What's Happening in our Community & at the Capitol

Welcome to the 2024 Legislative Session!

January 2 starts our new regular session, with Opening Day scheduled for Wednesday, January 17. We will mail a Legislative update soon, including Rep. Poepoeʻs legislative package and other important information. To learn how you can follow legislation, be alerted to upcoming hearings, provide testimony, and keep track of the legislative calendar, please register for one of the Public Access Roomʻs free Training Sessions.

Visit the Public Access Room webpage here: https://lrb.hawaii.gov/par/

Use Your Voice at the Legislature

“Your Voice” training focuses on advocacy at the State Capitol. A variety of information will cover everything from suggesting an idea for a new law to asking for hearings, testifying, and following bills through the legislative process.

Thursday, January 18, 6:00 p.m. Register here

Get to Know the Legislature’s Website

The Hawaiʻi State Legislature’s website is a great portal, providing useful advocacy tools. The website’s interactive features, search tips, and more will all be covered.

We offer this Zoom training at three different dates/times. Plan on 45 minutes (with time for questions) and get yourself prepared for the session!

Thursday, January 11, 6:00 p.m. Register here

Tuesday, January 16, 12:00 noon. Register here

Legislative Calendar and Deadlines

Learn to read the legislative calendar and know the deadlines and how they affect the legislation you’re following.

Thursday, January 18, 3:00 p.m. Register here

Questions? Need more information? Contact the Public Access Room at 808/587-0478 or par@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Legislative Updates on Grants-In-Aid for the

2024 Legislative Session

Applications due January 19, 2024

On December 28th, 2023, The Hawaiʻi State Legislature announced that the Grants-In-Aid (GIA) process for the 2024 Legislative Session is now open, and interested parties are asked to submit their applications to the Legislature.

The Legislature will continue to accept GIA applications until Friday, January 19, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., and final determinations will be made as Council on Revenue forecasts in January and March are published and long-term plans for fire recovery efforts unfold.

The Legislature makes appropriations for GIA by Chapter 42F of the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS). The Eligibility Verification stage requires the submission of documentation to verify that the Grantee meets the standards for a grant award under HRS §42F-103. For additional details on the GIA application process, click here.

Meet Your 2024 Session Staff!

Kiera Williams

Committee Clerk

Kiera is our committee clerk for the 2024 session. They have a bachelor's degree in science in computer science from UH Manoa and spent 2 years at the Hawaii State Energy Office as an Energy Affordability VISTA. They enjoy a combination of active and lowkey activities such as kickball and hiking, as well as reading and watching TV shows. Also, they like engaging in sporadic bouts of art!

Ashley Perreira

Legislative Aide and Analyst

Ashley is our legislative aide and analyst during the session. Coming from a background in fashion, she is new to the legislative world and is eager to learn as much as she can during the session. In her free time, she likes to attend yoga and barre classes at her neighborhood studio and loves being in and around the water. She also loves traveling and exploring new places.

Nichole Cavada

Intern

Nichole is our UH intern working with us during the 2024 Session. She is currently majoring in computer sciences at UH West Oahu with a focus on cybersecurity. She describes herself as quiet and kind and likes to play video games and watch TV shows during her free time. She's currently watching the House of the Dragons!

Come Visit the Capitol!

The Capitol is completely reopened to the public. However, it will continue to offer hybrid options for hearings and testimony. Following is specific information that may be helpful:

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