LoPresti apologizes for removing Maluafiti campaign materials
In a statement emailed to The Independent, the Senatorial candidate says he returned the materials later, but has no excuse for his behavior.
Hawaiʻi will ban chlorpyrifos, establish meaningful pesticide regulations
With Governor Ige's signature, SB3095 will become law and Hawaiʻi will lead the nation in establishing pesticide regulatory policy that protects the health and safety of its people and environment.
House public safety committee wins Rusty Scalpel award for hurricane Frankenbill
The committee voted to gut a criminal justice reform bill and replace it with a bill looking at hurricane-resistant school structures with no input from advocates or the community.
Hawaiʻi could become the first state to ban chlorpyrifos
Activists have been fighting for years for a comprehensive pesticide regulation bill. Now one is heading to a final floor vote after passing through conference committee.
What just happened to Reps. Ito and Tokioka?
Reps. Ito and Tokioka just lost their leadership positions on the House veterans committee, and it might have been because of a planned coup to overthrow House leadership.
House Speaker to Mayor Caldwell: Honolulu can only handle one flagship project at a time
With Honolulu’s Rail project just recently bailed out by the state and the city's history of mismanaging it, Speaker Saiki thinks the city should focus on getting its flagship project under control before starting on new ones.
Ethics Commission gives award to legislature—for doing what it is legally obligated to do
Every member of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature filed financial disclosure forms on time, as required by law—apparently grounds for a literal award.
Is Souki’s House leadership in trouble?
Within today's House committee chair shuffle lies the very real potential for an impending leadership shakeup.
State House names Tom “Sledgehammer” Brower as housing committee chair
Brower’s disparaging words and dehumanizing actions toward those experiencing houselessness in Hawaiʻi make him a controversial choice to chair the committee.
Former biotech legislator of the year to head House agriculture committee
While the State Senate has become more progressive, this is yet another example of the State House moving in the opposite direction.
Rep. Wooley’s gut-and-replace gambit
In an attempt to get a GMO-labeling bill heard this session, Rep. Jessica Wooley turned to a legislative maneuver that many agree is an unsavory tactic.
Minimum wage ‘compromise’ bill watered down to appease business owners
The House labor committee's draft of the minimum wage increase bill is pitched as a compromise, but still favors small business owners over their employees.
Why are homeless community members opposing a proposed ‘Homeless Bill of Rights?’
House Bill 1889 is widely supported—but not by some of the very people who it would supposedly protect.