House Floor

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

[Roll Call] Madam Speaker, all 50 Members are 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, any introductions? Representative Quinlan.

Madam Speaker, we have a very special guest in the audience today. Connor Cullen, will you please stand? Connor is a first grader. He's seven years old and he attends St. Michael School in Waialua, which is my district.

Awesome. Thank you, Connor. He's here today because he's on spring break and he's accompanying his mother, Emma Perry, helping do important work for the people of Hawaii. Connor Cullen, welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Takenouchi.

Thank you, Speaker. Today, Members, we're joined from by volunteers from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Can all the volunteers please rise? This is a group made up of cancer patients, cancer survivors, and caretakers from across the state, and they're here to meet with Members as part of Cancer Action Day. Welcome to your House of Representatives. And may I have permission to enter their names into the Journal?

So ordered. Representative Miyake.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to introduce some of the amazing volunteers from the American Cancer Society Cancer Cancer Action Network Day. Please stand to be recognized. These are the volunteers from Maui. Emberlyn Alcantara, David Kauha'aha'a, Cassie Pali, Ashley Rodrigues, Kahalawai Rodrigues Guzman, Kelly Rodrigues Yamamoto, Debra Ulii, Henry Ulii, and Kellen King. Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Takayama.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I just wanted to add that among the contingent of volunteers from the Cancer Society is an almost neighbor of mine in Pearl City, Kimberly Omine. Welcome to our, welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Todd.

I don't do this very often, but I have an introduction. Today, we have the husband of our state Teacher of the Year who's been a friend of mine for over twenty years and gave me my first beer when I was over 21 years old. We have Chris Hannigan. Please stand. Thank you very much.

Representative Morikawa.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'd like to make a special introduction from for people who came from Kauai. Michelle Imura, Patty Hoff, Michelle Mickey LaVar, Yuri Matos, and Christel Pope. Thank you. Welcome.

Representative La Chica.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a couple introductions to make. First, on behalf of the Representative from Mililani and myself, we'd like to welcome the family of who's here to congratulate the National Distinguished Principal of the Year.

Please rise when you I call your name. We have Denise, his wife. We have Blaine, his son, who's currently attending UH Manoa studying biochemistry. We have Brennan, who also is attending UH Manoa studying electrical engineering. And we have Brianna, their daughter, attending Pearl City High School.

Welcome to your House of Representatives. Also joining the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network is a constituent of mine who's traveling from the district. I have Chandra Quinlan. Maybe no relation to our Majority Leader. And also, I'd like to recognize good friends of mine, Elton Fukumoto and Lila Johnson, also from the. Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Ilagan.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. A quick introduction to Hale and Paco from the Teamsters. If you could please rise. And welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Iwamoto.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'd like to introduce some special guests from the Girl Scouts of Hawaii led by their fearless leader, Dr. Kanoe Nāone. Please rise, and welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Perruso.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'd like to introduce one of my interns for the Keiki Caucus Internship this session, Connor Birdslel. If you could please stand and be recognized. So Connor is a student at Hawaii Technical Academy and is very committed and has been spending a lot of time in our office, and we're really grateful. Thank you, Connor. Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Kahaloa.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Just a brief introduction. I see Ros McCullough from Kamehameha Schools. Please stand, and welcome to your House of Representatives.

Okay. Members, if there's no further introductions, we'll turn now to the order of the day. Mr. Clerk, are there any floor presentations?

Yes, madam speaker. We have one floor presentation today. House Resolution number 201 congratulating the 2025 Hawaii National Distinguished Principal, 2025 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Awardee, 2026 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year, and 2026 United States Senate Youth Program Delegates. This resolution is offered by Representatives Woodson and La Chica.

Representative Woodson.

Thank you. I moved to adopt the resolution.

Representative La Chica.

Madam speaker, I second the motion.

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

Thank you. I would like to defer to the speaker of the house.

Speaker Nakamura.

Thank you, speaker. I was given a tough assignment earlier this last week to.

In support?

In support of the resolution. I was given a tough homework assignment and that was to talk about my fir, by a teacher, to talk about a teacher who really inspired me growing up. And I had a very, difficult time doing this, having gone through the public education system at Aliamanu Elementary, Aliamanu Intermediate, and Radford High Schools, and my children going through Kapaa Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.

But I settled on one teacher who inspired me, and that was my fifth grade teacher at Aliamanu Intermediate School, Mrs. Holzman. And the reason why she stood up is because she made learning fun for me. She, after reading Pippi Longstocking, we learned how to make and pull taffy. She taught an afternoon after school class in knitting and crochet.

She took us on a weekend getaway to her house in Lanikai with my girlfriends, and she brought in an incredible intern who was teaching our class, and we dissected the song American Pie. He also, this intern, sponsored a writing contest that I luckily won that gave me the opportunity to go to my very first concert to see Michael Jackson at the NBC when he was still part of the Jackson Five. So, I just want to say that I had so many inspiring teachers, people who made learning fun, and, I'm just proud to be a public, a product of the public education system.

Representative Woodson.

Thank you. As we officially start our recognitions for education week here on the floor.

In support?

Yes. Madam Speaker, in support. Thank you. As we officially start recognitions for Education Week here on the floor, I am so grateful to the Speaker of the House for sharing the impact that her teachers, her education had on her life. Because that is a positive impact that passes through to all of us.

It passes through to all of us. And all of us in this chamber, we have similarly, similar stories. All as in all in the chamber, all as in all watching in the gallery, all as in all watching on social media. And it is that individual connection that we share with our special teacher, that translates ultimately into a stronger self. And that stronger self collectively translates into a stronger community. And when our communities thrive, we know our state thrives. And when our states thrive, our country thrives.

And when our country thrives, that is a benefit to the rest of the world. And to me, that is the power of education. And so it's a real pleasure and honor to have the opportunity to recognize our educators for what they do to strengthen our communities, as they make the world a better place. And so I just want to sincerely say thank you for all that you do. And we are forever grateful.

And with that, I would like to yield. Yeah. Go ahead. That's a, that's a clock. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And with that, I'd like to yield to the gentle lady from Mililani Malka.

Representative Matsumoto.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In strong support. It is my pleasure to congratulate the Hawaii Elementary and Middle School Administrators Association 2025 Hawaii National Distinguished Principal, Mr. Gavin Tsue. Principal Tsue is the principal of Palisades Elementary School.

With thirty years of experience, he leads with humility and purpose, creating meaningful project based learning experiences for students in emerging fields like renewable energy and artificial intelligence. Under his leadership, Palisade students became the only elementary school to win a top prize in this year's design intelligence lab contest competing among high school and middle school students. Please join me in congratulating our 2025 National Distinguished Principal Mr. Gavin Tsue. I now yield to my colleague from Palolo.

Representative Sayama.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, also in strong support. I'm proud to recognize mister Baba Yim of Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻO Ānuenue as a recipient of the 2025 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award. Mister Yim serves as Po'okumu of his K to 12 Hawaiian language immersion school in Palolo, where he plays a crucial role in the revitalization of the indigenous language and culture of our islands.

Mister Yim is equally focused on providing a quality educational experience to Keiki who call Hawaii home, empowering them to be good stewards of our and shaping people of good character. Please join me in congratulating mister Baba Yim, recipient of the 2025 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award.

I now yield to my colleague from Hilo.

Representative Todd.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In support. Today, it is my pleasure to recognize my friend and 2026 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year, Elise Hannigan. As Freshman Academy coordinator for Keaau High School, Elise reestablished the school's summer bridge program, which helps new students build connections and a sense of belonging before their first day of school. We could probably use one of those programs here at the capitol for new legislators. Make them everyone feel welcome.

As a result of this initiative and her diligence and hard work, Keaau High has seen a substantial increase in ninth grade retention, and their freshman academy was recognized by the National Career Academy Coalition. Her holistic approach to student success has created a more supportive school, culture where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

On a personal note, her success story at Keaau High is not surprising to me because I have seen Elise in action as a mom to her twins Olivia and Zara who are two of Ruby's buddies. If our daughter's play dates are any indication, your school, your community, and state are very lucky to have you. Thank you for your dedication and constant infectious optimism.

Please join me in congratulating our 2026 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year, Elise Hannigan. I yield my time to my colleague from West Maui.

Representative Cochran.

Mahalo Madam Speaker, and I rise in support. It is my pleasure to honor miss Anna Nguyen of Maui Preparatory Academy who represented Hawaii as a 2026 United States Senate Youth Program delegate in Washington DC this past week. Miss Nguyen serves as her school's National Honor Society president, model UN co president, and as a policy fellow at Housing Hawaii's Future, where she works closely with policy advisors to research Maui zoning code and its implications on housing production.

Miss Nguyen plans to further her interest in civic engagement by studying economics and politics with the goal of becoming an attorney, and is immensely grateful for her family, friends, and mentors, who's guidance has developed her world view of empathy and solution orientated change.

Please join me in congratulating one of our United States Senate Youth Program delegates, Ms. Anna Nguyen. I now yield, the floor to my colleague from Eva and Waipahu.

Representative Pierick.

Thank you. In support.

Please proceed.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today, I have the honor to recognize miss Lotus Yasuda from Waipahu High School, who will also be representing Hawaii as a 2026 United States Senate Youth Program Delegate. Ms. Yosoda serves as a chairperson on the Hawaii State Student Council, where she represents and advocates for over 165,000 public and charter school students across the islands by driving positive change.

Through encouragement with education officials, Miss Yasuda is also an ambassador for pledge to our keiki, demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental stewardship in her hometown of Waipahu. Miss Yasuda contributed to the creation of a community garden in collaboration with a non profit organization, combining traditional and modern agricultural practices to support conservation of Hawaii's natural ecosystem.

She plans to pursue her post secondary education in environmental studies and international relations, aspiring to fulfill her mission to create meaningful impact on public service and sustainability. Please join me in congratulating another one of our United States Senate Youth Program delegates, Miss Lotus Yosida.

On behalf of the House of Representatives, I would like to thank the guests in the gallery who have joined us to recognize our awardees. Welcome to your house of representatives. Madam speaker, I request that their names be inserted into the journal.

So ordered.

Okay. Members, all in favor say aye. The motion is carried. Representative Woodson, please proceed with the certificate and lei presentation.

The Chair will call a recess to allow the members of the house to meet and congratulate the honorees. Recess.

Will the house come to order? Item number six, announcements. Members, are there any announcements? Representative Quinlan.

Thank you, madam speaker. In honor of Saint Patrick's Day, for those of you that would like to stick around, I have an Irish flag here and we're going to take a picture in front of the chief clerk's desk.

Erin Gobro. Members, any further introductions? Seeing none, representative Morikawa.

Madam speaker, I move that this house stands adjourned until 12:00 noon tomorrow.

Representative Garcia.

Madam 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 12:00 noon tomorrow.