hawaii has been on the front lines of health care in Hawaii since 1939. And yes, that's before I was born. Through times of challenges in health, they have remained committed to working with providers in all our communities to promote a thriving and robust health care system.

The health care heroes are remarkable professionals who go above and beyond their commitment to caring for patients across our islands. They are the nurses, doctors, paramedics and caregivers who heal us when we are sick, mend us when we are injured, and gently remind us when we do not follow their instructions.

Mahalo to all of our healthcare heroes for their extraordinary work. I yield to the representative from Kaneohe and Manawili.

Representative Matayoshi.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Hawaii Healthcare heroes are selected through a meaningful and patient driven process administered by the Health Care Association of Hawaii. Since 2014, patients across our state have been invited to nominate health care professionals who have made a life changing difference in their life in their lives.

These honorees are chosen are not chosen by title or tenure, but through the heartfelt testimonies of those they cared for during their most vulnerable moments. Each nomination reflects a compassion, professional excellence and a profound impact on the individuals and families throughout Hawaii. It is this direct recognition from people they serve that makes this honor especially significant.

It is my privilege to recognize Dr. Jamie Fukui, a dedicated medical oncologist at Kapiolani Medical center for Women and Children.

In addition to providing excellent and compassionate care to patients facing breast cancer, Dr. Fukui serves as the Chief of Clinical Breast Oncology for for a Kaumeke Lama and as an Associate professor and researcher at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Through her leadership in both clinical practice and research, she continues to advance cancer treatment in our state.

Her patients constantly describe her as a steady and reassuring presence through the most difficult periods of their lives. One patient, Lynn Enright, faced an aggressive form of breast cancer and found strength and reassurance through Dr. Fukui's unwavering support and guidance.

We extend our sincere congratulations and appreciation to Dr. Fukui for her outstanding service to the people of Hawaii. Please join me in congratulating her. It is also my honor to recognize Dr. Parathy Panakura for her distinguished career in dermatologic care at Kaiser Permanente's Kona Medical Office.

Throughout her years of service, she combined her exceptional clinical skill with deep compassion for her patients and their families. Her expertise in most surgery allows her to treat complex skin cancers with precision while minimizing both the physical and emotional burdens of treatment.

One patient, Jill Peter, faced complex and recurring skin cancers and through Dr. Panneker's experience and attentive patient centered care, she was able to undergo treatment with confidence, reassurance and a streamlined recovery process. Dr. Panneker's unwavering dedication has left a lasting impact on countless individuals. We congratulate her and thank her for her remarkable contributions to our community.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Panneker. And now I yield to the representative

from Pearl City, Representative Takayama.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's my privilege to recognize Sean Morishige as a Hawaii healthcare hero for his devotion and compassion that has left an indelible impact on the lives of his patients. Sean is a registered nurse at Rehab Hospital of the Pacific who earned his nursing degree at hpu.

His professionalism was especially evident in his work with patient IM Muller, who was unable to move her legs after experiencing four spinal surgeries, septic shock and pneumonia, among other complications. Shawn supported Im's recovery as she overcame her hardships, resulting in her ability to stand with very little help.

Through his exceptional skill and encouragement, Sean helped her improve in ways that others could not. That same spirit and bright personality continues to uplift and inspire all who interact with him. Please join me in congratulating Sean Moroshige as a health care hero.

I also have the honor of recognizing Kyle Ohisa as a healthcare hero who has gone far above and beyond the normal call of duty when caring for his patients. Kyle Ohisa is a neurology physician assistant at Polymomi who earned his physician assistant degree at Pacific University.

His empathy and genuine concern for others fueled his care for Travis Masuhara, who was born with a heart defective and has endured almost insurmountable challenges. As a result, Kyle expertly managed Travis's complex medical history, displaying exceptional clinical skill and offering constant reassurance. Travis is now aged 44 and is visibly healthier, more alert and profoundly happier each day.

The Masuhara family expresses immense gratitude for Kyle's steadfast and compassionate care. Please join me in congratulation healthcare hero Kyle Ohisa. And it's my privilege to recognize Dr. Linda Wong as a Hawaii healthcare hero for affecting the lives of her patients through her devotion and compassion. Dr. Wong is a general surgeon and transplant surgeon at Queen's Medical Center.

She earned her medical degree at UC Irvine School of Medicine and is also a distinguished professor at the UH Cancer center and Associate Chair of Surgery at the John A. Byrne School of Medicine. She saved the life of patient Martin Tran, who was diagnosed with an aggressive splenic mass.

Prior to surgery, Dr. Wong provided reassurance to Martin as he was experiencing the most frightening moment of his life. Through her patience and clear communication, she answered his many questions and explained the risks, leaving him informed and safe.

Her successful surgery literally saved Martin's life, but just as importantly, restored his personal drive to move forward and overcome all his life's challenges. Actions that embody the essence of what it means to be a health care hero. Congratulations, Dr. Wong.

Lastly, on behalf of the House of Representatives, I'd like to thank the guests in the gallery who have joined us to recognize the awardees. These are the patients and family members of of our healthcare heroes, as well as leaders of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii. Please, will you all rise? Thank you all for being here. Thank you.

And Madam speaker, may I ask that their names be entered into the journal?

So ordered. We'll be voting on this resolution. All those in favor say aye. The motion is carried. Representative Takayama, please proceed with the certificate and lay presentation. The Chair will call a recess to allow the Members of the House to meet and congratulate the honorees. Recess. Call this meeting back to order. Item number six. Third reading.

Representative Morikawa, for the motion to suspend the rules.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules of the House in order to consider a certain House Bill for third reading by consent calendar.

Representative Garcia.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

Any questions? All those in favor say Aye. All those opposed say no. The motion is carried for the motion to pass. Third reading. Representative Kahaloa.

Madam Speaker, I move that House Bill number 2240 HD1 as listed on page two, pass. Third reading.

Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

Any discussion on this item? Representative Iwamoto.

Thank you. Madam Speaker. I rise in support with reservations after reading the bill. I see. I appreciate that there is funding for the House and the Senate for session, as well as what happens in between sessions. It goes into detail about what this budget would cover. It does not include the words special session.

It does not include the words override session. It is my understanding that those expenses would be included in this budget. But my reservations are that it does not state that explicitly. And I'm concerned because the public has before been informed that the cost of special session was one of the reasons why we did not have special session.

So for those reasons, I sent it with reservations.

Thanks. Any further discussion? Representative Souza?

No vote and permission to insert written comments into the journal.

So ordered. Thank you. Okay. Representative Morikawa for the vote.

Madam speaker, on the measure before us, all majority Members vote Aye.

Representative Garcia.

On the measure before us, all minority Members vote Aye. With the exception of the previous speaker.

Have all votes been cast? Said House Bill passes. Third reading. Item number seven, introduction of resolutions. Mr. Clerk, are there any resolutions for action?

Madam speaker, there are no resolutions for action. May all others be referred to print.

So ordered. Item number 8 announcements. Members, are there any announcements? Represent Representative Ichiyama.

Thank you. Speaker. Just wanted to remind Members that the National Conference of State Legislatures and our new point person from NCSL from Hawaii, Win Vong, is hosting a lunch for all of the Members, House and Senate, to be held in Conference Room 329 immediately following the end of floor session. So Members, please join us for lunch.

There will also be a staff breakfast on Wednesday from 8 to 9. Thank you. Thank you.

Any further announcements? See None. Representative Morikawa.

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

Representative Garcia.

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 noon tomorrow.