Aloha e District 13!

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role as your State Representative is engaging with constituents and community groups across our District. I truly appreciate every opportunity to have these meaningful conversations with you.

Connecting With Community

Within the past month I have:

Participated in a community meeting in Ha’ikū where I was able to provide a legislative update and share insights about the ongoing activities at the Capitol.
Joined in on the fun at the Lāna’i Pineapple Festival, an incredible annual event that brings the community together and showcases many talented vendors and organizations.
Attended the Hāna Business Council annual meeting and luncheon where I was able to connect with business owners and community advocates.
Attended a community meeting in Pā’ia to receive a presentation on the “Climate Change Toolkit for Hawai’i’s Coastal Communities” pilot project which was developed through collaboration between the Mantokuji Mission in Pā’ia, UH Maui College, and Oceanit.

Funding Important Projects

I am happy to announce the release of CIP/GIA funds for several important projects benefiting our District. This includes:

$40,000,000 for lot development at Nāʻiwa Agricultural Lots on Molokai and Kēōkea-Waiohuli Phase 2B on Maui
$400,000 to the Lānaʻi Community Health Center for construction funds to expand the healthcare facility
$50,000 to the National Tropical Botanical Gardens for construction funds for improvements and maintenance of the fishing cottage at Kahanu Garden in Hāna.
$610,000 To finance the additional construction costs to improve the inbound baggage handling system at Kahului Airport, Maui
$2,000,000 to Molokai Middle School to finance design and construction improvements to the athletic and PE facilities including constructing a PE field and repaving the basketball courts.
$2,500,000 to Lāna’i High & Elementary Schools to finance design and construction to repair the roofs of various school buildings and renovate the gym flooring.
$437,000 to Kalaupapa Settlement, Moloka’i for design and construction for the removal of three underground storage tanks at the Kalaupapa Settlement.

Addressing Air Transportation Issues

Over the past two months I have continued meetings with stakeholders, aviation industry experts and service providers, the Department of Health, the Department of Transportation, Congresswoman Tokuda, as well as new companies that may be interested in entering the market to work on developing solutions that can provide dependable and safe intra-state travel options to our residents.

I have also been working with the Department of Health to plan the essential rural medical air pilot program for Molokai and Lāna’i. I look forward to sharing more information on this soon along with opportunities to provide input that will help to inform and shape the program.

Me ke aloha,

Mahina

Maui Site Visit

In June, Rep. Poepoe participated in a Maui site visit with legislative colleagues, including House Committee on Water & Land members. Legislators spent two days with the Department of Land & Natural Resources, learning about their different projects. The agenda included an all-island overview of Forestry and wildlife projects, which included numerous visits and stops to learn about the environmental and conservation programs being conducted throughout the island.

School Project Status Report

Rep. Poepoe recently met with the Department of Education to discuss a wide variety of projects to improve the schools in our District. Following is a current status report, and she will be meeting with Facilities Management on a regular basis for status updates.

Governorʻs Veto List

The following were bills passed during the 2024 Legislative Session but later vetoed, either in whole or in part, by Governor Green. While the Legislature has the option convene a special session to override vetoes, it was decided that such a special session would not be called. Click on the links to read the Governor's veto rationale.

GM1330 HB40 SD1 CD2

Appropriates funds to be deposited into the emergency and budget reserve fund and pension accumulation fund according to Article VII, section 6 of the Hawaii State Constitution.

GM1358 HB1633 HD1 SD1 CD1

Repeals the leasing restriction on owner-builders who obtain an owner-builder exemption to act as their own contractor and who build or improve residential or farm buildings or structures on property they own or lease and do not offer the buildings or structures for sale.

GM1333 HB1800 HD1 SD1 CD1

Adjusts and requests appropriations for the fiscal biennium 2023-2025 funding requirements for operations and capital improvement projects of Executive Branch agencies and programs. GM1359 HB2359 HD2 SD1 CD1

Establishes the Digital Equity Grant Program to award grants to applicants to deploy digital equity projects to covered populations in the State.

GM1331 HB2619 HD1 SD1 CD1

Requires the Department of Agriculture to lead and coordinate the State's invasive pest control and eradication biosecurity efforts. Establishes certain reporting requirements. Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for programs and positions in agricultural biosecurity. Appropriates funds to each county as a grant-in-aid, subject to a county match, for implementing feral chicken control programs.

GM1360 SB572 SD2 HD2 CD1

Authorizes and specifies conditions under which the Department of Agriculture may declare a biosecurity emergency, during which the Department and Governor may take certain actions to prevent the establishment or spread of pests and prohibited or restricted organisms. Broadens the objectives and general actions of the Biosecurity Program.

GM1361 SB1511 SD2 HD2 CD2

Clarifies the purpose of the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii and that its undertakings shall be limited to acts reasonably necessary to carry out its purpose. Repeals the requirement that the University of Hawaii contract with the Research Corporation when the University determines that other various agencies cannot more effectively or efficiently accomplish certain research and training activities. Grandfather's existing Research Corporation contracts and requires new contracts be subject to new limitations. Limits the scope of the special account the Research Corporation is authorized to establish. Requires revolving accounts to follow University of Hawaii Administrative Procedure 12.204. Limits internal service orders and revolving accounts of the Research Corporation that use University intramural funds for certain projects and requires biannual reports to the Legislature.

GM1362 SB2512 SD2 HD2 CD1

Establishes notice and reporting requirements for the Governor's expenditure or use of public resources, pursuant to the Governor's emergency powers.

GM1363 SB2557 SD1 HD1 CD1

Allows a court to appoint an attorney for the subject of a petition for assisted community treatment if the interests of justice require one to be appointed. Repeals language that entitles the subject of a petition for assisted community treatment to legal representation by a public defender.

GM1364 SB3068 SD1 HD1 CD2

Appropriates funds to support the State's continued response to the August 2023 wildfires that affected the counties of Hawaii and Maui. Declares that the appropriation exceeds the state general fund expenditure ceiling for 2024-2025.

GM1332 SB3153 SD2 HD1 CD1

Establishes the Dam and Appurtenance Improvement or Removal Grant Program Special Fund to receive moneys for the Dam and Appurtenance Improvement or Removal Grant Program. Appropriates funds into and out of the Special Fund for the Dam and Appurtenance Improvement or Removal Grant Program.

Applications Open for Hawaiʻi Public Pre-K

This school year, the State is opening 44 new public preschool classrooms. If you or someone you know has young keiki, be sure to check the list of new classrooms and visit earlylearning.ehawaii.gov to enroll today.

Children 3 or 4 years old on or before July 31 of the school year are eligible to apply. For school year 2024–2025, children born on or between August 1, 2019, and July 31, 2021, are eligible.

Services for Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity

As Congress works to restore funding for the continuation of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), Hawaii Telcom is continuing to offer a $30 per month Internet Service, although ACP has been suspended. While the minimum speed is 100/20 Mbps, Altafiber/Hawaii Telcom will offer a symmetrical 100/100 Mbps.

For more information on the Affordable Connectivity Program, click here.

For more information on Hawaii Telcom and their services, click here.

Come Visit the Capitol!

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 has reopened for paid public parking.

Rep. Mahina Poepoe

District 13 House of Representatives

415 S. Beretania Street Room 331

Honolulu, HI 96813

(808) 586-6790