Senator Mike Gabbard
July Newsletter
Vol. 19 Issue 7
Agriculture and Environment Committee, Chair
Judiciary Committee, Vice Chair
Government Operations Committee, Vice Chair
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Aloha e friends,
I hope you and your ‘ohana are well and that you had a wonderful 4th of July weekend...
Our Gabbard ‘ohana is once again spread across the world, and while I miss having everyone close, I’m grateful for the memories we’ve made and the moments we still find to reconnect. With everything going on in the world today, especially in politics and the news, I know it can sometimes feel overwhelming or even disheartening. But I choose to stay focused on the good we can do and the things we can change.
As always, please contact me at (808) 586-6830 or sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov if I can help you or your family in any way. I also invite you to follow me on social media: Instagram @GabbardAloha, Facebook, YouTube, and X @SENMIKEGABBARD. Also, if you’d like to be added to my mailing list, you can send an email to sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov with “mailing list” in the subject line.
| | Senator Gabbard and Governor Green celebrating the signing of SB1249 - “Duke’s Law” in the Governor’s ceremonial room, June 21, 2025. | | |
Please join me at my next Listen Story Community meeting on July 26, from 9am-10am at the Kapolei High School Teachers’ Lounge (91-5007 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, HI) Joining us will be special guest, Li Cobian, President of the Oʻahu Motorsports Association (OMA), who will give a presentation on the West Side Motorsports Park Project. There will be time for Q & A. Following Li’s presentation, I’ll give some brief community updates.
You can view past recordings of Listen Story meetings on my YouTube channel.
| | Celebrating International Yoga Day with Aloha and Awareness | | Senator Gabbard presenting an Honorary Certificate to the founder of GIIP, Dr. Raj Kumar at the Waikīkī Bandstand for the 7th Annual International Yoga Day, June 22, 2025. | | |
On Sunday, June 22, I was the Guest of Honor at the Gandhi International Institute for Peace (GIIP) 7th Annual International Yoga Day, at Kapiolani Park at the Waikīkī Bandstand. The theme this year was “Yoga for Health and Peace,” and I gotta say—it was a beautiful morning filled with sunshine, good vibes, and people from all walks of life coming together in the spirit of wellness and unity.
We opened with a powerful spiritual blessing from Veda Das, followed by remarks by Dr. Raj Kumar, Founder of Gandhi International Institute for Peace (GIIP) in Hawai’i and President of the Indian-American Friendship Council Hawai’i Chapter; Rakesh Adlakha, Deputy Consul General from San Francisco; and myself. There was a graceful Indian dance, healing sound bowls, and a series of yoga asanas led by Sun Yoga founder, Michele Santos, right there on stage. It was one of those moments where you look around and just feel grateful—grateful for community, for health, and for the peaceful energy yoga brings into our lives.
I had the privilege of presenting a proclamation on behalf of Governor Green and an Honorary Certificate on behalf of the Hawai‘i State Senate to Dr. Raj Kumar, the founder of GIIP. Along with GIIP President Harendra Panalal, these gentlemen have spent decades promoting peace and nonviolence here in Hawai‘i, and I mahalo them for keeping this movement alive.
In 2019, I collaborated with Dr. Kumar to introduce the Senate version of the bill which became law as Act 102, making Hawai‘i the first state in the country to establish June 21 of each year in Hawai‘i, as International Yoga Day—big moment! And now here we are, seven years later, still going strong.
Yoga isn’t just about stretching or holding poses—it’s about focusing on our spiritual essence in relationship with the Supreme—tuning into what really matters, and finding balance in a world that’s often off-kilter. That’s something we can all use a little more of these days.
Mahalo, Dr. Raj Kumar, founder of the Gandhi International Institute for Peace, and Harendra Panalal, President, for your efforts since 2006 to promote peace, nonviolence, and a yoga lifestyle for the highest well-being of all. And a special mahalo as well to all of the talented artists, volunteers, and attendees who made the morning truly special. As we carry this spirit forward, I hope we each find ways to weave health and peace into our daily routines.
| | Senator Gabbard and the founder of GIIP, Dr. Raj Kumar, at the Waikīkī Bandstand for the 7th Annual International Yoga Day, June 22, 2025. | | Senator Gabbard with L-R: Founder of Gandhi International Institute for Peace (GIIP) in Hawai’i and President of the Indian-American Friendship Council Hawai’i Chapter, Dr. Raj Kumar; Deputy Consul General from San Francisco and Chief Guest, Rakesh Adlakha; President of GIIP, Harendra Panalal. | |
Clearing the Road Ahead in the Villages of Kapolei: SB662 Signed Into Law
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For years, residents in the Villages of Kapolei have dealt with ongoing frustration—abandoned vehicles, illegally parked cars, and a lack of consistent traffic enforcement. The root of the problem? Many of the roads in the community were never officially transferred to the City and County of Honolulu and remain under the jurisdiction of a state agency, Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) leaving them in a kind of legal limbo.
As Senator for District 21, I’ve heard from many of you about this issue. Without official road ownership, the City couldn’t maintain the streets or enforce traffic laws—and HPD couldn’t do much either.
That’s why Rep. Diamond Garcia approached me to introduce Senate Bill 662, to finally begin solving this problem and make our community safer.
While the original version of the bill would have required the State to transfer ownership of the roads to the City by a set date, that provision was removed during the legislative process.
| | Senator Gabbard and Representative Garcia. | | |
But the good news? The core of the bill remained intact—and it still brings real improvements for public safety.
Here’s what SB 662 / Act 164 does:
- Authorizes HPD to enforce the Statewide Traffic Code on all public roads—even if the State still owns them.
One of the most important parts? It gives HPD the power to start enforcement immediately—so residents don’t have to wait for complicated legal transfers. That means more patrols, fewer abandoned cars, and safer streets for our families.
Mahalo to Representative Diamond Garcia for helping to move SB662 through the House and to Governor Green for signing it into law. It’s not everything we wanted—but it’s a major step forward.
We’re continuing to push for full resolution on the road transfer issue. But in the meantime, Act 164 gives HPD the tools they need to keep our neighborhoods safer—starting now.
| | AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT (AEN) UPDATES | | Moving Forward on “Duke’s Law” | At the SB1249 DLE kick-off meeting in Makaha, June 21. (Pictured L-R: Austin Salcedo, rancher; Representative Darius Kila; Senator Gabbard, Chair of Agriculture & Environment; Kalei Salcedo, rancher; Senator Tim Richards, Vice Chair of Agriculture & Environment; Senator Samantha DeCorte, Senate District 22 (Ko ‘Olina, Nānākuli, Mā‘ili, Wai‘anae, Mākaha, Mākua); President of Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Brian Miyamoto; Director of Law Enforcement, Mike Lambert; Deputy Director of Law Enforcement, Jared Redula; Chair of Hawai‘i Dept. of Agriculture, Sharon Hurd.) | | |
On June 21, I joined Director Mike Lambert of the Department of Law Enforcement (DLE), local ranchers, and community leaders at Our Lady of Keaʻau for a special briefing to kick off SB1249 / Act 235 — also known as “Duke’s Law.” This new law, named in honor of Cranston “Duke” Pia, who was tragically murdered while protecting his land in Mākaha, will establish a two-year pilot program on O'ahu and the Big Island to strengthen enforcement of penalties for crimes on agricultural lands. It funds new DLE officers dedicated to investigating theft, vandalism, illegal hunting, and trespassing on farms and ranches — something our rural communities have needed for a long time.
I want to mahalo Austin and Kalei Salcedo for hosting and continuing to push for safety and justice for our ag landowners. Their advocacy, along with the support of many others, helped bring this law to life.
As Chair of the Senate Agriculture & Environment Committee, I’ll be closely tracking the pilot’s rollout and making sure our farmers and ranchers get the support they need.
Mahalo to everyone who showed up — let’s keep moving forward together.
| | Big Wins for Hawaiʻi Agriculture: New Laws to Protect Our Farmers, Food & ʻĀina | | Governor Josh Green stands alongside local farmers, ranchers, lawmakers, and advocates as he signs SB1249—“Duke’s Law”—into law, strengthening Hawai‘i’s protections for agricultural lands and ensuring our farming ‘ohana has the support they need to thrive. (L-R: Kea’au Agriculture Landowner’s, Austin and Kalei Salcedo; HDOA Chair Sharon Hurd, Senator Gabbard, Representative Lisa Marten, Governor Josh Green, Senator Samantha DeCorte, Representative Kirsten Kahaloa, Senator Tim Richards; Executive Director, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Wendy Gady; HDOA Office of the Chairperson, Cedric Gates; and Coordinator, Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council, Chelsea Arnott.). | | On June 27, I headed upstairs to the Governor’s Ceremonial Room for a truly chicken skin‑ moment: Governor Green put pen to paper on five major agriculture bills that our Ag & Environment Committee helped shepherd through the Legislature this year. These new laws will make it safer to farm, be tougher on ag crime, and make it easier for local entrepreneurs to turn island crops into world-class products. | | |
Why these laws matter:
- Safer fields and ranches → more local food on our plates.
- Stronger biosecurity → fewer pests, healthier crops, protected reefs.
- New value-added products → higher farm income and good jobs for our keiki.
- Truth in labeling → protects the integrity of Hawai‘i-grown.
Big mahalo to Governor Green, Lt. Gov. Luke, my AEN Vice Chair Sen. Richards, Rep. Kahaloa‑, House Speaker Nakamura, our friends at HDOA, ADC, HFBF, and all the hardworking farmers, ranchers, hunters and environmental guardians who testified and shared manaʻo.
| | Kea’au Agriculture Landowner’s, Austin & Kalei Salcedo, pictured with Senator Gabbard before the bill signing ceremony in the governor’s ceremonial room, June 27, 2025. | | We’ve still got miles to go, but days like this remind me why we do what we do. Let’s keep farming, keep protecting the ʻāina, and keep those “grown, raised, & made in Hawaiʻi” labels rolling. | | Governor Josh Green holds the newly signed “Duke’s Law” alongside agriculture advocates and legislative champions. The bill honors the late Duke Pia’s legacy by strengthening protections for farmers and reinforcing Hawai‘i’s commitment to agricultural justice. (L-R: Kea’au Agriculture Landowner’s, Austin and Kalei Salcedo; HDOA Chair Sharon Hurd; Senator Gabbard; Representative Lisa Marten; Governor Josh Green; Senator Samantha DeCorte; Representative Kirsten Kahaloa; Senator Tim Richards; Executive Director, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Wendy Gady; Office of the Chairperson, HDOA Cedric Gates.) | |
Keiki Steering the Canoe: First-year Update on the Navahine Climate Settlement
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On June 25, I joined House Energy & Environmental Protection Chair Rep. Nicole Lowen, my colleagues from the Transportation Committee, officials with the State Dept. of Transportation, and many students and advocates at the Capitol in Conference Room 325 for a deep-dive briefing into the landmark Navahine F. v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation settlement.
What’s the Navahine Case About?
As background, thirteen brave island haumāna — many of them Native Hawaiian — took the State to court in 2022, arguing that our constitution guarantees them a “clean and healthful environment.” To his credit, Hawai‘i Dept. of Transportation (HDOT) Director Ed Sniffen sat down with Earthjustice and the kids’ legal team, hammering out a first‑in‑the‑world agreement to move all ground, sea, and inter‑island air transportation to Zero Emissions by 2045.
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My Take‑Home Message
I told the room that, after 16 years chairing the Senate environmental committee, the most powerful hearings are when keiki take the mic. Navahine shows the world what happens when youth, community, and government work together instead of duking it out in court.
We’ve still got heavy paddling ahead — hashing out hydrogen standards, making sure “renewable” really means low‑carbon and guaranteeing that rural and Native Hawaiian communities feel the benefits first. But make no mistake: Hawaiʻi just set the compass for every state wrestling with transportation emissions.
Mahalo to Director Sniffen, Gov. Green, Earthjustice, Our Children’s Trust, and — most of all — the young climate warriors who refused to sit quietly on the sidelines. Let’s keep the momentum rolling so our great grandkids can breathe easy, fish the reefs, and surf the breaks we love.
| | Senators Lee and Gabbard chat at the Informational Briefing on the landmark Navahine F. v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation settlement, June 25, 2025. | | Sen. Awa, Sen. Lee, Sen. Gabbard, Rep. Lowen, Rep. Kila, and Rep. Perruso, and Rep. Gradinetti at the briefing on the landmark Navahine F. v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation settlement, June 25, 2025. | | | | |
