House Floor

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

[Roll Call] Madam Speaker, 50 Members are present. One is 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?

Yes, Madam Speaker. If you and the Members will turn your attention to the addendum to today's order of the day, we are in receipt of a communication informing the house that the Senate has disagreed to the amendments proposed by the house to the noted Senate bills.

Members, any introductions? Representative Lowen.

Thank you Madam Speaker. In the gallery today, we have some, freshman class students from Kealakehe High School accompanied by their instructors, Justin Brown and Randy Weir. And there's a lot of them, so I'm not gonna read all the names, but I wanna say if you can all rise, we can recognize you. And welcome to your class of, House of Representatives. And permission to have their names entered in the journal.

So ordered. Representative Kahaloa.

Mahalo, Madam Speaker. Kona is in the House today, and we're very excited not to talk about Kona in reference to a low and a storm, but to the wonderful students who make up and brighten our beautiful community.

I have one introduction and then a short one to follow with permission Speaker. From Kahakai Elementary School, when we introduce you, please stand and be recognized, and we will clap at the end of all of the announcements.

With our student council, we have president Ariana Feruto, vice president Liliella Grace, secretary Hina Nalei Lee, treasurer Lila Demello, historian Kaylee Gabrielle, sergeant of arms Cecile Pongren, and of course, escorting our wonderful student council as vice principal Joy Personius, our PCNC at Kahakai, Ricky Grace, and our other PCNC, Milani Megbanua.

Thank you guys for being here, and welcome to your house of representatives. And since there is lots of Kona representation, my better half is here today, Elihia Johnson, who represents WM Keck Observatory. So he's here visiting for the day.

Representative Matayoshi.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today in the gallery, we have doctor Judy Steinman from the Hawaii Psychological Association. You could stand and be recognized. Welcome to the House of Representatives.

Representative Kapela.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will save I'm not gonna do a later introduction on Art at the Capitol because today is Art at the Capitol. So excited. Can't wait to have all of your offices stay open and join us and for all of the wonderful, activities and immersive experiences and food that we will be having starting at 04:00 today.

Thank you to the legislators who are participating in that event. In the gallery though, I would like to introduce my office staff who have made art at the Capitol possible.

Ruby Jordan, my office manager, Haley Paula Santos, my committee clerk and, like, lead planner for Art at the Capitol, Ann Yousef Hirt, who joined us at the last minute but helped to make it happen. And then I an addition to our Art at the Capitol team today,

I have a wonderful family friend who's also joining us, the mother of my office manager, Priscilla Boskey. Welcome to your House of Representatives. Thank you for being here.

And to my team, thank you for planning art at the Capitol.

Representative Gedeon.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In keeping with the theme of art at the Capitol, I'd like to intro I have three guests. First two, Jeff Gress and Noah Hardesty. You will both please stand. They represent two generations of artists who have helped shape and elevate the visual identity of Honolulu through public art.

Jeff Gress is widely recognized as a master of hand painted signage and mural work whose craftsmanship and attention to detail have brought character and vibrancy to businesses and public spaces across Oahu.

Many have seen his iconic welcome to Waikiki mural, his entry into Waikiki on the side of the former Honolulu Coffee Company, which stands as a welcoming and recognizable piece for both residents and visitors.

His work, particularly in areas like Kaka'ako, has played a meaningful role in transforming urban environments into places that feel alive, welcoming, and uniquely rooted in Hawaii's culture. Noah Hardesty represents the next generation of local artists carrying that momentum forward.

Through his murals along Kaliano'oli Highway and throughout East Oahu or East Honolulu, he's helped beautify the community with artwork that reflects the ocean life so central to Hawaii Kai.

His pieces capture the movement and spirit of the sea while also reflecting his own deep roots in the area with family ties that go back many years. His work brings energy, pride, and a strong sense of place to the neighborhoods we represent.

Together, their contributions highlight the importance of public art in shaping not just how our community looks, but how they feel. Their work strengthens community identity, supports local culture, and reminds us of the value of creativity in public spaces.

It's an honor to recognize both Jeff Gress and Noah Hardesty for their artistic contribution.

I have one other guest who has quickly become my eyes and ears in the community. Tyler Watanabe, if you would stand up, please. Tyler Watanabe is widely known as the voice behind the Sandy Beach Surf Report, but his impact to our community extends far beyond reporting wave conditions.

Through his platform, Tyler has become a trusted hub of information for Hawaii Kai and surrounding communities, sharing timely updates on everything from ocean safety to traffic, weather, and other issues affecting residents' daily lives.

His consistency, awareness, and willingness to communicate have made him a reliable and valued resource to so many in East Honolulu, including myself.

He's also served as an extra set of eyes and ears in our district, helping surface conditions and keep the community informed in real time. His work reflects a genuine commitment to looking out for others and strengthening the connection between residents.

It's an honor to represent recognize Tyler Watanabe for his service. Welcome to the House of Representatives. Madam Speaker, may I also include additional names into the journal?

So ordered. Representative Olds.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In the gallery today is my wonderful office manager, Jeanette Lum. It is Jeanette's birthday today. Wanna wish her a happy birthday and welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Kusch.

Thank you, Speaker. I'd like to recognize, my committee clerk who came out of retirement and saved me on a switch up early in the session. Tashira Smallwood, welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative La Chica.

Thank you, madam speaker. It is my honor to welcome a visitor all the way from North Carolina, miss Courtney Verska. Please rise. She's with SAS, a data analytics, and technology company. I got to meet her when I was, attending the policy summit on education and artificial intelligence, earlier.

And, we had a lovely discussion on all things, data and measurable outcomes for, our public education system, not just ways that we can measure proficiency, but also effectiveness. And so welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Garrett.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In the gallery, we have a constituent from, Manoa Valley also who also serves as the Chair of the Manoa Neighborhood Board, Dave Nogaji. Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Members if there are no further introductions we'll turn to the order of the day item number five reports of standing committees represent Kahalua.

Madam Speaker I moved to adopt Standing Committee Reports numbers 2169-26 through 2189-26 as listed on pages one through four and that the company Senate Concurrent Resolutions be referred to their designated committees. Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

Members, any discussion on these items beginning with Standing Committee Report number 2169, 2170, 2171, 2172, 2173, 2174. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. 2175. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. Report number 2176, 2177. Representative Garcia.

In support with reservations.

So ordered.

Brief comment.

Please proceed.

Thank you madam speaker. I think titles of our resolutions should be accurate. And so this title is requesting the governor and the Department of Health to engage with the US Department of Defense. That should read Department of War. So for those reasons, with reservations.

Standing Committee Report 2178. K. Members will be taking a voice vote. All those in favor, say Aye. All those opposed say no.

The motion is carried. Representative Kahaloa.

Madam speaker, I move to adopt Standing Committee Reports numbers 2179 -26 and 2180-26 as listed on page five and that the accompanied Senate Concurrent Resolutions be adopted.

Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

Any discussion on these items beginning with Standing Committee Report number 2179, 2180. Members will be taking a voice vote. All those in favor, say Aye. All those opposed, say no. The motion is carried.

Item number six, announcements. Members, are there any announcements? Representative Kapela.

Saw the eyebrows and I said, okay, we stand up. Today is Art at the Capitol. Please join us this afternoon. It's gonna be from 04:00 all the way till 08:30.

There is a built in program. We're gonna be having films right here in this chamber featuring Ohina Labs, which has screened films that have only been shown at HIF. So really exciting to have such a unique space. There's everything from flash tattoos to food and Konami tournaments, and then, of course, the wonderful art that's showcased in your offices.

So we're looking forward to having, performances here by, Representative Hussey as well as, excuse me, the representative from Kalihi, correction for the journal, and, the Hawaii Symphony as well as Ballet Hawaii.

And I just wanna say thank you so much for keeping your offices open, believing in art, and being able to celebrate one of the things that makes Hawaii so unique, which is the creativity that connects us. So thank you for being a part of Culture in Motion.

Representative Matayoshi.

Thank you, Speaker. I just want to remind everyone that the blood drive is still happening. We do want your blood. It's the last day before Cine DA. Please sign up with the QR codes in the elevator or and my staff also came out came around with little applets that you can also use to sign up.

And if you need to keep your blood sugar up for that blood drive, my office is having a dirty soda bar fundraiser for the food bank that's going on through the rest of the month.

K. Members, if there are no further announcements, the chair would like to remind committee chairs that today is the lateral filing deadline for Senate Concurrent Resolutions that need to move to their final committees. Please file your committee reports and drafts with the chief clerk's office by 6PM this evening. Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I move that this House stand adjourn until 12:00 noon, Monday.

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, Monday.