Hawaii Senate kills marijuana ‘decriminalization’ bill
Fifteen senators voted against the bill, eight voted yes, and one voted yes with “reservations.” Read more
Fifteen senators voted against the bill, eight voted yes, and one voted yes with “reservations.” Read more
The concept of charging a new fee for tourists to help offset their impact drew overwhelming support as the amended version of HB 2406 moved through the House before crossing over to the Senate. Read more
Wayne Metcalf — a former state representative, senator, insurance commissioner and judge has died at the age of 71. Read more
The full House on Wednesday sent 10 “good government” bills, as it called them, to Gov. Josh Green — but none will lead to any sweeping ethics, campaign spending or other reforms to change the way the Legislature does business. Read more
The city plans to close Ulehawa Beach Park from Moihihi Street to Depots Beach near Haleaka Avenue — where about 40 people live — from 10 p.m. April 24 until 5 a.m. May 1. Read more
State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole remembers playing as a boy in the 1990s at homes in Kaneohe that have now become illegal short-term rentals — including one directly behind his house that’s outfitted with a putting green and tiki torches. Read more
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Honolulu defines short-term rentals, or vacation rentals, as lodgings that provide guest accommodation for fewer than 30 consecutive days. Read more
Rent control might be needed as Maui landlords continue to demand more money for limited housing to accommodate survivors of the Aug. 8 wildfires, according to officials with the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement who say victims might need to consider moving off-island for a year or more. Read more
All bills must pass three readings in both the House and Senate and differences between the Senate and House versions of SB 2487 mean it will likely head to conference committee before the end of the session on May 3. Read more
While the push to legalize recreational marijuana again appears dead at the state Legislature, a bill remains alive that one lawmaker said would “essentially” have the same effect by allowing a citation and fine of only $25 for having up to 2 ounces of cannabis — or 100 to 120 joints. Read more
The latest effort to legalize recreational marijuana for adults appears dead once again after House Finance Chair Kyle Yamashita declined to hold a vote on Senate Bill 3335. Read more
House Finance Chair Kyle Yamashita said the priority for the current legislative session remains meeting the financial demands to help Maui recover from the deadly Aug. 8 wildfires. Read more
The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii hopes its victory before the Hawaii Supreme Court over Maui County homeless sweeps will bolster its case against Honolulu when its lawsuit over Oahu’s homeless policies goes to trial in October. Read more
Members of Lahaina Strong flew to the state Capitol on Thursday for the second time this legislative session to urge passage of either of two House and Senate companion bills that would give counties the option to phase out short-term vacation rentals on their islands. Read more
There are enough housing options on Maui to accommodate everyone 231 days after the fires, Green said. Read more
There are enough housing options on Maui to accommodate everyone 231 days after the fires, Green said. Read more
Green has threatened a first-in-Hawaii ban on short-term vacation rentals if not enough West Maui owners rent to fire survivors by Monday. Read more
Political donor Dennis Mitsunaga, his associates and family members contributed $48,250 in campaign funds to then-Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro as Kaneshiro’s office pursued a criminal case against a fired Mitsunaga employee who later sued the company for discrimination. Read more
After more than three hours of testimony, the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce voted to keep Senate Bill 2335 alive, with minor tweaks. Read more
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz had planned Tuesday to address his colleagues on the floor of the U.S. Senate about record funding for Native American communities, but first took the opportunity to say that Congress “is failing disaster survivors” in Lahaina and across the country. Read more
Legislators appear willing to make jaywalking legal across the islands — when safe — arguing in a Senate bill that pedestrians’ judgments are better at reducing injuries and deaths than traffic lights and traffic markings. Read more