Senate Floor

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

[Roll Call] All 25 Members are present.

Thank you. The Chair has read the journal of the preceding day and approves the same. Are there any introductions this morning? Senator, you have another presentation? Senator Kim.

Thank you, Mr. President. I am honored to recognize a distinguished leader in the public, public education who joins us here in the gallery, Becky Pringle, the President of the National Education Association. Becky, if you'd stand to be recognized.

Mr. President and colleagues, under her leadership, the NEA has advanced critical efforts to address teacher shortages, expand mental health support for students, and promote safe and inclusive learning environments. She's also been a leading voice on issues such as fair educator pay, strengthening the educator workforce, and protecting public education in the face of ongoing challenges nationwide.

So on behalf of this body, I honor and welcome President Pringle, and we extend our sincere appreciation for her tireless leadership and advocacy. So, again, join me in recognizing and welcoming Becky Pringle to Hawaii State Senate.

And if I may, Mr. President, I also wanna introduce some of the people that are here to support her as well. We have the Hawaii NEA Director Aaron Kubo. And hold your applause. We have the HSTA President Osa Tui. We have the HSTA Maui Chapter President Ashley Olson. We have HSTA teacher lobbyist, Mili Milianta-Laffin.

We have HSTA Government Relations Specialist Jason Bradshaw. And our dear friend, many of you will welcome him, Keoki Kerr, formerly a newscaster, a news reporter, a long time with the city council. And I have staff, my staff, Ann Mahi here. And I don't know if Kathy Nii is also here, but thank you all. Thank you, Mr. President.

Further introduction? Senator DeCoite.

Thank you, Mr. President. Today, the Senate is pleased to join the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii in hosting Built Here Innovation Showcase at the Capitol. Established in 1983, HTDC has served as the state's lead agency for technology, innovation, and manufacturing, attracting federal investment, cultivating high growth industries, and helping small businesses expand into global markets.

Today, that legacy continues as HTDC spearheads development in Hawaii's top sectors for investment. The blue economy, space, health, energy, and manufacturing. From 1pm to 3pm on the 4th floor, exhibitors will showcase companies supported through HTDC's Small Business Innovation Research, Manufacturing Assistance, and Accelerator Programs.

Joining us in the gallery today from HTDC, please stand when your name is called and kindly hold your applause until all have been recognized. Trung Lam, Executive Director and CEO. Sandi Kanemori, Senior Economic Program Manager. Cindy Matsuki, Economic Development Specialist.

Wayne Layugan, Program Manager. Umma Berkelman, Economic Development Specialist. Thank you for standing, please. And a round of applause to all of them. You may be seated. We also have in the gallery representatives from today's innovation showcase.

And please stand when your program is called and kindly hold your applause until all have been recognized. Small Business Innovation Research Program, Manufacturing Assistance Program, Accelerator Program, and Hawaii's Tech and Innovation Ecosystem. If you'd please stand.

Thank you for being here. A round of applause, please. Thank you. You may be seated. And lastly, mahalo to the Chamber team for their partnership in planning and executing today's event. Please stand when your name is called and kindly hold your applause and to all have been recognized as well. Sherry Menor, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce.

Tonga Hopoi, Vice President of Policy and Public Affairs. Nadia Holt, Associate Director of Community Impact. Zoe Shimizu, Manager of Program and Events. And Julian Kiyabu, Manager of Policy and Government Relations. Thank you. And welcome to the State Senate. You may be seated. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Further introductions? If not, Senator Kim.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, with Majority Leader from the Big Island, we proudly congratulate the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama wrestling program for an outstanding performance in the 2026 HSAA Texaco State Championships.

These student athletes have displayed an unwavering commitment to their sport and in reaching the pinnacle of high school wrestling have set a shining example for future generations of Warriors. Please rise when I call your name. Beginning with the girls varsity wrestling team, we recognize their individual state champions sophomore Auriana Wakinekona.

She captured her second consecutive state title with an impressive 33-1 record. Congratulations. Then we have sophomore Hiilei Tuikolongahau. Okay, you guys, these names are hard. Okay, Tuikolongahau, who competed in a perfect 207-0 undefeated season. Congratulations.

And junior Leeann Suzuki, who finished with a strong 25-4 record demonstrating resilience and determination. Congratulations, Leeann. And now, continuing their winning record, the boys varsity wrestling team secured their third consecutive championship, an extraordinary achievement reflecting their unity and excellence.

And among them individual champion sophomore Braven Moore and junior... And junior Paliku Chang. They showcase exceptional skill and leadership on the mat. Congratulations. And In the gallery joining them are other members of the boys wrestling team, along with their coaches, team manager, and proud family members.

Will you all please rise to be recognized? We extend a special recognition to head coach Dave Chew, whose leadership have guided this program to continued success. As a proud member of ILWU Local 142, he also serves our community through leadership cleanup efforts on the North Shore and Waialua.

So we want to thank you all and congratulate you all for the great work. And I have to add, my son is also a graduate of Kamehameha, so Imua Kamehameha. And Mr. President, at the appropriate time, we will present leis and certificates to our honored guests. Thank you.

So order. Further introductions? If not, to our honored guests, we have about five minutes. If you sit patiently, when we adjourn, the Members will come and greet you, including the leis Senator Kim referred to, will be presented to you. We'll take some pictures.

And can the sergeants please escort friends and family who are in the gallery? And after the pictures are done with the Members then we will certainly allow you to enjoy any other photos with your friends, family, teammates, and coaches. Madam Clerk.

Governor's message number 800, withdraws a nomination to the Hawaii Sister State and International Partnerships Commission.

File.

On page two, House communication number 449, returns Senate Bill 3225 that passed third reading in the House unamended.

File.

House communication numbers 450 to 452, transmit various House Concurrent Resolutions which were adopted in the House for referral to committee.

So ordered.

On page four, third reading.

If there are no objections from the Members, we will be taking third reading on consent.

Third reading of House Bill 1878, Senate Draft 1, relating to discrimination.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

25 ayes.

Thank you. House Bill 1878, SD 1 passes third reading.

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.

No further business, Mr. President.

Are there any announcements today? Senator DeCorte, then Senator Inouye.

Thank you. Personal privilege, please.

Please proceed.

Thank you, colleagues. Today was a historic day for our state. We marked a turning point in health education and workforce development with the opening of Hawaii's first health, health learning lab, 'Aulama I Ke Ola at Waianae High School.

This milestone transforms our building into a hands on real world training hub and establishes a reproductive model to strengthen health care across Hawaii. Care in action, skill, and integrity drive this effort, building health literacy and practical pathways for our community.

Waianae High School hosts and anchors this statewide vision, demonstrating what we can achieve when educators, healthcare leaders, lawmakers, and partners unite. Mahalo to the stakeholders that made this possible. Thank you to this body.

And most importantly, thank you to the students that have entered into the program and that will be taking care of Senator Ihara and myself very soon. But thank you very much. Mahalo.

Thank you. Senator Inouye.

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

Please proceed.

Today is April 1, 2026. While many recognize this date for lighthearted traditions, for the people of Hawaii, it marks a solemn and significant milestone. The 80th anniversary of the 1946 Aleutian Islands tsunami that hit Hilo, Hawaii and surrounding areas around our island and the state.

80 years ago, a massive 8.6 magnitude earthquake near Alaska sent a series of powerful waves racing across the Pacific. With no warning system in place, the ocean arrived on our shores with devastating force. Hilo was hit the hardest.

Entire neighborhoods like Shinmachi were swept away and 159 lives were lost across the islands. It remains one of the most transformative and tragic chapters in our history. However, the legacy of 1946 is not just one of loss. It is one of innovation and survival. The heartbreak of that day led directly to the founding of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, a system that now protects millions of lives across the globe.

We also see that legacy in the very landscape of Hilo, where coastal areas were mindfully rebuilt as green spaces to shield our community from future harm. As we look out at the ocean today, we honor the memories of those who were lost.

We acknowledge the survivors whose stories taught us to respect the power of the sea. Most importantly, we reaffirm our commitment to the readiness, education, and the enduring spirit of resilience that defines Hawaii. Personally, I was displaced by the tsunami from my home in Hilo on May 23, 1960. May we never forget the lessons of 1946, and may we continue to protect one another for generations to come. Mahalo, Mr. President and colleagues.

Thank you. Any further announcements? If not, if there are no objections, we may have a late procedural request. So I'm gonna ask for a short recess.

Come back to order. Madam Clerk, if there are no more announcements, I do have one. There will be a or majority Senators report to the Majority Caucus Room. Senator Wakai has moved that the Senate stand adjourned until 11:30am. I hear Senator DeCorte second the motion. It's been moved and seconded. If there are no objections from the Members, the Senate will stand adjourned until 11:30am tomorrow.