Raft of Hawaii bills survive committee

Bills that would provide for mental health care, veterans care and invasive species research are advancing in the Hawaii legislature.

A Senate committee Wednesday pushed forward dozens of bills on a range of issues. They will next go to the Senate floor for a vote.

Among the highlights are bills aimed at preparing Hawaii residents for the costs of aging and a bill that would increase the amount of affordable housing in the state.

Another bill would make kindergarten mandatory for five-year-old children in Hawaii. Other bills would try to attract investment in such Hawaii industries as film, technology, geriatric research. Under another, Hawaii would move its public safety facilities to a central place, where they would be less vulnerable to storms.