Happy New Year! Happy New Session!



I’m grateful as we welcome a new year for the support of our community, family, and friends. You all make our home a special and unique place, and I am thankful for each of you. We've been busy the past few month preparing for the 2025 Legislative Session, which opened on January 15.

New Responsibilities Ahead!

For the next two years I will serve as the Vice Chair for the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (JHA) alongside Chair David Tarnas. In addition to this, I’ll be serving as a member of the Water & Land Committee and the Public Safety Committee. There’s been a lot of change in leadership and committee composition this year, and I believe that change can be a good thing — as I am hopeful it will bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the legislature.

Your Input Matters

With the deadline for bill introductions coming up on Thursday, I am now preparing to dive into committee work. Public hearings will start soon and will move quickly. Your testimony, feedback, and suggestions will be crucial in shaping and advancing legislation that reflects our values and needs, while also highlighting and preventing problematic legislation. I've shared some resources below to help with navigating the legislative process.

Please reach out anytime to share your ideas, positions on legislation, concerns in the community, or have other needs that we may be able to help with. Mahalo for your continued support, and I look forward to working with all of you in the year ahead!

Me ke aloha,

Mahina

Welcoming New and Returning Staff

We are fortunate to have two excellent session staff members join us: Ashley Perreira, our Committee Clerk, and Haileigh Paola-Santos, our Legislative Aide. (Photo left to right: Haileigh, Ashley, and Charlotte Farmer (Office Manager).

Mahalo to the Friends, Families & Colleagues

Who Stopped by Opening Day!

The Hawai'i State House of Representatives officially kicked off the 2025 Legislative Session on January 15th with a memorable Opening Day ceremony. Rep. Poepoe, along with colleagues, friends, family, and supporters, gathered to mark the beginning of another session which will run through the first week of May.

This day not only marks the start of important legislative work but also underscores the collective commitment to improving the lives of Hawai'i's residents. There is much work ahead of us!

Make Your Voice Heard!

1. Hawaii State Legislature Main Website

• Website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov
• The homepage provides access to legislative information, bill tracking, hearing notices, and more.

2. Key Features and Tools

Track and Research Bills

• Bill Status/Measure Search: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/billsearch.aspx
• Use this tool to search for bills by number, keyword, or subject.

Hearing Notices

• Hearing Schedules: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hearingsearch.aspx
• Find upcoming committee hearings and agendas to plan your testimony or attendance.

Submit Testimony

• Online Testimony Submission: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/submittestimony.aspx
• Register for an account to submit written testimony or sign up to testify in person or virtually.

3. Legislator Information

• Find My Legislator: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl/
• Identify your district's state senator and representative based on your address.
• Legislator Directory: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/members/legislators.aspx
• View contact information and committee assignments for all state legislators.

4. Calendars and Deadlines

• Legislative Calendar: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/docs/sessioncalendar.pdf
• Access deadlines for bill introductions, hearings, and voting.

5. Educational Resources

• How a Bill Becomes Law in Hawaii: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/education/howabillbecomeslaw.aspx
• Learn the steps involved in the legislative process.
• Civics Education: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/education.aspx
• Explore resources for understanding the legislative process and government structure.

6. Capitol TV and Livestreams

• Hawaii Capitol TV: https://olelo.org/olelo49/
• Watch live or recorded committee hearings and legislative sessions.
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/HawaiiStateLeg
• View archived videos of hearings and floor sessions.

7. Capitol Contacts

• Contact Information for Support: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/contact.aspx
• Reach out for technical assistance or website-related questions.

Explore our Public Access Room (PAR)

PAR provides the public with information, facilities, and services to assist them as they engage and participate in the State legislative process.

Hours

Session: M-F 8am – 5pm

Interim: M-F 8am – 4:30pm

State Capitol Room 401

415 S. Beretania St

Honolulu, HI 96813

(808) 587-0478

par@capitol.hawaii.gov

https://lrb.hawaii.gov/par/

Tobacco Free Kids Mahalo Awards Ceremony

Rep. Poepoe, along with fellow lawmakers, recently attended the Tobacco-Free Kids Mahalo Awards Ceremony, honoring efforts to protect our youth and children from the harmful effects of tobacco. The event celebrated the hard work of advocates and legislators dedicated to creating a tobacco-free future for Hawaii’s next generation.

New Laws Taking Effect Jan. 1, 2025

ACT 36, SLH 2007 (HB659 HD2) – Taro as State Plant

Kalo (taro) has been officially named the state plant of Hawaii.

ACT 8, SLH 2023 (HB137 HD1) – Lobbyist Reporting

Lobbyists must now include details in their reports about which laws or actions they supported or opposed.

ACT 123, SLH 2023 (HB141 SD1) – Financial Disclosures for Legislators

State lawmakers must now list any lobbyists they have a relationship with in their financial disclosures.

ACT 12, SLH 2024 (HB1599 SD2) – Sunshine Law Updates

Public meeting notices must now explain how people can provide remote testimony, including being visible to meeting participants if requested. Boards can also remove disruptive individuals.

ACT 104, SLH 2024 (HB2553 CD1) – Pharmacists and Vaccines

Pharmacists can now give vaccines to anyone 3 years or older. Pharmacy interns and technicians can also administer vaccines under a pharmacist's supervision.

ACT 252, SLH 2024 (HB2657 SD1) – Abusive Litigation

New procedures are in place to stop and address abusive lawsuits.

ACT 95, SLH 2024 (SB63 CD2) – Temporary Nursing Permits

The Board of Nursing can now issue temporary permits to nurses from other states. Starting July 1, 2025, out-of-state nurses can apply for a temporary permit while also applying for a full license to practice in Hawaii.

ACT 112, SLH 2023 (SB674 CD1) – Interstate Medical Licensure Compact

Hawaii joins a program that makes it easier for doctors to practice in multiple states by streamlining the licensing process.

ACT 169, SLH 2024 (SB795 CD1) – Film Tax Credit

Film productions must show that they’ve made reasonable efforts to follow all rules to qualify for state tax credits. Taxpayers will also have 30 days to fix any issues they are notified about.

ACT 9, SLH 2024 (SB2354 SD1) – Alcohol Definition and Brewpub Sales

The definition of "beer" is expanded to include alcohol seltzers, and brewpubs can now sell beer they brew themselves.

ACT 17, SLH 2024 (SB2919 CD1) – Property Regulations and Transient Accommodations. Counties now have more power to control land use. Beginning January 1, 2025, the law will also apply to certain shelters and vehicles used for transient accommodations (like campers).

ACT 91, SLH 2024 (SB3125 HD2) – Medical Care for Minors

Minors aged 14 and older can now get certain medical services, like treatment for sexually transmitted infections and family planning, without needing parental consent. Health providers must keep this information private.

Rural Medical Air Transportation Pilot Program Update

The Department of Health hosted a Molokai community meeting in December following a Lana'i community held a few months earlier. Mahalo to all those who attended and contributed by sharing your ideas and experiences with the department. This Pilot Project was proposed last year by Rep. Poepoe to provide reliable air transportation for Lana'i and Molokai residents for non emergency medical purposes. We received an update from the Department of Health who advised us that a request for proposals (RFP) should be issued within the next couple of weeks. Following are key points regarding the pilot project shared at the meeting:

AARP Caring for our Kūpuna

Recently, AARP representatives from Maui met with Representative Poepoe to discuss the organization's top legislative priorities for the upcoming year. Among the key issues highlighted were strengthening financial retirement savings programs, enhancing caregiver support, and improving long-term care services and support for Hawaii’s residents.

AARP emphasized the importance of policies that help ensure economic security for older adults, as well as creating a more supportive environment for caregivers who play a vital role in caring for loved ones. Representative Poepoe expressed a strong commitment to addressing these critical issues and ensuring that Hawaii’s seniors and caregivers receive the support they need.

Maui Realtors Discuss Legislative Priorities

Representative Poepoe met with members of the Maui Realtors Association to share real estate data and discuss their legislative priorities for the upcoming session including ways to address the challenges facing Maui's housing market and solutions that support all stages of life for our local families. Rep Poepoe looks forward to collaborating with realtors and stakeholders to prioritize housing for our residents.



Free Career Resources Available

at Libraries on Maui, Lanai, and Molokai

Goodwill Hawai'i, in partnership with the American Job Center, is offering free career services to residents on Maui, Lanai, and Molokai! Specialists from the American Job Center will be at various public libraries to assist with the following:

• School
• Tuition Assistance
• Employment
• Work Clothing & Tools
• Training
• Internship Opportunities

Locations, Dates & Times

Hāna Public & School Library

Tel: (808) 248-4848

3rd Wednesday of each month

10:00am to 2:00pm

Kihei Public Library

Tel: (808) 875-6833

4th Thursday of each month

9:00am to 1:00 pm

Lānaʻi Public & School Library

Tel: (808) 565-7920

1st Tuesday of each month

9:00am to 11:00 am

12:00 pm to 4:00pm

Makawao Public Library

Tel: (808) 573-8785

3rd Tuesday of each month

10:00am to 1:00pm

Molokai Public Library

Tel: (808) 553-1765

Last Friday of each month

12:00pm to 4:00pm

Wailuku Public Library

Tel: (808) 243-5766

2nd Tuesday of each month

1:00pm to 4:00pm

Written Test for Driver's Permit Available Online

As of December 11, 2024, Hawaiʻi residents meeting the minimum age to test for a learner’s permit for a driver’s license can take a Home Driving Knowledge Test at https://knowtodrive.com/hawaii

Links to the county websites for more information on testing fees–which vary by county and more information on the online test can be found at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/online-learners-permit-test/  

The state’s new online driving knowledge test requires no appointment and can be taken anywhere at any time as long as the applicant has access to a desktop or laptop, internet access and a working webcam. Mobile devices, such as cell phones or tablets, cannot be used to take the Home Driving Knowledge Test due to system requirements for identity verification, which ensures the person taking the Home Driving Knowledge Test is the same person receiving the learner’s permit.

For more information about the services, visit the website of any of the following counties:

• City and County of Honolulu - honolulu.gov/csd
• Hawaiʻi County - https://www.vrl.hawaiicounty.gov/home-vrl
• Maui County - https://www.mauicounty.gov/
• Kauaiʻi County - https://www.kauai.gov/Home

Apply for 2025 Natural Resources Conservation Service Assistance Programs

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in the Pacific Islands area is now accepting applications for fiscal year 2025 assistance programs.

Farmers, ranchers, and foresters in the Pacific Islands area interested in fiscal year 2025 funding can apply by January 31, 2025, for technical and financial assistance through NRCS’ Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Agricultural Management Assistance Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

Applications and more information are available at your local USDA Service Centers and online.

The Capitol is OPEN to the public. However, it will continue to offer hybrid options for hearings and testimony.

Capitol Hours: Building hours for the State Capitol are 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Photo identification is required for entry into the building. All guests will receive an entry wristband upon completing the security checkpoint.

Paid Public Parking: The Capitol parking lot offers paid public parking.

Rep. Mahina Poepoe

District 13 House of Representatives

415 S. Beretania Street Room 331

Honolulu, HI 96813

(808) 586-6790

reppoepoe@gmail.com

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