House Floor

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

[Roll call]

Madam Speaker, 48 members are present. Two are not 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. Mister Clerk, are there any messages from the governor?

Madam Speaker, there are none.

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

Madam Speaker, there are none.

Members, any introductions? Representative Moraoka.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In the chamber today, we have a supporting cast for one of our boys and girls club's finalists. As I call your name, can you please stand? Orianna Kaaloa who was also a candidate. Raymond Berdon, director of Wai'anae boys and girls club.

Libby, Taylor, and Jeff. Sorry. They didn't give me last names. And also, special guests, Thea Mahilona's mother and brother, Amanda and Tili'i Mahilona. Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Matsumoto.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I see up in the gallery two of my next door neighbors that I grew up with since childhood. Lily Williams, if you can please rise. And Kyle Williamson, so good to see you here. Welcome to the House of Representatives.

Representative Illegon.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. At the gallery, I see a friend and a former colleague. Could you please rise, mister Rob Washington? Welcome to your house of representatives.

Representative Kila.

Madam Speaker. Joining today for the celebrations on the floor of our boys and girls club folks, I have nominees from the Nanakuli boys and girls club here today. In the gallery behind me, I'm welcomed and honored to bring to the gallery, Promise Falatago and Uriah Aranes. Please stand. And welcome to your house of representatives.

Madam Speaker.

Representative Miyake.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, in the gallery today, it is my privilege to introduce individuals from the boys and girls clubs of Maui. The 2026 youth of the year candidate from the Kahekili clubhouse in my district, Catra Rantak, please stand. Destiny Donald, special events marketing coordinator, and all others from the boys and girls club of Maui, welcome to your house of rep representatives.

Representative Olds.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also have an introduction, from the boys and girls club, Spalding Honolulu Clubhouse, the place where all the good, smart, cool people like to hang out. My my candidate is Amia Sprut. If you can stand, please. Awesome.

Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Woodson.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Also joining us from Kahului is Naleya Oliveria. Please stand. Welcome to your house of representatives.

Representative Cochran.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Also from Maui, we have from the Lahaina Clubhouse of Maui, Kaimina Ilaoa. Is she here? Aloha. Thank you.

Welcome to your house of representatives. Representative Lee.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In the gallery today, not from boys and girls club, but from my district, are students from Lazydown Academy. A group of 26 students this year's grade three through five have shown incredible dedication to session advocating for h b one eight nine one, h d one, s d one, which aims to improve early literacy screening and support for students who may struggle with reading.

They've spent all spring sharing their personal story, showing up in spring break, brought all of their parents to the capital, so we just wanna recognize them. Please stand when I call your name.

Mira Marsden, Coco Bey, Joni Nagle, Easton Culver, Nathan Richter, Tegan Murray, Chloe Lau, and their chaperones, Serena Marsden, Megan Garcia, Lauren Farasati, representing a much larger group from our district. Welcome to your house of representatives.

Representative Evelyn.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have two introductions today. First off, we have the incredible folks from the Kauai Boys and Girls Club. The director of development, Tina Abow, if you could stand when I say your name, Bryden Kaawai. And then we have youth of the year candidates from Kauai, Cohen Langley, Anthony Long Silva, and Janeri Remigio.

Please rise. And we also have some incredible water safety advocates here visiting us today. We have Kalani Viera, Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau chief and president of the Hawaiian Life Heart Association. We have Allison Schaeffers from the Hawaii Water Safety Coalition Water Safety Plan lead writer. We have Aubrey Jones oh, sorry.

Aubrey Jones Owens, a lifeguard, and Kirsten Hermstead, who's the executive director of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association. Welcome to your House of

Representatives. Representative Matsumoto.

Thank you Madam Speaker. I also see in the gallery one of my cohort classmates from the Pacific Century fellows, Lalo Fernandez, the executive vice president of Boys and Girls Club. Welcome to the House of Representatives.

Representative Keila.

Madam Speaker may be permitted another introduction. In the gallery today, he is probably joining them, but on another accord. Jeffrey Jones is our assistant for the Nanakuli Maile neighborhood board. Jeffrey, thank you for your service to our board and welcome to your house of representatives.

Representative Reyes Oda.

I think I see a friend in the gallery. This is the executive director for the Boys and Girls Club in Ewa Beach. Oscar Harris, if you can rise. Thank you, and welcome to the House of Representatives.

Members, if there are no further introductions, we'll turn to the order of the day. Item number five, floor presentations. Mister Clerk, are there any floor presentations?

Yes, Madam Speaker. We have one floor presentation today. House Resolution number 208. Commending and congratulating the candidates and distinguished finalists for the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii 2026 Youth of the Year Awards. This resolution is offered by representatives Yamashita and Poepoe.

Representative Yamashita.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I move for the adoption of said resolution.

Representative Poepoe. Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. Any discussion, representative Yamashita.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, in support.

Please proceed.

Okay. It's my pleasure to present to you the twenty twenty six youth of the year nominees for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hawaii. When school lets out, the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii offers Keiki a fun educational place a fun and education safe and fun educational place to go. After school programs like the boys and girls club help provide structure and meaningful activities to enrich their lives.

Students are provided with an edu with educational support programs in art and gardening, physical activities, educational programs, and nutrition assistance.

Additionally, the Boys and Girls Club strive for to help Keiki become the best version of themselves, instilling leadership qualities and teaching them how to live their lives with, more, moral lives. This is why the youth of the year award is such a high honor. In a in a program with so many outstanding participants, it seems difficult to choose the best. The finalists who stand before us, or sit before us, I shouldn't ad lib. Okay.

Have demonstrated strong integrity and exceptional moral character, and have been leaders among their peers. They, they are willing to volunteer not only to aid their club, but their peers and their community and Aina. This award is the highest honor for the boys and girls clubs that a member can receive. One of the students before us today will be named the State of Hawaii Youth of the Year and will go on to represent us in the Pacific Region and the national youth competition.

We celebrate the finalist achievements on the floor today.

Will you all please rise? Please help me in congratulating the 2026 finalists for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hawaii Youth of the Year. Okay. You can be seated. Okay.

Madam Speaker, this time, I would like to yield to my colleagues to introduce each and each of them and talk a little bit about them starting with the representative from District 13.

Representative Poi Poi.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In support, please proceed. It is my honor today to recognize an outstanding young leader from Maui Island Leah Williamson a freshman at Kamehameha Schools Maui she exemplifies excellence in both in and out of the classroom by maintaining a 3.8 GPA and competing in on her school's soccer team. Beyond academics and athletics, Leah is actively involved in her school's community through her participation in a variety of school clubs.

She also pursues creative passions in writing ceramics and guitar reflecting a well rounded and dedicated individual.

As a member of the Makawao Clubhouse of the boys and girls club of Maui, Leah demonstrates a deep commitment to service. She volunteers her time, uplifts her peers as a leader and shows genuine care for her community in upcountry Maui. In recognition of her character her leadership and service Leah has been nominated by the Boys and Girls Club of Maui Makawao Clubhouse as their youth of the year candidate. Today, we are very proud to welcome Leah to the house floor to celebrate this remarkable achievement.

Please join me in celebrating with a warm round of applause.

Thank you, speaker. Representative Templo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In support.

Please proceed.

Thank you. It is an honor to recognize one of the boys and girls clubs honoree, Miss Amari Spinks. Amari embodies the true spirit of Aloha through her dedication to serving her community. Through her Keystone Club, she has led and supported impactful service efforts from organizing a fall vesting outreach event, raising funds through a lemonade stand, creating Christmas cards for single Navy sailors, and mentoring young sail young students.

Amari also serves as secretary of her Keystone Club and plays a leadership role in her teen center program, where where she keeps her peers organized and engaged.

Currently, Amari is on a mission to advance the well-being of our youth. So as her personal project, she has established a teen mental health platform called, Ki Mari Chat, where she has created a space for connection, support, and access to resources. Beyond her service, she's a talented musician playing both the saxophone and the piano, while maintaining a 3.5 GPA at Radford High School. Miss Amari Spinks, we are proud of you and thank you for all that you do. Congratulations.

Representative Moraoka.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, in strong support.

Please proceed.

Madam Speaker, today it's my honor to introduce and recognize an amazing young man from Waianae, Matthew Masaya Cargill, for being named Hawaii Alliance State Youth of the Year finalist for 2026. Matthew has been doing amazing and outstanding work for many years. He has been attending and participating in the Boys and Girls Club of Waianae for eleven years. He also stays focused in high school at Nanakuli High, showing strong commitment and leadership and always giving back to the community from beach cleanups to helping families in need.

He is truly an exceptional young man.

This is the second time Matthew has been nominated for this achievement, which says so much about his dedication and character. Matthew embodies a spirit of 96792 dedicated, grounded, and guided by humility and aloha. We are proud of you, Matthew. Congratulations.

Representative La Chica. Thank you, Madam Speaker. In support, please proceed. On behalf of myself and the representative from Wahiwa, it is an honor my honor to present the certificate to Dylan Tibbles, who is a distinguished Boys and Girls Clubs of America member for three years and was selected as a finalist for the prestigious 2026 Military Youth of the Year Award for the state. He's a senior at Lillehua High School and an active participant in programs such as Keystone.

He has planned multiple events for the Bennett Youth Youth Center and has also led initiatives that honor the service and sacrifice of others, including events recognizing nine eleven first responders. As a 2026 military youth of the year finalist, Dylan reflects the highest ideals of the Boys and Girls Club, serving as a positive role model and inspiring others to lead with integrity, compassion, and purpose.

Throughout his work, he has also fostered an inclusive environment, encouraging other youth to participate in activities, inspire meaningful engagement, and also, among his peers. Please colleagues join me in congratulating him on his accomplishment and being named the finalist for twenty twenty six military youth of the year award.

All those in favor of the resolution, say aye. Aye. The motion is carried. Representative Yamashita, please proceed with the certificate and lay presentation.

The chair will call the recess to allow the members of the house to meet and congratulate the honorees. Recess. Will the house come to order? We are on item number six reports of standing committees representative Kahalua.

Madam Speaker, I move to adopt standing committee reports numbers 1565 dash 26 through 1578 dash 26 as listed on pages two through 52 through five, and that the accompanying House Resolutions and house Concurrent Resolutions as may be amended be referred to their designated committees. Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

Members, we will be taking up discussion of companion measures in tandem. Beginning with standing committee reports numbers 1565 and 15661567 and 15681569 and 15701571 and 1572157315741575 and 15761577 and 1578. Members will be taking a voice vote. All those in favor, say aye. All those opposed say no the motion is carried representative Kahalua.

Madam Speaker I move to adopt standing committee reports numbers 1579 dash 26 through 1584 dash 26 as listed on page five and six and that the accompanying House Resolutions and house Concurrent Resolutions as may be amended be adopted.

Representative Morikawa.

And the speaker, I second the motion.

K. Members will also be taking up these companion measures in tandem. Standing committee report numbers 1579 and 15801581 and 1582 Fifteen 83 and 1584. Representative Matsumoto.

Sorry. Sorry. At the appropriate Time1581 and 1582.

Okay. We'll go back. Fifteen 81 and 1582. Representative Matsumoto.

Strong support and permission to answer written comments to the journal.

So ordered. Okay. Members, and we're going back to 1583 1584. Okay. We'll be taking a voice vote.

All those in favor, say aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. The motion is carried. Item number seven, third reading.

Representative Morikawa for the motion to suspend the rules.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules of the house in order to consider a certain Senate bill for third reading by consent calendar. Representative Garcia.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

Any questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say no. The motion is carried.

Representative Kahalua.

Madam Speaker, I move that Senate Bill number 3225 as listed on page seven, past third reading.

Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

Any discussion on this item? Representative Morikawa for the vote.

Madam Speaker on the measure before us all majority members vote I. Representative Garcia.

Thank you Madam Speaker on the measure before us all minority members vote I.

Have all votes been cast? Said bill said Senate bill passes third reading. Item number eight, announcements. Members, are there any announcements? Representative Iligan.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Tomorrow, April 1, from 1PM to 3PM, there's gonna be a Hawaii innovation showcase at the Capitol on the 4th Floor. Please, colleague, mark down your schedule, and please check it out. Aloha.

Representative Iwamoto.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I just wanted to share with the, with the house that today the community will be, sign waving on Beretania Street in honor of transgender day visibility. You're everyone's welcome to join us from 03:30 to, 05:00. Thank you.

Representative Kapela.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Just a reminder to members that Art at the Capitol is coming up April 17 from four to 08:30pm. Please keep your offices open. If you have not, let me know that your office will be open. Can you send me a quick email or respond to the save the date email that just went out yesterday?

Again, in the email, it says Thursday, but it's really Friday, April 17. Thank you again.

K. Members, if there are no further announcements, representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I move that this house stand 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 adjourn until 12:00 noon tomorrow.