Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Care Home Industry Uses Love Story (Again) to Loosen Hawaii Laws
The perfect poster child was paraded around the Capitol to pressure legislators to change state regulations.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Challenge Over Rep. Say’s Residency Forces House to Make ‘Judgment Call’
The speaker emeritus faced his colleagues in a quasi-judicial hearing, the first of its kind in Hawaii.
PF Bentley/Civil Beat
Statewide Preschool Bill Passes Senate Education Committee
Proposal would establish a public preschool program giving priority to low-income children. The estimated price tag is $33 million.
PF Bentley/Civil Beat
Committee OKs Free Early-College Tuition for Eligible High-Schoolers
Hawaii high school students who qualify academically could get tuition-free dual credit at community colleges if Senate Bill 374 becomes law.
NOAA
Hawaii House Bill Restricting Aquarium Trade Advances
An outright ban was scrapped but a measure tightening regulations has cleared a key committee.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
The Projector: No Shortage of Testimony for Hawaii’s State Lawmakers
The legislative session hits its stride as hearings are held on a myriad of issues, including medical marijuana dispensaries, public safety, a possible Health Connector bailout and aquarium fishing.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Honolulu Rail Tax Alive, But Ige Still Has Questions
Hawaii senators seemed satisfied with the city’s explanation of the project’s nearly $1 billion shortfall and the possible ramifications of halting construction.
Hawaii Governor Supports Buffer Zones for Pesticide Spraying
Three Senate committees approved a bill to require large agricultural companies to abide by buffer zones for spraying restricted-use pesticides around schools and other sensitive areas.
Alana Hong/Civil Beat
Is It Finally Time to Define Dancing in Hawaii?
Lawmakers are trying again this session to address “Footloose” concerns in the islands.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Is Carleton Ching the Man to Protect Hawaii’s Public Lands?
Important issues are ahead for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and some of them are likely to involve the company that currently employs the nominee to head the agency.