House Floor

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

{Calling Roll}

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. Mister Clerk, are there any messages from the governor?

Yes, madam speaker. We are in receipt of governor's message number six, transmitting proposed changes to the fiscal biennium 2027 executive supplemental budget. May this matter be received and filed.

So ordered. Item number four, Senate communications. Mister Clerk, are there any Senate communications?

Madam speaker, there are none.

Members, any introductions? Representative Garrett.

Thank you, madam speaker. In the gallery today is a delegation of current and former employees of the University of Hawaii that are here to show their love for our honoree. If you folks could please stand to be recognized. Welcome to your house of representatives. And madam speaker, may I have their names entered in the journal?

So ordered.

Thank you.

Representative Quinlan.

Thank you madam speaker. In the gallery today, we have some very special guests from Kahuku. Red Raiders, please rise. This is our boys basketball team accompanied by coach Brandon Akana. They are the HHSAA division one state champions.

And perhaps almost as importantly, they beat Saint Louis and Punahou to do it. Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Matayoshi.

Thank you, madam speaker. Today we have constituents here from the Windward Side who are here on a capital field trip. They are touring the building, sitting in hearings, and learning about the legislature. If you could, rise when I call your names. We have Yoshiko Nakaoka, John Sandor, Sherry Hanoa, Angelica Queerbin, Ajia Queerbin sorry, sorry about the name.

Queerbin, Whelan Kaneakua, Cassius Coloma, Jatin Gallario, Regina Griffin, Casey Kalauokalani, Charles Charles Harris, Nalay Harris, and Rowena Carbonsher. Welcome to the House of Representatives.

Members, any further introductions? Representative Souza.

Thank you, madam speaker. In the gallery today, I wanted to single out a very special, administrator from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, doctor Ka'ivi Punikaui Kawe Q. Punihei Light, if you could please stand. Punihei has been a long time family friend of of my Ohana, and she is also one of the finalists for the Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Po'okula Search. So congratulations, doctor Punihei, Light, and, congratulations, and welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Lee.

Thank you, madam speaker. I know they're already introduced, but I do wanna introduce one good friend that I've known for almost twenty years. He is, he was involved with PACEs in the Nammu studies program at Windward Community College. He is a steward of the land. He has worked at Waikolua Lokoia for the Pacific American Foundation as their Kea'iloko, a good friend who's inspired many generations of environmental stewards.

Jaden Galeria one more time. Welcome to your house of representatives.

Members, any further introductions? Okay. We'll turn to the order of the day. Mister Clerk, is there a floor presentation?

Yes, Madam Speaker. We have one floor presentation today. House Resolution number 207. Honoring Dr. David Lassner for a lifetime of dedicated service to the University of Hawaii system and the state, and recognizing his enduring legacy of leadership and contributions

to support higher education, community engagement, and the public good. This resolution is offered by representatives Garrett and Takayama.

Representative Garrett.

Madam Speaker, I move to adopt the resolution.

Representative Takayama.

Madam speaker, I second the motion.

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

Thank you, madam speaker. Today, we recognize a career that is deeply woven into the history and mission of the University of Hawaii. A career defined not by a single title, but by nearly five decades of service to public higher education in our state.

David Lassner was born in Stamford, Connecticut, and raised primarily in the Midwest. He first came to Hawaii as a graduate student, expecting, as many do, that his time here would be temporary.

Instead, Hawaii became home. What began as an academic pursuit became a lifelong commitment to this place, its people, and its public university.

Beginning his career at the University of Hawaii in the late 1970s, David Lasser went on to serve the institution in nearly every capacity, as a staff member, an academic leader, an administrator, and eventually as his fifteenth president.

He is uniquely distinguished as the only president in the history of the University of Hawaii to be a graduate of the institution, having earned his doctorate at Manoa. You individuals have experienced the university so fully, or understood it so deeply across campuses,

across generations of students, and across moments of growth and real challenge. This recognition honors the breadth, depth, and continuity of that service.

Madam Speaker, to help reflect on this legacy, I'd like to yield to our colleague, representative Greg Takayama, a former employee and former Chair of the House Higher Education Committee, to share his perspective.

Representative Takayama.

Thank you, speaker. In support.

Please proceed.

As someone who attended the University of Hawaii, worked there, and later served as chair of the House Higher Education Committee, I appreciate how difficult it is to lead our university or any university for that matter.

What stands out to me about David Lasner is his consistency and his respect for people. To me, that's the key to his success and survival as president for more than eleven years.

His ability to work with his many, many bosses, regents, governors, donors, faculty, unions, students, and, of course, legislators accounts for his ability to serve longer than any other UH president in modern history.

He guided our university through moments of extreme challenge with patience, thoughtfulness, and a strong sense of kuleana.

While we as lawmakers invest our state resources in the University of Hawaii, David Lasner invested much, much more. For those of us who know the university from the inside, his nearly fifty years of service to this state sets a rare and truly meaningful standard. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Representative Garrett.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Across decades, David Lassner showed up during moments of stability and moments of uncertainty, always guided by a belief that the University of Hawaii exists to serve students, communities, and future generations.

His leadership was steady, principled, and grounded in a deep understanding of the institution he first entered as a student, and ultimately helped guide as his president.

Nearly fifty years of service is rare in any profession, but to spend that time within a single public institution, growing alongside it, helping shape its direction, and remaining committed through both opportunity and challenge, reflects a profound sense of purpose and kuleana.

At this time, president David Lassner, please rise to be recognized by the house of representatives.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House of Representatives, it is our honor to recognize president David Lassner for his remarkable career, his enduring contributions to the University of Hawaii, and his lifelong commitment to public higher education in this state. Mahalo.

Is there any further discussion? All those in favor of the resolution, say Aye. The motion is carried. Representative Garrett, 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 honoree. Recess.

Will the house come to order? Representative Kila.

Madam Speaker, may be permitted by the introduction.

Yes.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of your WLA class of 2024, it is my sincere honor to welcome to the gallery today. Visiting from the great state of Utah, we have Senator Heidi accompanied by her husband John and our classmate Senator Richards. Please rise to be recognized and welcome to your Hawaii House of Representatives.

Okay Members were on item number six reports of standing committees representative Kahalua.

Madam Speaker I moved to adopt standing committee reports numbers 1398 -26 through 1432-26 as listed on pages two through 11 and that the accompanying Senate bills as amended pass second reading and be referred to their designated committees.

Representative Morikawa.

And the speaker, I second the motion.

Any discussion on these items beginning with standing committee report number 1398, 1399, 1400. Representative Pierick.

Thank you. No vote.

So ordered. Report 1401. Representative Garcia.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

No vote.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Cochran.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

Same request.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Moraoka.

In opposition.

Please proceed.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I understand the intent behind this bill. However, having expertise in this field, in the refuse field, my opposition comes from the fact that if we operate within these time zones on these privately owned vehicles, it could be so much worse.

Right now, it's just a noise nuisance. What happens during the day when people are going to school, dropping their kids off at school, and you got some big rubbish truck reversing out in the street? It goes from noise nuisance to now a traffic, potentially a fatality when some child runs behind this vehicle.

The reason we pick up refuse or the these companies pick up refuse in the wee hours is minimize traffic, minimal, foot traffic as well as vehicle traffic, and they get to get in and get out right away. So for those reason, I'm in that position.

Top of page three, standing committee report 1402, 1403, 1404, 1405. Representative Cochran.

Speaker 1404 please.

On 1404 Representative Cochran.

Yes. That's with reservations.

So ordered. 1405, 1405. Representative Cochran.

Same request, oh, with reservations.

So ordered. Report number 1406. Representative Garcia.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Cochran.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Reservations with a brief comment.

Please proceed.

I support this bill. And the reservation is based on the judiciary's, testimony and concern that, they don't have any control over budget funding and escalation, provisions. But obviously, this is a great bill, so just flagging that concern. Thank you.

Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Report number 1407, 1408, 1409. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Cochran.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Standing committee report 1410. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Cochran.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Reservations, please.

So ordered. Standing committee report number 411. Representative Shimizu.

My apologies Madam Speaker, when when time permits can you go back to 1409?

Okay. Let's finish 1411. Okay. If there's no further discussion of 1411 we'll go back to 1409. Representative Shimizu.

1409 with reservations and a just a brief comment.

Please proceed.

My reservation is just my uncertainty on the effects that this bill will have on on crime. And as we all know, crime is a big concern, but that's my reservation. And when time permits, I missed 1411. Excuse me.

K. We'll go back to 1411. Representative Shimizu.

1411. I am supporting with reservations. I feel that this excuse me. With comments, please?

Please proceed.

I believe that this is an important bill. The reason for my reservation is the testimony that was in opposition was and I never saw anything like this in my short career here. There was, opposition from 16 different departments and entities.

So, I haven't had the, opportunity to see what is the logistics of them implementing this this bill, but, that's my reservations. Thank you madam speaker.

Representative Cochran.

In, very strong support with brief comment, please.

Please proceed.

During the discussion at committee, I was just surprised that the departments don't already do this, and they don't already have this at their fingertips and on record.

So that was my strong support, and unfortunately, yes, under the state jurisdiction was against it, so that, gives me room for pause and some red flags just in that, that, so that's I'm very strongly supporting this.

Standing committee report number 412, 413, 1413. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Cochran.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

Same request.

So ordered. Top of page six, standing committee report number 1414, 1415. Representative Garcia.

Same request.

No vote.

So ordered represent Shimizu.

So ordered. Representative Cochran.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Kitagawa.

No vote, please.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

Reservations.

So ordered. K. Standing Committee Report 1460. Representative Garcia.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Takayama.

Madam Speaker, may I request a ruling on a potential conflict?

Please proceed.

My, one of my daughters works as an associate, public defender, although she is not the person of, affected by the, position mentioned in this measure.

The Chair's ruling that there is no conflict of interest as you are a member of a broad class, as your daughter's a member of a broad class. This ruling shall apply for this measure until signee die unless circumstances change.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Representative Alcos.

Reservations.

So ordered. So representative Pierrick.

So ordered. Standing committee report 1417. Representative Pierrick.

No vote.

No vote.

So ordered. Standing committee report 1418. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Pierrick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Sousa.

Reservations

So ordered. Standing committee report 1419. Representative Cochran.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Poepoe.

With reservations.

So ordered. Standing committee report 1420. Representative Pierrick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Cochran.

With reservations.

So ordered. Standing committee report 1421. Representative Cochran.

With reservations.

So ordered. 1422. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Garcia.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Reservations with a a brief comment.

Please proceed.

I was told that they're asking for 10,000,000 to do this and I guess in our our budget concerns, I'm just feeling that we we could use that elsewhere.

Thank you. Representative Gedeon.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Cochran.

Sorry. Madam Speaker 1422?

1422.

Okay. I support pets and I'm a tenant that allow pets, but yes the dollar amount was quite staggering. So with reservations.

So ordered. Standing committee report 1423. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Cochran.

With reservations.

So ordered. Report 1424, 1425, 1426, 1427. Representative Cochran.

So ordered. Report 1428,1429. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

No vote with, brief comment.

Please proceed.

No vote based on show post, opposing testimony. Thank you.

Representative Alcos.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

No vote.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Cochran.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

No vote, please.

So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Kila.

Reservations, Madam Speaker.

So ordered. Representative Souza.

In support. And I just wanted to a brief comment.

Please proceed.

I just wanted to say that Shobo's, testimony, they offered comments. I don't see testimony in opposition. Thank you.

Standing committee report 1430, 1431 standing committee report 1432. Representative Amato.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

No vote.

Reservations.

So ordered. K. Members will be taking a voice vote. All those in favor say Aye. All those opposed, say no.

The motion is carried. Item number seven, announcements. Members, are there any announcements? Representative Garcia.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. 49 years ago today, born at Kapiolani Hospital, lived to be the Oh, and birthed by the husband of former congresswoman, Republican congresswoman, Pat Psyche, was born representative Julie Reyes Oda of House District 40. Colleagues, please join me in wishing her a happy birthday.

Representative Kila.

I would be remiss to not say happy birthday, Chris. For representative for wine, I wish you a happy birthday.

I don't have something that eloquent, but in the spirit of poems, Madam Speaker, Without a fade and without a comb, he bears a shine and it's his pure island chrome. Old enough to be my dad, that's true, but lucky me, I get to call him a friend too.

Representative Reyes Oda.

I'm rarely ever the first one in the room, but I wanna emphasize that I arrived first by almost four hours. Representative Muraoka and I were born on the same day in the same place, Kapiolani Hospital, and somehow ended up sitting next to each other on this house floor.

Representative Muraoka.

Now now I guess I gotta say something. But, you know, our Rep Chan was cracking jokes earlier, and he made me think. Same hospital, same time, at a with a Japanese last name sitting next to the real Japanese. What if we were switched? But happy birthday, Rep Reyes Oda.

Representative Garrett.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Different tone here, but, I like the your committee on higher education, requests a waiver of the 48 hour advance notice, requirement for the purpose of conducting a public hearing, with decision making to follow on Senate Bill 2602 Senate Draft 1, relating to the general fund.

So ordered.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The public hearing will be held today, March 5, March 25 at 02:15pm in Conference Room 309. Thank you.

Members, any further announcements? Representative? K. Seeing none, for the motion I'm sorry chair has one more announcement the Chair would like to remind members that tomorrow is the prince coheo holiday and that friday is a recess day friday is also the second lateral bill filing

deadline for Senate bills that must move to their final committee Committee Chairs, please file your committee reports and drafts with the chief clerk's office by 9PM this Friday. K.

Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I move that this house stand adjourned until 12:00 noon, Monday.

Representative Garcia.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

All those in favor, say Aye. All those opposed to say no. The motion is carried. The house stands adjourned until 12:00 noon, Monday.