STATEMENTS FROM THE HAWAIʻI STATE LEGISLATURE REGARDING SALARY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
News Release from Hawaii Legislature, April 8, 2025
Honolulu, HI – Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi and House Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura issued the following statements:
Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi
"The salary commission's report details the substantial time and effort dedicated in its final Report and Recommendations to the 2025 Legislature. As set out in the March 30, 2025 Civil Beat article outlining its discussion with members of the Commission, the Commission received a lot of oral and written public testimony and presentations during its 14 hearings and addressed many issues, including recruitment and retention, in arriving at its final report.
Based on the extensive work in conducting its hearings, and as the majority of the Senate accepts the Report and Recommendations of the Commission, the Senate will not schedule hearings on SCR 36."
(TRANSLATION: "What Hanabusa said.")
Hawai‘i House of Representatives Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura
"The House of Representatives expresses its appreciation to the 2024 Salary Commission for their final report and recommendations that reflect a reasoned approach, grounded in evidence gathered over the last four months. The Commission analyzed the work of prior Commissions, the scope of responsibilities, comparable compensation in other jurisdictions, and the evolving economic landscape. Over the course of 14 meetings, exceeding 30 hours, the Commission reviewed oral and written testimony from both public citizens and government officials and adjusted their recommendations accordingly. Given the ample opportunities for public engagement, the House did not hear HCR83, and the deadline to approve concurrent resolutions has passed."
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Statement from Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald on the Commission on Salaries
News Release from Hawaii Judiciary, Apr 8, 2025
On behalf of the Judiciary, I express our appreciation to the 2025 Commission on Salaries for its thorough work that resulted in appropriate recommendations.
The Commission performed its constitutional charge over four months, over the course of fourteen public meetings totaling over thirty hours, all under Hawaiʻi’s sunshine laws. In addition to public testimony, the Commission reviewed hundreds of pages of materials and adjusted draft recommendations multiple times in response to comments and circumstances.
Each branch of state government advised the Commission of the challenges it was facing. The Judiciary expressed primary concerns over recruitment and retention. Circuit court judges’ salaries are currently 47th in the nation when adjusted for cost-of-living. Since 2019, applications for judicial office overall are down, applications from women are down, and applications from the private sector are down.
Hawaiʻi must also continue to attract highly qualified individuals in the legislative and executive branches. Hawaiʻi’s legislators work year-round on policy and budgetary matters. They are continually in contact with colleagues at the Capitol, with constituents, with the Judiciary, agencies, and organizations, and with counterparts in other jurisdictions. Our Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Cabinet members craft and execute state policies that significantly impact our communities, public health, public safety, education, environment, economy, and more.
I thank each of the Commission members for their diligence and hard work.
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COVERAGE:
SCR36: Text, Status
HCR83: Text, Status