Complete Statewide List of General Election Voter Service Centers and Ballot Drop Boxes
Will OHA Squander the $55 Million from the Legislature?
Will Supreme Court Ban Short-Form ‘Shell Bills’
SA: … The Hawaii Supreme Court is being asked to put a damper on a common practice at the Legislature that allows state lawmakers to skirt a deadline for introducing bills each year.
Used for decades by many lawmakers, the practice involves introducing bills that lack substantive language — effectively blank bills — that can be amended later and made law after a full complement of required public readings.
During this year’s legislative session from Jan. 21 to May 8, more than 200 such bills called “short form bills” were introduced…Hawaii lawmakers introduced at least 124 short-form bills in 2025, and … over 400 short-form bills were introduced in each legislative session from 2006 to 2008….
he League of Women Voters of Hawaii, filed a lawsuit last year in state Circuit Court arguing that one short-form bill that became law in 2025 should be invalidated on grounds that it violated a provision in Hawaii’s Constitution pertaining to required relevant titles for bills and the Legislature’s introduction deadline.
The case, which holds implications for broad use of short-form bills, was dismissed by a Circuit Court judge. However, LWV recently asked the state’s high court to consider an appeal, given what the nonprofit describes as novel questions of “fundamental public importance” concerning the minimum constitutional procedure required for enacting laws in Hawaii.
“The people of Hawaii deserve a clear explanation of the standards for those constitutional mandates,” LWV, represented by the Honolulu-based nonprofit Public First Law Center, said in its appeal filed Oct. 15. “The legislative process lies at the core of our democracy. The people of Hawaii must know their rights if they are expected to participate meaningfully in that process.” …
In its original complaint, LWV argued that Senate Bill 935, which became Act 290 last year, ran afoul of a clause in Hawaii’s Constitution that reads, “No law shall be passed except by bill. Each law shall embrace but one subject, which shall be expressed in its title.”
SB 935’s title was “Relating to Government” and the purpose of the proposed act was “to effectuate the title of this act.”
Sen. Dru Kanuha (D, Kona-Kau-Volcano) introduced SB 935 on Jan. 17, 2025, ahead of a Jan. 23 bill introduction cutoff for the session set by House Speaker Nadine Nakamura (D, Hanalei-Princeville-Kapaa) and Senate President Ron Kouchi (D, Kauai-Niihau).
On Feb. 18, the Senate Ways and Means Committee chaired by Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (D, Mililani-Wahiawa-Whitmore Village) amended the bill without discussion, filling SB 935 with language from a proposed draft that had been recently posted on the Legislature’s webpage for the bill, and then scheduled an initial public hearing for the amended bill on Feb. 26.
The new 35-page version of the bill called for reducing retirement payments for new judges, increasing retirement compensation for sheriffs and deputies, and cutting the number of years required for certain public workers to qualify for retirement benefits….
A final draft that became law reduced retirement payments for judges confirmed after June 30, 2031, from 3% of their average final compensation per year of service as a judge to 1.75%. It also appropriated $300,000 for a study on shortening the vesting period for benefits.
LWV argued in Circuit Court that the Legislature’s bill introduction deadline was established in part to allow the public to familiarize itself with all legislation for a session, and to prepare testimony.
Because substantive content of SB 935 was produced after the deadline, the public didn’t have an appropriate chance to be aware of or testify on the proposed law dealing with public employee pensions, LWV argued….
SB935: Text, Status Opposition Testimony from Judiciary: “The Judiciary respectfully and strongly opposes page 5, lines 1 through 6 of Senate Bill 935, Senate Draft 1, which proposes to decrease retirement benefits for “a member who has credited service as a judge after January 31, 2025.” As written, this portion raises constitutional concerns by seeking retroactive application to current judges. Specifically, the phrasing of applicability to a member “who has credited service as a judge after January 31, 2025” appears to include those who have credited service after that date and those who have credited service as a judge on and before that date….”
June 2025: Green Adds SB935 to 'Intent-to-Veto' List
July 2025: What Did Green Veto?
Sept 2025: Hawaii Legislature sued over "blank" bills
read … Bill intro deadline appeal lodged with high court | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
First Lady Deeply Entrenched in Hawaii Foster Care System
SGL: … Jaime Kanani Green was born and bred in Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. She attended her secondary education at ʻIolani School before joining college at Brown University, where she got her bachelor’s degree.
Later, after graduating from college, she returned to Hawaiʻi and joined the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law, where she attained her law degree. Her education background would later enable her to venture into the family law and child advocacy sector.
Later, after graduating from college, she returned to Hawaiʻi and joined the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law, where she attained her law degree. Her education background would later enable her to venture into the family law and child advocacy sector.
As a First Lady, Jaime had prior experience working in family law before transitioning to child advocacy via policy and non-profit organizations. She is a program coordinator at Project Visitation, which plans special outings and monthly visits for siblings who have been separated from each other as part of the foster care system. She has also worked as a Human Services Committee clerk at the Hawaii State Senate.
Furthermore, Jaime has volunteered as a guardian ad litem in the Hawaii State Judiciary. In this capacity, she has participated in child advocacy through the judicial system. In all her work, she has advocated for disadvantaged children and families as well as issues related to youth….
read … Who Is Jaime Kanani Green?
Hawaiʻi Council Deadlocked On Short-Term Rental Bill
CB: … Bill 147 would broaden the areas where vacation rentals are allowed and extend the rental period considered short-term to anything under 180 days instead of under 30 days….
read … A 6-Month Vacation? Hawaiʻi Council Deadlocked On Short-Term Rental Bill - Honolulu Civil Beat
Negotiating Position: City Council urges the return of Bellows military lands to Hawaii, seek 8a cash bonanza
SA: … The Honolulu City Council’s Zoning and Planning Committee voted on Oct. 22 to recommend that the full Council adopt a committee draft of Resolution 236, which calls for the United States to return the lands used by Bellows Air Force to the people of Hawaii. The resolution also calls for the federal government to bear sole ($$$) responsibility for (paying 8a contractors to) cleaning up unexploded munitions and remediating chemical contamination on the property….
read … City Council urges the return of Bellows military lands to Hawaii | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Cockfighting: 100 Roosters Are Driving These Oʻahu Neighbors Nuts
CB: … Young’s property has been in her family for decades. She grew up there, she said, and her grandma and uncle still lived there until they died last year. She said she remained close with them as they grew older.
Both relatives died within a few months of each other, she said, prompting her to move into the house.
When she moved in, the house already had chickens, which Young said her uncle used for cockfighting. She’s confused why Miranda, who has lived next door for decades, didn’t complain then but is complaining now.
Miranda said that’s because he moved in after the roosters were already there, and that he was on good terms with Young’s uncle.
“I kind of looked the other way,” he said, “even though it was irritating. And then I figured once he passed away that we’d be done with the chickens.”….
read … 100 Roosters Are Driving These Oʻahu Neighbors Nuts - Honolulu Civil Beat
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