Lots Done But So Much

More to Accomplish

Over the course of four months, the Legislature worked cooperatively to introduce, hear, and pass measures that address many pressing issues including recovery and rebuilding of Lahaina and Maui, ensuring the State was prepared for future disasters arising from the impacts of climate change, providing tax relief to the State's asset limited, income constrained, employed (ALICE) families, expanding services for mental health care, and addressing the State's housing crisis, including restraint on the proliferation of short-term rentals. The House of Representatives alone introduced 1,293 House Bills, 226 House Concurrent Resolutions, and 227 House Resolutions for consideration. By the time the Legislature adjourned Sine Die on May 3, 2024, it had passed 262 bills focused on various matters impacting the State, including the following:

• Appropriating over $1 billion to support the State's response to the August 2023 Maui wildfires, including:

• $362,000,000 as an emergency appropriation for fiscal year 2023-2024 to address  costs related to the provision of food, housing, compensation, or other assistance to individuals affected by the Maui wildfires; and

• $447,159,926 out of a combination of general revenues and assorted special funds for fiscal year 2024-2025 to provide ongoing wildfire relief, recovery, management, and prevention;

• Enhancing the State's fight against invasive species by appropriating $19,780,660 to the Department of Agriculture for programs and positions for the Department's biosecurity program;

• Supporting Hawaii's coffee farmers by requiring coffee products to be at least 51 percent coffee by weight from coffee grown in Hawaii before they can be labeled or advertised as originating in Hawaii;

• Providing a historic level of tax relief to the State's working families by increasing the standard deduction amounts for each filing status for taxable years 2024, 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2031, and amending the income tax brackets to widen the applicability of lower tax rates to the taxable income of each filing status for taxable years 2025, 2027, and 2029;

• Responding to the demand for increased Hawaiian language immersion education by appropriating $3,544,683 and 13 positions for the Department of Education's Kaiapuni education programs;

• Establishing the Solar Hui Program to allow financing for installation of solar rooftop by low- and middle-income families in a multi-family residential property;

• Exempting from the general excise tax health care goods and services provided to patients who receive Medicaid, Medicare, or TRICARE benefits ;

• Authorizing the counties to amortize or phase out certain short-term rentals;

• Increasing the monthly personal needs allowance for individuals living in certain long-term care facilities;

• Proposing a constitutional amendment protecting marriage equality in the State;

• Establishing an Office of the Fire Marshal and appropriating funds for a State Fire Marshal and support positions.

Once established Little fire ant colonies can be very difficult and often impossible to eradicate. Early detection and rapid response are critical to reducing and controlling the spread. If you live in Hāna you can help by testing your property for the presence of LFA and encouraging your family, friends, and neighbors to do the same.

Sharing the following information from HFUU Hāna Chapter:

LFA Alert for Hāna!

In response to a report of stinging ants along Waikoloa Road late last week, the MISC Hāna crew began surveying for little fire ants (LFA) on Tuesday (5/28). LFA have been confirmed along the roadway near the landfill. The MISC Hāna crew has not found LFA at the landfill, although surveys are still underway. MISC will continue until we know how widespread the infestation is and will begin treatment as soon as possible.

We need your kōkua to find little fire ant infestations; community reports are how MISC finds nearly all new populations of LFA.

How to collect ants

• Use peanut butter to bait a chopstick or piece of cardboard and place it near ants.
• Wait 1 hour before collecting in a sealable plastic bag.
• Freeze overnight
• Label with your name/phone number/address
• Drop it off at the Hāna MISC Baseyard 2-3:30pm.

Find more information about little fire ants, videos on how to survey, and request a free collection kit through stoptheant.org. Reports of stinging ants can also be submitted online through the 643PEST.org report system.

Report a pest at www.643pest.org

HECOʻs Plan for Cutting Power to

Reduce Wildfire Risks

Hawaiian Electric is preparing to implement their plan for proactive power shutdowns in areas at high risk for wildfires during extreme weather. A Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) cuts power to electrical lines as a last resort in the interest of public safety. PSPS may reduce the risk of utility-associated wildfires but may leave communities without power, which brings its own risks and hardships. PSPS will only be utilized as a last resort when there is imminent and significant wildfire risk.

There is a combination of risk factors for wildfires, including exposure to strong winds, dry conditions, vegetation prone to wildfires, and historically higher rates of wildfires. Over time, Hawaiian Electric will expand this program to all high-risk areas on the islands that it serves. The specific areas (see map above) for Maui, including District 13, are highlighted in the map above.

To learn more about PSPS, click here. For more information on Hawaiian Electric's interim wildfire safety measures, click here.

E HELUHELU KĀKOU:

Letʻs Read!

Visit your local library this summer and check out a book to increase literacy and win some prizes! Over 15 million minutes of reading were logged during last year's Summer Reading Challenge. To participate in this year's Summer Reading Challenge, hosted by the Hawaii State Public Library, read below and share with your family and friends. 

Starting June 1, readers of ALL AGES can earn badges and be entered to win free prizes as they log their reading time. This summer’s theme is E Heluhelu Kākou; Moʻolelo, celebrating the rich and varied stories that shape our communities.

Here’s how it works:

• Register now online at www.librarieshawaii.org/summerreading or by visiting your local library.
• Start reading on June 1.
• Read at least one hour per week.
• Log your reading minutes using the Beanstack app (librarieshawaii.beanstack.org).
• Keep it up until the end of July.
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Our local libraries offer a variety of activities and programs, so check them out and make the most of your summer vacation!

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

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