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 DeCoite and Senator Richards.

Thank you, Mr. President. This morning's moment of contemplation was delivered by my committee colleague, Kalay Kamaka Cruz. Please.

Behind you.

Behind me. Thank you, Mr. President. Joining her in the gallery are her grandparents, her grandmother Encarsian Cruz, and her grandfather, a Vietnam War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Senti Cruz. Mahalo for your service. Thank you. Mr. President, also in the gallery is my Office Manager, Iseta Maloufao, as well as my committee, my Legislative Assistant, Mr. Richard Oshiro. Thank you for all you that you do. Mahalo. And may I also enter their names into the journal? Thank you.

I beg your pardon, Senator?

Can I also enter their names into the journal? Thank you.

When you have mentioned their names on the floor, then they will be automatically transcribed in. Senator Richards, who is not gonna read every name but submit them so we can enter them to the journal.

Thank you, Mr. President. You might know a recurrent theme of color in the gallery. Today, we are Take Down Tobacco Day, and we're here to celebrate that with the young people. So, please stand and be recognized. Come on, all you guys. Stand up. Welcome to your Senate. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Further introductions? Senator Kidani.

Thank you, Mr. President. I believe superintendent Keith Hayashi is in the audience today.

Yes, he is.

Thank you.

Senator Keohokalole.

Yeah. Thank you, Mr. President. In the gallery are two interns in our office, Greg Cochero and Tammy Dow. Please rise. Welcome to the Senate.

Do we have any further introductions? If not, senator Kidani.

Thank you, Mr. President. As our Senate education week 2026 festivities continue, I am pleased to welcome today's outstanding honorees this morning. This week gives us the opportunity to recognize the many educators, students, and community members who go above and beyond to support learning across our great state. The individuals who we honor today exemplify the dedication, leadership, and a deep commitment to the success of Hawaii students. We are grateful for their contributions and proud to recognize their impact. Joining us in, in the gallery or as well, or besides, Superintendent Hayashi.

I thank him for all of what he does for our Department of Education. Again, mahalo Superintendent Hayashi. I now yield the floor to the senator from District 15.

Senator Wakai.

Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you to senator Kidani for allowing me to partner with her in recognizing excellence in education during this year's Senate education week festivities. Today, I have the privilege of honoring two exceptional awardees in my district. The first honoree is named the 2025 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award recipient. That is Baba Yim. Baba, if you could please stand to be recognized.

Baba is a principal of Keikula Kai Upuni or Anuenui in Palolo Valley. In his role, he prioritizes the well-being of Anuenui students and leads through service to the Keiki, their families, and the entire school community. Baba also plays an important role in the revitalization of the indigenous language and culture of our islands while ensuring that every one of his Haumana receives a high quality educational experience. As a leader of his of this K through 12 Hawaiian immersion school, he also manages unique challenges, including coordinating transportation for students who travel from all over the island each day to attend his wonderful school. Please, everyone join me in congratulating Baba Yim as a recipient of the 2025 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award.

The next honoree I have the privilege of honoring is Doctor Julia Kramer, the Mark Takai JVEF outstanding civilian contributor awardee. Doctor Kramer. Oh, you've already risen. Thank you for joining us today.

Doctor Kramer is the STEM Outreach Program Coordinator at Pearl Harbor Navy Shipyard and intermediate maintenance facility. In 2025, she led 85 outreach events across 20 DOE schools, reaching approximately 5,000 students with hands on stem learning experiences. Doctor Kramer has built strong partnerships with organizations such as Climb High and Hawaii and the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum.

She has also secured funding through the Office of Naval Research and Department of Defense STEM grants. Through these efforts, Doctor Kramer has expanded opportunities and created meaningful pathways for her vice students to pursue futures in STEM. Please join me in celebrating Doctor Julia Kramer and welcoming her guest to the gallery, in the gallery, from the Pearl Harbor Navy Shipyard Intermediate Maintenance Facility.

Her husband, engineer Daniel Kahone. Dan. There's Daniel. Also joining them, joining Daniel, is ship, Ship Commander, Captain Ryan McCrillis, Director of Transformation, Tracey Hanlon, and in the, and Innovation and Technology Insertion Division Head, Sheila Deach. Congratulations to them for being here and to Doctor Kramer. I now yield, yield the floor to the senator from District 12.

Oh, Senator Moriwaki.

Aloha. Thank you, Mr. President.

Today, I have the honor of recognizing the awardee from my district and also my alma mater, Kairiki High School, as the 2025 Hawaii Association, Secondary School Administrator State Principal of the Year, Lorelei Aiwohi. Lorelei, please stand. With 29 years of experience as an administrator, including nineteen years as principal, Lorelei has spent the past two and a half years transforming Kaimuki High School into a model of student empowerment. Under her leadership, the school has expanded its cultural clubs, helping students build pride, belonging, and mutual respect. Lorelai's dedications to students is also evident in the success of the school's English learner program, which has shown measurable gains in academic performance, a stronger sense of community, and increased enrollment. Please join me in congratulating Lorelai, the 2025 Hawaii Association Secondary School Administrator's State Principal of the Year.

Please also welcome her guest in the Gallery, Complex Area Superintendent, Lynelle Dilwith with the Kaimaki McKinley Roosevelt Complex Area. Thank you. I now yield the floor to senator from District 5.

Senator Hashimoto.

Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of myself, Senator McKelvey, and Senator DeCoite, it is my pleasure to introduce Jacqueline McCandless, Hawaii Association Secondary School Administrator State Principal of the Year. Jacqueline, please stand. Jackie has 23 years of experience as an administrator including eight years as principal of Maui Waena Intermediate. She is known for her collaborative leadership involving students, staff, and families in every decision.

From student led family fun nights to launching a popular e-sports elective, Jackie has created new opportunities for students to connect, be creative, and grow their skills. Mahalo Jackie for your hard work and please join me in congratulating our Hawaii Association Secondary School Administrator's State Principal of the Year. Mahalo, Jackie. I now yield the floor to senator from District 22.

Senator DeCorte.

Mr. President, thank you. Mahalo. And I have the privilege of honoring our next honoree on the floor, Sergeant Becky Akers, the recipient of the Daniel K. Inouye JVEF Outstanding Military Contributor Award. Sergeant Akers, if you could please stand to be recognized.

At Daniel K. Inouye Elementary, Sergeant Akers has made a big impact on both students and the school community. She has led a school-wide Veterans Day assembly, coordinated service projects to support the ASYMCA Wheeler Food Pantry, and brought new energy to campus throughout events like the spooktacular dance, holiday shop, and garden party. Please join me in congratulating Sergeant Becky Akers and welcoming her guests in the gallery, Command Sergeant Major James Gaiz. Yep. Ariana Briess, please stand—oh, please remain standing.

Ariana Briess, Alexia Salazar, Melanie Ortiz-Ulrichs, Dawson Akers, Tamika White, Laura Pengrey, Philip King, Nigel Coe, and Elaine Perry. Mahalo, Sergeant Akers. And please give a round of applause for her guests. Thank you.

Mr. President, I would also like to recognize an additional honoree, Josette Kaleo Akim Hanohano, Windward District's Castle Kahuku Complex Area Teacher of the Year. Kaleo has taught modern history of Hawaii and Hawaiian language over thirty years, including the past five at Kahuku High and Intermediate. There, she pioneered the Aina Momona Program, an immersive place-based experience that connects students, faculty, and the community directly to the land and to Hawaiian history. Please join me in congratulating Kaleo. Thank you, Mr. President.

I would also like to recognize David Adler, Leeward District's Nanakuli Wai'anae Complex Area Teacher of the Year. While we are unable to have him join us on the Senate floor today due to space limitations, we are proud to recognize his outstanding contribution. David specializes in sixth grade math at Nanakuli Elementary, where he has been teaching over twenty years, innovating teaching methods that has helped to increase student math proficiency scores from 12% to an outstanding 60%. He is also an Education Programs Consultant with the native Hawaiian nonprofit organization, Malama Loka—Malama Loko Ia Foundation—where he proves mentoring and assisting in writing grants that help fund unique learning experience for students across the Nanakuli Wai'anae Complex Area. Please join me in congratulating David and mahalo for all of your hard work.

And I now yield the floor to the senator from District 20.

Senator Fevella.

Thank you, Senate President. Although unable to join us today, I have the honor to recognizing my constituent, Courtney Summa, District Campbell Kapolei Complex Area Teacher of the Year. Courtney is a career academic academy, excuse me, Academy Coordinator at Kapolei School High School where she has spent fourteen years of her career in higher roles creating opportunities like internship, mentorship, a connection to the students, and helping them grow and, and prepare for the future success. Under her leadership, five of the schools in the 7, 7 academies, have complex a national career academy coalition received process to earning high school, distinguished and model distinguishing, and three of them are model, models status. Let's give a round of applause to Courtney Summa.

And now I yield the floor to senator from District 18.

Senator Kidani.

Thank you, Mr. President. Congratulations to all of today's awardees and Mahalo to everyone here for joining us in celebrating their remarkable contributions to education. Your presence truly lifts this entire week and means so much to our students and our educators. Colleagues, a quick reminder that tomorrow from 9 AM to 12 PM, the Senate will be hosting the Hawaii Public Education Student Showcase in the Rotunda. 33 schools from DOE public and charter schools will be sharing their incredible work from their students.

We hope to see you there as we continue celebrating the talent, dedication, and achievements of our students, our teachers, and our schools. Senate President, I now yield the floor.

Thank you. And I believe senator Kidani did inform each of us that there will be at least one school from every senate district presenting tomorrow. So, to the members, well, you would I'm sure go and visit everyone. Make sure you go and find the school from your district and see what,what is happening in your district. To the current group in the gallery, they are so much more polite and well behaved than the rockest crew that was here for our charter school teacher enthusiastically cheering her on yesterday.

Thank you for your behavior. Madam Clerk.

Governor's message numbers 769 and 770. Transmit nominations to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Governor's message numbers 769 and 770 are referred in accordance with the referrals listed on the order of the day. And, of course, I forgot again to say to our honored guests, we'll be done in two more minutes. We're going to adjourn. The members would like to greet you, take some photographs, and the sergeant at arms will escort the friends and family from the gallery to come to the floor and share in the recognition you so richly deserve. Again, madam clerk.

On page two, standing committee report numbers 3100 and 3101 for adoption.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move for the adoption of standing committee reports numbers 3100 and 3101.

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.

Referrals and re-referrals.

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

No further business, Mr. President.

Are there any announcements? Senator DeCoite, then Senator Awa.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise on a point of personal privilege.

Please proceed.

As many of you you know, the Women's Legislative Caucus hosts its annual Easter Basket Drive to support outstanding organizations that serve women and children in need. To help us all get into the Easter spirit, you'll also have a chance to vote for which male freshman legislator will take on the honorary roles of Easter Bunny and Easter Chick. Bunny ballots have been placed on your desk today. Please select one member from the ballot and return your completed vote to my office by the end of the day. Finally, we invite you to join the Women's Legislative Caucus on Monday, March 23rd, immediately following the house floor session and to bring your Easter basket donations.

Mahalo.

Thank you. Senator Awa.

Late introduction, please.

Please proceed.

I just saw at, at the time, one, one walked out, but two longtime cameramen were up here. One from KITV, Paul Omenkar, one from KHO, and Bob Kramer. The reason I pointed out is because the news stations have been getting rid of the longtime cameramens. And if you think, like, hey, the shots is bad now.

Just wait another five years. So, I just wanted to recognize them for the work that they do even if we don't agree with it, try to make us look good. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other announcements? If not, the Chair has won. Majority members, please report to the majority caucus room immediately following session. Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move that the Senate stand adjourned to 11:30 AM tomorrow.

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 11:30 AM tomorrow.