Senator Mike Gabbard
May Newsletter
Vol. 19 Issue 5
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 doing well. As we move into May and get ready for Memorial Day later this month, it’s a good time to gather with loved ones, recharge, and most importantly, remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedoms.
We just wrapped up the 2025 Legislative Session on May 2. It’s been a busy time at the Capitol, and because of all the end-of-session action, we didn’t hold a Listen Story meeting in April. I’m looking forward to catching up with you at our next Listen Story on Saturday, May 10, where I’ll be giving a full legislative wrap-up.
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Below is a quick preview of some of the major highlights from this year’s session. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out at (808) 586-6830 or sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov.
You can also stay connected with me on social media: Instagram (@SenatorMikeGabbard), Facebook, YouTube, or X.
Wishing you and your ‘ohana all the best,
Me ke aloha pumehana,
| | | Senator Mike Gabbard on the senate floor preparing for Final Reading on April 30, 2025 | | | Senator Mike Gabbard on the senate floor on April 30, 2025 | | Senator Mike Gabbard on the senate floor for Sine Die (End of 2025 Regular Session) on May 2, 2025. | | As you can see in the chart below, 3,172 total bills were introduced this session. This is pretty typical for a full session. Of those, *322 bills passed out of the Senate and House Chambers. As of May 5, the Governor has just begun reviewing them, with most still pending action — sitting on his desk, patiently waiting for his next move. So, what happens next? | | |
What Happens Next...
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If the Governor signs the bill by July 9, 2025, the bill becomes law and is given an act number.
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If the Governor doesn’t sign or veto by July 9, the bill automatically becomes law without his signature.
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If the Governor intends to veto a bill, he must notify the Legislature by June 24, 2025, and formally deliver the veto by July 9, 2025.
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If a bill is vetoed, it won’t become law unless the Legislature overrides it during a special session by a two-thirds vote in both chambers.
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The Legislature must convene in a special session no later than July 9, 2025, to attempt any veto overrides.
Stay tuned — it’s not over yet!
| | AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT (AEN) BILLS THAT PASSED FINAL READING | | Senator Gabbard, Austin Salcedo (Kea‘au Agricultural Landowner), Senator Richards, and Senator DeCorte after “Duke’s Law” (SB1249) passed final reading on the Senate Floor on April 30, 2025. | | As Chair of the Senate Agriculture & Environment Committee, one of my biggest priorities is protecting our ʻāina and supporting local food systems. This session, I introduced and supported several bills aimed at strengthening Hawaiʻi’s food security, combating invasive species, and building a more sustainable future for our islands. Here are a few highlights: | Members of the conference committee on the “Ag Crimes bill” (SB1249) posed for photos after passing the measure. (L-R: Sen. DeCoite, Rep. Kusch, Sen. Gabbard, Rep. Kahaloa, Sen. Richards, Rep. Matsumoto and Sen. Rhoads) | | AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT (AEN) BILLS THAT FAILED | | Senator Gabbard (AEN Committee Chair) Meeting with the Hawai’i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) before conference on April 12, 2025. (L-R: Dean Matsukawa - Deputy Director of the HDOA, Sharon Hurd - HDOA chairperson and director, Sen. Gabbard, and Cedric Gates - Planner V, of the HDOA). | |
NON-AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT (NON-AEN) BILLS THAT PASSED FINAL READING
| | Below are some of the bills that passed final reading and are awaiting the Governor's signature, and those that failed, that I thought might be of interest to you: | | NON-AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT (NON-AEN) BILLS THAT FAILED | Sen. Gabbard, Sen. DeCoite, Governor Green, and Rep. Tam after a conference meeting on April 25, 2025 | | HB300 - The State Budget Bill | | Members of the Senate Ways and Means (WAM) Committee and House Finance (FIN) Committee passing HB 300 CD1 on April 22, 2025, during Conference. | | |
Here’s the budget overview for the upcoming fiscal biennium (Fiscal Year 2026 and Fiscal Year 2027).
This measure includes funding for operations, capital improvement projects (CIP), and major statewide investments to strengthen critical areas like housing, education, health care, agriculture, and transportation.
The bill includes:
· General Fund
o FY2026: $10.593 billion
o FY2027: $10.637 billion
· All Means of Financing
o FY2026: $19.940 billion
o FY2027: $19.763 billion
This budget focused on five main goals:
- Expanding affordable housing and critical infrastructure statewide
- Strengthening agriculture, food security, and biosecurity
- Investing in education and early childhood development
- Upgrading healthcare, public safety, and emergency preparedness
- Modernizing technology and protecting natural resources
| | Department of Agriculture Budget Highlights | |
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$22 million for improvements to state irrigation systems and reservoir safety
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$4 million for health and safety improvements at agricultural facilities
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$2 million for construction of a small animal slaughterhouse
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$11 million for upgrades to the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR)
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$12.73 million in each fiscal year and 44 positions to expand biosecurity efforts.
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$480,000 for vehicle replacements in FY26 (and $76,000 in FY27)
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$7M – Climate change and sea level rise adaptation
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$10M – State parks
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$8M – Drinking water aquifer monitoring
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$28M – Small boat harbor upgrades (including Lahaina)
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$48M – Agricultural land acquisition
| | Senate District 21 (Kapolei, Makakilo, Kalaeloa) Budget Highlights | |
📍 Community & Education Investments
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Youth Challenge Academy (Kalaeloa) – $2.2 million added to improve programming for at-risk youth through the National Guard's residential alternative education and mentorship program.
- UH West O‘ahu Campus
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$323K + 2 positions to launch a Pre-Nursing Program
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$112K + 1 position to expand Financial Aid Services
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$200K + 2 positions for Auxiliary Creative Media
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$1.47M + 3 positions for the Ulu‘ulu Moving Image Archive – preserving Hawai‘i’s film and video history.
🏥 Health & Housing
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Waiʻanae Family Assessment Center – $3.1 million for homeless family services, including housing stabilization and social services support.
| Sen. Gabbard, Sen. DeCoite, Governor Green, and Rep. Tam after a conference meeting on April 25, 2025 | | |
🌱 Agriculture & Environment
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Statewide Biosecurity (benefiting West Oʻahu farms) – $25.8 million and 44 new positions to combat invasive species, protect ag lands, and increase food security statewide.
⚖️ Law Enforcement & Safety
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Wahiawā Civic Center – Over $1.3 million and staffing for new courthouse and public safety needs
- Capitol District – $5.1 million for deputy sheriffs + $8.6 million for upgraded security camera systems.
🌊 Infrastructure & Transportation
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Kalaeloa Harbor – Part of a $142 million statewide allocation for modernization, safety upgrades, and maintenance of harbor facilities that are critical for West O‘ahu’s economic development.
| | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS | | |
🏗️ Developments
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East Kapolei TOD Infrastructure – $500,000
- Funds planning for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to support future transit-oriented development (TOD) around East Kapolei.
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Kalaeloa Infrastructure (District-wide) – $1,000,000
- Supports a programmatic EIS for the Kalaeloa Community Development District to guide long-term land use and infrastructure development.
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Hālau Waʻa Commons (Kapolei) – $480,000
- Supports planning, design, and construction for a cultural and community space by the Episcopal Church of Hawaiʻi that centers Native Hawaiian values, ocean education, and gathering.
🏫 Department of Education
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James Campbell High School – $9,000,000
- Continued phased upgrades for stadium and athletic facilities, including locker rooms, restrooms, concessions, and bleachers.
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Kapolei High School – $3,000,000
- Funds for design of a new classroom building to help address overcrowding.
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Barbers Point Elementary School – $430,769
- Construction of a new pre-K classroom as part of the statewide preschool expansion initiative.
🎓 University of Hawaiʻi
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UH West Oʻahu – $6,500,000
- Plans, design, and construction for facility improvements as part of the “Renew, Improve, Modernize” initiative.
🌱 Department of Land and Natural Resources
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East Kapolei TOD Project – Amount not specified
- Planning and design for development of four DLNR-owned parcels near Keoneʻae rail station to align with future TOD goals.
🚢 Department of Transportation
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Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor Improvements – $34,992,000
- For planning, design, and construction improvements to modernize harbor operations. Project eligible for federal reimbursement.
🚰 Board of Water Supply
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Monitoring Wells (Island-wide) – $2,000,000
- Planning, design, and construction of groundwater monitoring wells to test for fuel-related contamination from the Red Hill crisis. City and County will contribute 80% of the project cost.
🏛️ Department of Defense
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National Guard Youth Challenge Academy (Kalaeloa) – $8,000,000
- For improvements to facilities serving at-risk youth through mentorship, discipline, and educational support programs.
| | Senator Gabbard’s staff and Wife in the Senate Gallery for Sine Die (End of 2025 Regular Session) on May 2, 2025. (L-R: Arianna Romualdo - Intern, Nadia Riggs - Assistant Committee Clerk, Lia Bellord - Committee Clerk, Melanie June - Community Liaison, Meg Turner - Office Manager, and Carol Gabbard - Senator Gabbard’s wife). | | |
Now that the 2025 Legislative Session has officially ended, I want to send a heartfelt mahalo to everyone who helped get things across the finish line — my incredible staff, our Agriculture and Environment committee ‘ohana, community advocates, agency partners, and fellow legislators.
From tackling invasive species and landfill siting to strengthening local food systems and expanding support for our keiki — this session took a lot of teamwork. I’m proud of what we accomplished together and deeply grateful for the dedication, late nights, and aloha that made it happen.
Mahalo nui for showing up with heart and helping us move Hawai‘i forward.
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🚦 WESTSIDE PUBLIC SAFETY TOWN HALL
On May 7, 2025, I’ll be joining Councilmember Andria Tupola and Representative Diamond Garcia to support a Public Safety Town Hall at Honouliuli Middle School from 6:00–7:30 PM. We’ll be discussing traffic and vehicular safety, school safety, and e-bike/e-motorcycle safety, with updates from DTS and HPD. There will also be a Q&A session. Hope to see you there!
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