State lawmakers kick off new legislative session
Hawaii lawmakers are opening a new session of the state Legislature with vows to tackle the housing crisis, homelessness and find out how the emergency management agency mistakenly pushed a ballistic missile attack warning to cell phones over the weekend.
The new session of the Legislature starts today. It’s scheduled to last through early May.
House Speaker Scott Saiki has said housing and homelessness are complex and expensive issues that require mostly require long-term approaches. But he says House members know they are priorities and are prepared to put resources behind them this year.
Also today, protesters are marking the 125th anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy with a march to Iolani Palace. Organizers plan an offering at the Queen Liliuokalani statute, speeches, music and hula.