Senate Floor

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

[Roll Call]

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

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, staff and guests. It is my honor to present today the inaugural Food and Product Innovation Day at the Capitol. I welcome you all to the fourth floor to learn more about this initiative.

Following floor session, they'll be there until 1pm FPIN Day at the Capitol provides an opportunity to showcase Hawaiis entrepreneurs including their locally made value added products and the network to support their endeavors. To this end, it is my pleasure to recognize Ashley Uhinui, the founder of Bake Youe A Smile, Hawaii. Ashley, would you please stand? Oops.

Then Blake. Bake You A Smile showcases traditional mochi with a contemporary spin featuring local ingredients like Kalo and Mac nuts. Welcome to your Hawaii State Senate. I now yield the floor to my colleague from District 10,

Senator Ihara.

Mahalo. I would like to introduce and welcome students from the Young Entrepreneur Program at Kaimuki High School. When I call your name, could you please stand to be recognized? Dave. Sorry, Raver Dave Alombro on this side. Okay. And Kaya Clements. And these students are accompanied by teacher Chu Hong. Welcome to the Senate. And let's welcome.

I now yield the floor to the Senator from District 19,

Senator Lamosao.

Thank you. I would like to welcome students from the agricultural program at Waipahu High School. When I call your name, please stand to be recognized. Charlene Abuyo. Sunshine Garampil. And Angel Nuevo. And Alec Bay Oshiro. These students are also accompanied by their principal Zachary Sheets. And also Vice Principal Matthew Mitsuyuki. Welcome to your Hawaii State Senate.

I now yield the floor to my colleague from District 16

Senator Elefante.

Thank you. To the Senator from Waipahu. It is my pleasure to recognize Kenny Suru. Kenny is the founder of Kenny Boy Ice Cream. Let's give him a round of applause. Kenny is a Pearl City High School student who created waves in the craft Ice cream business.

This spring, Kenny will be the youngest entrepreneur ever to participate at Leeward Community College Aina to Makeke program, which is a 12 week program that examines what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur. Welcome to your State Senate, Mr. President. I now yield the floor to the Senator from Whitmore Village,

Senator Dela Cruz.

Thank you, Mr. President. It is my pleasure to recognize Brandon and Tony Askew. Please stand and be recognized. Brandon and Pony are the co-founders of Hawaiian Vinegar Spice Co. A vinegar brewery that transforms off-grade produce into premium vinegars and seasonings inspired by Hawaii's flavors.

Welcome to the State Senate and mahalo to the Agriculture Chair and Vice Chair for their continued support of Hawaii's local ag industry.

Further introductions. Senator Keohokalole.

Thank you, Mr. President. Joining us in the gallery is a guest who is visiting from Detroit, Michigan, where it is currently 25 degrees. He is so unbothered by the 44-degree temperature in this chamber that he's got the extra button on the aloha shirt open. Chad Proudlock is here. Welcome to the Senate.

Senator Moriwaki.

Thank you, Mr. President. May I introduce and thank Dr. Raj Kumar who spoke with us in the moments. He is a. Thank you. He is a. His contemplation is a powerful reminder of the peace we can each create.

Dr. Kumar is the founder of the Hawaii Gandhi International Institute for Peace, and he laid its foundation on the day the Twin Towers were attacked on September 11, 2001 transforming a day of national sorrow into a bold commitment to peace and hope.

Through the institute, he established October 2 as Mahatma Gandhi Day and June 21 as International Yoga Day in Hawaii. As liaison for Hawaii's sister state partner, Goa in the Republic of India, he strengthened global ties and finalized a partnership in 2018, forging a connection that continues to shape our community.

He further expanded international and national connections as President of the Indian American Friendship Council, Hawaii Chapter and authorship of numerous publications circulated across our country. Dr. Kumar's life makes one truth undeniable. Peace is a choice we make with clarity, courage and purpose.

A statue of Gandhi sits along a pathway near the zoo in Waikiki, a quiet symbol of the peace we often forget, yet need to be reminded of each and every day. At this time, I'd like to also introduce other key Members of the Gandhi Institute who are with us in the gallery.

Please stand as I call your name. Dr. Ahmad Jane, Vice President and Dr. Joy Bliss, Chair of the Advisory Board. Thank you for joining us. And welcome to Your State Senate. Also with them in the gallery are my staff Hannah Mikotovich and Trevor Tomoshiro. My session staff, Joe Kopshai, who you've met.

The CIP specialist Alex Ozawa, Legislative Assistant and Venus Del Santos, my office manager. I'm truly grateful for their outstanding team and thank them for their dedication and hard work.

Further introduction, Senator Elefante.

Thank you, Mr. President. In the gallery is one of my constituents, Superintendent Keith Hayashi. If you can please stand to be recognized. And also my staff Member Taylor Sales in the gallery. Thank you, Mr. President.

Senator DeCoite.

Thank you, Mr. President. Also like to recognize in the Director Tokioka from DBEDT as well as Christine Wrighton who represents Wayfinder. Welcome to the Senate. Thank you.

Any further introductions? If not, Madam Clerk.

On page two, House communication number four transmits House Bill 9, House draft one, which passed third reading in the House for first reading and referral to Committee.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move that the House Bill 9 HD1 pass first reading by title and be referred to Committee.

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.

Standing Committee report numbers 2715-2717 for 48 hour notice. So ordered. Standing Committee report numbers 2718 and 2719 for adoption.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move for the adoption of Standing Committee reports numbers 2718-2719.

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 three. Advise and consent.

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

Standing Committee report number 2708. On governor's message number 684. Stephanie R.S. Char, gubernatorial appointee to the Circuit Court of the Fifth Circuit for adoption.

Is there any discussion? Senator Rhoads.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of Governor's message number 684.

Please proceed.

Mahalo. Stephanie Char has committed her law career to public service. For the past five years, she has been a district family court judge on Kauai, which is the Fifth Circuit. Due to the vacancies on the Fifth Circuit's circuit courts that this appointment will help fill. She has been temporarily assigned as a Circuit court judge since October.

During her time on the bench, Judge Char has participated in several task forces and committees, such as the Hawaii Family Court Rules Revision Committee. Prior to her judgeship in 2020, the judge worked in various capacities for the Office of Public Defender for 17 years.

She progressed from a deputy public defender in both the Oahu and Kauai offices to the role of supervising Deputy Public Defender for the Kauai office, where she supervised a staff of five deputies, one investigator, and two clerks.

As a trial attorney, she handled criminal trials in circuit court along with pretrial motion hearings, sentencing hearings, and motions to revoke probation, plus misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor crimes in district and traffic court. Judge Char has been an active Member of her community.

She has served on the Bar Association's Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board of Directors, the Kauai Criminal Defense Bar, and the Kauai Economic Opportunity Advisory Board for Mediation Program. She also volunteered, has also volunteered as a high school mock trial court. Sorry, trial judge, and assisted with courts in the community.

Judge Char is a graduate of the University of Denver, from which she received her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in philosophy and communications, followed by a Master of Arts degree in philosophy. She received academic and athletic scholarships and played on the university's Division 1 women's lacrosse team.

Her law degree is from the University of San Diego School of Law, and she was awarded the university's Community Defenders Award that recognizes commitment to constitutional protections for indigent criminal defendants. Judge Char has been licensed to practice in California, licensed to practice law in California since 2002 and in Hawaii since 2003.

After having reviewed the testimony, which was in support of the appointment and other materials submitted to the Committee, and having examined the appointee in a hearing, your Judiciary Committee finds that Stephanie Char is qualified to serve as a Circuit Court judge of the 5th Circuit and recommends that the Senate consent to the appointment. Mahalo.

Thank you. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any No votes? 24 Ayes. Thank you. Stephanie RS Char has been confirmed as Judge for the Circuit Court of the Fifth Circuit. Senator Rhoads.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'm pleased to introduce the new Circuit Court Judge for the Fifth Circuit, Stephanie Char. Judge Char, please stand and be recognized. Judge Char would like to recognize her guests when I announce your name. Please stand and be recognized.

Jean Sato, the judge's mother, Noah Char, the judge's husband, and their children, Naya and Sullivan Charles. There are a number of other people in the gallery who I think are here to support her and celebrate with her in this wonderful moment, including the Acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Sabrina McKenna, if you could rise.

And everybody else who's here in support of Judge Char, please rise.

So, to Judge Char. We have a short agenda so we will conclude. We'll adjourn and then the sergeant of arms will escort you and your guests to the floor where the Members will congratulate you and take photos until he stood. When you asked for supporters, I didn't see. Retired Judge Acoba is here from Kauai.

And also a Member of the Judicial Selection Commission which has been working tirelessly to continue to fill the vacancies. We have Judge Acoba. Madam Clerk.

On page four, third reading. If there are no objections from the Members, we'll be taking third reading on consent. Standing Committee report number 2701. Third reading of Senate Bill 585, Senate draft 2 relating to the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Bana Pacific Inc. Is there.

Oh, do we have unanimous consent? Trying to race through. Do we have any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations for Senators Elefante, Hashimoto, Rhodes, San Buenaventura. Any no votes? 24 Ayes. Thank you. SB 585 SD2 passes third reading. The Clerk will now read the remainder of the bills that will be taking in one motion. Madam Clerk.

Standing Committee report number 2702 on Senate Bill 2211, Senate draft 1 through 20. Senate Bill 2125, Senate draft 1.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? 24 Ayes. Thank you, Sid. Senate bills pass third reading. Referrals and re referrals are made in accordance with the order of the day and any supplemental orders of the day that may be filed later today.

Mr. President, we have a supplemental order of the day. Standing Committee report number 2724. Adoption. Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move for the adoption of standing Committee reports number 2720. 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. No further business. Mr. President, are there any announcements today? Senator Gabbard.

Hello. Mr. President, colleagues and guests, I rise to remind our everyone that tomorrow is Ag Day. It will be on the fourth floor from 11am to 1pm and it's being hosted by the Senate AEN and the House House Ag Committees and organized by the Hawaii Farm Bureau.

This year, 60 vendors will participate, representing farmers, ranchers, ag advocates and a range of organizations and entities that comprise our diverse agricultural sector. So please join us at Ag Day. And don't forget, Buy Local. It matters. Mahalo.

Thank you. Any other announcements? If not, the chair has one. Senator Kim.

Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege. Please proceed. Thank you, Mr. President. This morning before session, I was invited to Kapalama Elementary School, where they celebrated 10 student authors. And they put together this book on the life of Joseph Kikuku, who invented the steel guitar. It was a wonderful day.

Jake Shimabukuro and Alan Akaka was there to play their music. And the parents and the students were celebrated. And you should have seen the pride and the joy on all of their faces.

And this just goes to show how this kind of book can make a difference in our education system and in the lives of our students and their families. And our superintendent was also there at Kapalama also. And so I just wanted to share that with the Members. Thank you.

Thank you. Any further announcements? If not, the chair has one majority. Members, please report to the majority caucus room. Not immediately after session. Immediately after, we greet Judge Char and pose for photographs. Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move that the Senate stand adjourned until 11:30am Thursday, March 5th.

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 Thursday, March 5.