Senate Floor

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

[Roll Call] 20 present, five excused.

Thank you. Members oh, I guess before we begin, we have some housekeeping to take care of. Following governor Josh Green's announcement that state offices would be closed on Friday, March 13 due to severe weather conditions, the speaker legislature would be closed. As a result, today, which would have been the twenty eighth legislative day of the session is redesignated as day 27. Numbering of all subsequent legislative days will be adjusted accordingly.

The redesignation will not affect any deadlines on the legislative timetable except for the substantive resolution cutoff, which was moved to this afternoon. Madam clerk, I have read the journal of the preceding day and approved the same. Are there any introductions this morning? Senator Kim?

President, thank you so much. Mister President, I'd like to recognize in the gallery a group of students from the University of Hawaii, Daniel K. Inouye, College of Pharmacy, who are visiting us today for the U H Pharmacy Advocacy Day, and if they can all stand to be recognized. Mister President, they are accompanied by College of Pharmacy Dean Ray Matsumoto and Doctor Corey Sanders, executive director of the Hawaii pharmacy association, and they are visiting us today for pharmacy advocacy day. And can they be stand or wave to us so we can see them?

Thank you. And I wanna thank them for this as well. Appreciate that. Mister president, I will send in the names if they can be entered into the journal. Thank you.

So ordered further introductions? If not, I think it's still you, Senator Kim.

Mister pPresident, as you know, every year we celebrate Education Week, and this year is no different. I am proud to be the cochair alongside with my education Vice Chair, senator Kidani, and this offers us a meaningful opportunity to recognize the extraordinary dedication of our students, teachers, administrators, and education professionals across our state. These individuals are setting high standards of achievement throughout the state, fostering innovation in

the classroom, and strengthening our communities through their commitment to learning. Their efforts not only uplift their schools and peers, but also help shape a strong promising future for our islands. As Chair of the committee on education,

I am proud to celebrate their accomplishments and honor them. Each year, we designate this week welcoming outstanding members of the education community to the capital. And through our floor presentation and events, we shine a well deserved spotlight on those go who go go who go above and beyond our service to our students. While we formally recognize a select group, today's honorees represent the thousands of individuals across our education system who work tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to ensure student success. Their resilience, compassion, and dedication inspire me greatly in my role as education Chair.

I really, mister chair, would like to, mister president, extend my sincere appreciation to senator Kidani for her partnership and for co chairing the education committee week with me. Actually, to be honest, she is the one that is responsible for everything on education week. Everything from our flyers in the elevators to the books on your on your tables members with all the people that are here today and will be here all week. It is her and her staff that deserve the recognition for Education Week. Mr.

President, I will be sending in names to you each day for all of the honorees and their accomplishments and and ask that they be entered into the state journal each day to ensure that the 2026 Education Week recipients are fully recognized. I now turn the floor over to senator from District 17 to introduce our first two honorees. Senator Dela Cruz.

Senator Dela Cruz.

Thank you, Mr. President. As a resident of District 17, our first honoree is principal Gavin Tzuay. The 2025 National Association of Elementary School Principal Award recipients. Gavin, please stand to be recognized.

Gavin has led Palisades elementary for eleven years as its principal. Under his leadership, the school consistently exceeds state benchmarks for reading and math and impressively exceeds pre COVID achievement despite the challenges of pandemic learning loss. Gavin spearheaded multiple initiatives that activate engagement by centering students' interests and passions, including clubs that emphasize leadership, culinary arts, gaming, fitness, and stem. All the stuff that most of us didn't have. His instructional leadership has focused on establishing cross grade consistency and enable and enabling vertically and horizontally articulated learning objectives while including students in the school improvement process.

Please join me in congratulating Palisades Elementary Principal Gavin Sui as the 2025 National Association of Elementary School Principal Award recipient and welcoming his guests to the gallery. His wife, Denise, and children, Blaine, Brennan, and Brianna. Welcome to the assembly. Thank you, Gavin. You may be seated.

I also have the honor of recognizing, my constituent, Taylee Miyamura, the 2025 Milken Teacher of Promise. Taylee, please stand to be recognized. Taylee is a licensed K twelve school counselor in her third year at Mililani Middle School. She began as a grade level counselor and girls soccer coach and now serves as a high risk counselor and department head. Under her guidance, the counseling department has strengthened its support systems while promoting outcomes through data driven practices and tier two interventions.

Taylee also played a key role in implementing a multi tiered attendance program contributing to a 2% increase in regular attendance during 2024-2025 school year. Please join me in congratulating Taylee as the 2025 Milken teacher of Promise and welcoming her guests in the gallery, her parents, Dayton and Leanne. And she also has, with her, some of her colleagues from Mililani Middle School. So if you can also be recognized, stand and be recognized. Mahalo Teily.

You may be seated. I now turn the floor over to the senator from District 10.

Senator Ihara.

Mister President, I'm honored to recognize Marlon Hutton as a 2025 middle levels assistant principal of the year. Could you stand to be recognized? Marlon has served as vice principal for fifteen years, the last nine at new new new valley middle school, where she has played a key role in transforming the school's culture. Marlene has led in house mini conferences that encourage teacher collaboration and the sharing of best practices. And she initiated staff learning walks to spark deeper dialogue around instructional strategies.

As a result of her efforts, teacher satisfaction at Neo Valley rose from 32 to nearly 83%. Please join me in congratulating Marlyn Hutton as a 2025 middle level assistant principal of the year. And also we'd like to welcome her guests in the gallery, her husband, Thomas Hutton and complex complex area superintendent Rochelle Mahoy

of the Farrington Keiser Kalani Complex area. Welcome. Mister president, I now yield a floor from the to the senator from District 3.

Senator Kanuha.

Thank you, Mister President. Mahalo, everyone. I would like to recognize the constituent of District 2, Hidi Botello. If you'll please stand and be recognized. Hidi is a 2025 National Association of Elementary School assistant principal honoree.

Hidi was born and raised in Lorapuna as a proud product of the Pahoa Complex. He has dedicated the past twenty years to the DOE, serving students in various roles. For the past eight years, she has served as vice principal of Kione Poco Elementary. Congratulations, Heade. Please join me in recognizing the 2025 National Association of Elementary School assistant principal recipient and welcoming her guests in the gallery, BOE board chairperson, Jaren Takumi.

Please recognize and congratulate Healy. Another honoree from District 2, although unable to join us today, the honoree from District 2 is Don Spiro Robinson, Hawaii District's Hilo Waiakea Complex Area Teacher of the Year. With over 35 years of teaching experience, Dawn now supports elementary schools within the Hilo Waiakea Complex Area as district autism consulting teacher as a district autism consulting teacher. In this role, she collaborates with and trains students, parents, teachers, and staff to foster a deeper understanding of various disabilities and support they require. Congratulations, Dawn.

Also, another introduction. Although they were also on unable to join us today, I am honored to recognize two honorees from district four. Steve Hanks, West Hawaii District's Honokaa, Kealakea, Kohala, Honawaina Complex Area Teacher of the Year, and Phyllis Kane Kune, 2025 outstanding library service award recipient. Steve Hanks, in addition to service serving as a registrar at Honokawa High and Intermediate School for the past twelve years, Steve teaches AP Calculus through DOE's Hawaii online courses for eleventh and twelfth grade students. Phyllis is a librarian at the Thelma Parker Public School.

For many years, she has partnered with the NASA at my library program. A national stem initiative designed to expand and enhance learning opportunities at for library communities. Congratulations to Steve Hanks and Phyllis Kane Cooney. I now turn the floor over to the senator from District 7.

Before District 7, we can. Is that you, senator DeCoite, seven?

Thank you, Mister President.

I know I'm eight, so I gotta be

Sorry. I'm still recovering from the swim over this morning. Thank you to the senator from District 2, for, speaking on behalf of the rest of the Big Island senators that couldn't be here. Mahalo. I would like to recognize Susan Chiu from my district as Maui District's Hana, Lahainaluna, Lanai Molokai Complex area, teachers of teacher of the year.

Although she was unable to join us on the floor today, I am proud to recognize her dedication. Susan has taught at Lanai High and Elementary School for the past 26 years, where she currently teaches kindergarten. She teaches all subjects through through a whole child approach that supports academic social and emotional growth. Susan actively involves families in their child's learning and champions school wide efforts that build strong educational foundations beyond the classroom. Susan is a committed volunteer and community member often seen supporting cultural events school fundraisers and family activities.

Her strong ties to Lanai and her dedicated care for children make her an aspiring educator and positive force in the school community. Congratulations to Susan Chu. Maui District Hana, Lahainaluna, Lanai Molokai Complex Area Teacher of the Year. I now I now yield the floor to the senator from District 5.

Senator Hashimoto.

Thank you very much to the senator from District 7. Although not able to join us today, I'm excited to recognize Maui District's Baldwin Kekalike Koolani Heikoi Maui Complex Area Teacher of the Year Crystal Pigao. Crystal is a fifth grade teacher at Waihe'e Elementary where she adapts her teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of her students. She has been part of the Waihe'e Elementary community for sixteen years during which she has taught grades three through five and previously served as a school's technology integration specialist. In every role Crystal has has held, she has remained focused on student growth and engagement while using innovative technology to enhance learning in the classroom.

Mahalo crystal for your hard work and commitment. I would also like to recognize the 2025 John Philip Souza Foundation Band World Legion of Honor Award recipient Carrie Wasano of Maui High School. Kerry has dedicated 2027 years as band director at Maui High School and is a proud 1989 graduate of the school. He earned his bachelor's degree in music and post baccalaureate certification in secondary education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and later completed a director of folk art certification in wind band conducting at Moscow State University for culture and arts. As music department head, he oversees the freshman concert band, symphonic band, and marching band, fostering both musical excellence and student leadership.

Congratulations to Carey, the 2025 John Philip Souza Foundation Band World Legion of Honor award recipient. I now yield the floor to the senator from District 16.

Senator Elefante.

Thank you, Mister President. Before I begin on a point of personal privilege, just wanna shout out, principal of Palisades Elementary, Gavin Sui. We appreciate all your hard work and efforts there. Thank you. I'm excited to recognize the next honoree, my constituent, Christopher Giusto, as a Central District's Lelehua Mililani Wailua Complex teacher of the year.

Christopher is the agriculture teacher at Mililani Middle School where he provides students with a hands on learning experiences in composting, aquaponics, hydroponics, gardening and aqua farming. Throughout his 26 years at the school, he has also taught science, social studies and PE and currently serves as the girls basketball coach and the high interest program garden club advisor. Christopher prioritizes building strong connections with his students and integrating real world experiences into his lessons Exemplified by his fifteen year partnership with the Waianae Mountain Watershed Forest Restoration.

Where he has inspired students to pursue careers focused on restoring Hawaiian land to traditional systems. Let's give a round of applause for Christopher and Mahalo for his contributions. I now yield the floor to the senator from District 14.

Senator Kim.

Thank you, Mister President. On your behalf, I would like to introduce two honorees who reside in your District 8. And although they're unable to join us today, I wanna recognize Penny Vess, Hawaii's 2025 high school assistant principal of the year. Penny, a longtime vice principal at Waimea High School, leads the Freshman Academy Guiding Ninth graders through a successful transition to high school with personalized support and a strong focus on career exploration. Her leadership led to 100% freshman promotion in the first year of her revamped model and national recognition for the academy in 2019.

Committed to equity and inclusion, she also helped mainstream all special education students, ensuring every learner receives the support needed to thrive academically and personally. So congratulations to Penny Vess, Hawaii's 2025 high school assistant principal of the year. Next honoree from district eight is Natsumi Yamasato Kauai District Kapa Kapa Kauai Waimea Complex area teacher of the year. Natsumi is a STEM and media teacher at Wilcox Elementary where she emphasizes hands on lessons and real world applications that give students voice and choice. Drawing on her experience as an architect in Japan and Hawaii, Natsumi Natsume brings a unique perspective to her students and has even partnered with an elementary school in Japan to create global learning connections.

So congratulations to Natsume. Finally, Mister President, I wanna thank all my colleagues today who helped recognize an exceptional group of educators who truly represents the heart of public education in Hawaii. It is their dedication to their classrooms and their work continues to make a lasting impact on students, schools, and communities across our state. We're very grateful for the opportunity to celebrate their contributions and their achievements during Senate education week. Lastly, I'd like to take a moment to recognize one of our longtime community partners, friends of the library, for their continued support of edu Senate education week.

Many of us look forward to their annual book fair at the Capitol during this exciting week of celebration. So mahalo to Nainoa Mau and the Friends of the Library volunteers for bringing the book fair to the Capitol this morning. It is a wonderful way to kick off education week and we welcome all of our honored guests today's celebration. Mister president, I now yield the floor.

Thank you. Hand for the libraries. If there are no objections, I'm gonna take a brief recess. Will the Senate please come back into order? We have a brief agenda toward adjournment, so I'll ask our honored guests to be patient. After we adjourn, we'll have the sergeants escort the friends and family from the gallery to the floor, and the members would like to meet you individually, congratulate you, and then take pictures. Madam Clerk.

On page two, judiciary communication numbers 23 to 25 transmit judicial appointments to the district courts of the first and third circuits.

Judiciary communication numbers 23 to 25 are referred to the committee on judiciary.

Introduction of measures. Senate Concurrent Resolution numbers 6069 to 108 and Senate resolution number 64 to 101 for refer to committee.

So ordered.

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.

Miscellaneous communications. Mister president, I'm in receipt of two memoranda from the honorable Ronald D Kouchi, president of the Senate, and the honorable Nadine K Nakamura, speaker of the House of Representatives related to the closure of the legislature on Friday, March 13. Miscellaneous communication number three dated March12,2026 adjusts the sub substantive resolution introduction deadline to today, March16,2026. And miscellaneous communication number four, dated today, renumbers the legislative days for the duration of the session. File. No further business, mister president.

Are there any announcements today? Senator Kim.

Thank you, Mister President. I rise, to request a waiver of the public notice requirement pursuant to Senate rule 21 to hold a hearing on House Bills number 2172 House Draft 2, 1785 House Draft 1, 1780 House Draft 1, 1872 House Draft 1, 1889 House Draft 1, 1893 House Draft 2, 2324 House Draft 1, and 2300 House Draft 1, due to unforeseen weather circumstances, Mr. President.

And, Senator Kim, I think the second to the last is 2344.

2344. Yes.

And you said 2024 with all of the lists, so the clerk has got that right.

Apologize, mister president.

The waiver is granted, Senator Kim.

Thank you. Your committees on education will hold a public hearing on said measures on Wednesday, March 18 at 1PM in Conference Room 229. The notice was filed with the clerk's office this morning.

Thank you. Further announcements, Senator DeCoite.

Thank you, mister president. I rise on a point of personal privilege.

Please proceed.

Just a friendly reminder that the women's legislative caucus's twenty seventh annual Easter Basket Drive will take place on Monday, March 23, 2026. Immediately following the house session on the on the Rotunda level, the participating organizations include the Domestic Violence Action Center, Institute for Human Services, Parents and Children Together, the Salvation Army Hawaii, and the Mahala Mae Women's Prison Project. We welcome your Easter basket donations or you may also choose to donate online. Later this week, you will receive a ballot on your desk to vote for which legislator will have the opportunity to serve as this year's Easter bunny and Easter chick. We hope to see you all on Monday, March 23.

Mahalo.

Thank you. Any further announcements? If not, the chair has won, the deadline to file Senate Concurrent Resolutions and Senate resolutions for introduction with the clerk's office is 04:30PM this afternoon. Any further announcements? If not, Senator Wakai?

Mister President, I move that the Senate stand in recess, leaving the journal open until 04:30PM for the receipt of Senate Concurrent Resolutions and Senate resolutions. And I further move that the Senate reconvene at 11:30AM tomorrow.

Senator DeCorte?

Mister president, I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. If there are no objections from the members, the Senate will stand in recess, leaving the journal open until 04:30PM, and we'll reconvene at 11:30AM tomorrow.