HAWAIʻI SENATE MAJORITY OUTLINES PRIORITIES FOR THE UPCOMING 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
(CLUE: No mention of tax increases in this Senate announcement.)
News Release from Senate Democratic Caucus, Jan 14, 2026
HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI – The Hawai’i Senate Majority today announced its 2026 legislative priorities in advance of the Hawai’i State Legislature’s Opening Day on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
"As Hawai’i continues to face rising costs and economic uncertainty, the Hawai’i Senate Majority is advancing a legislative agenda centered on affordability, resilience, and equity,” said Senate Majority Leader Dru Mamo Kanuha (District 3 - Kona, Ka’u, and Volcano). “These priorities reflect our responsibility to protect essential services, support working families, and ensure a sustainable future for our State.”
The Hawai’i Senate Majority has identified the following priorities as areas of focus for this year:
Housing and Affordability
Housing and affordability remain a key priority for the Senate. The Senate remains committed to addressing the state’s housing crisis by advancing proposals that expand the supply of affordable housing through streamlined development processes. These efforts include providing financial subsidies, tax credits, and general excise tax (GET) exemptions, as well as supporting workforce housing, the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL), and homeownership programs.
The Senate will pursue measures to make homeownership assistance programs more accessible and attractive to prospective buyers, while strengthening the authority and resources of the Hawai’i Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) and the Hawai’i Public Housing Authority (HPHA), including support for staff recruitment and retention. These efforts will be complemented by initiatives to convert underutilized commercial properties into housing, modernize the landlord-tenant code, strengthen housing finance tools, and establish fast-revolving funds to accelerate housing production statewide.
Additionally, the Senate will focus on providing financial relief to residents from rising property insurance and maintenance costs affecting high-rise condominium owners. The Senate will also work to establish intergovernmental state-county coordination of housing incentives and reports regarding available housing for Hawai’i’s local workforce.
Workforce Development and Economic Diversification
The Senate will prioritize investments in workforce development initiatives that strengthen education-to-career pathways and align training with current and emerging workforce needs. These efforts include supporting education and industry partnerships, expanding career and technical education (CTE) pathways, and advancing teacher recruitment and retention programs to ensure a strong and sustainable talent pipeline across sectors.
The Senate will also consider policies that support economic diversification, including Enterprise Zone expansion, advanced manufacturing, and technology-driven industries. The Senate will also prioritize regional economic development initiatives and small business procurement programs to foster local entrepreneurship, expand economic opportunities, and create jobs statewide.
Health Care and Public Safety
The Senate will examine policies to safeguard health care and public safety services, including mitigating the impacts of federal funding reductions to programs such as Med-QUEST and emergency management funding through Federal Emergency Management Agency and Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency. The Senate will prioritize supporting provider recruitment and retention efforts, exploring a medical residency program on Maui, and expanding telemedicine services in rural areas. The Senate will also support the development of a health care technology enterprise program to attract research funding and innovation.
In addition, the Senate will address shortages in law enforcement and first responder personnel through recruitment, retention, and streamlined hiring processes, invest in public safety infrastructure and emergency response capabilities, and consider measures to address serious firearm-related offenses.
Education and Higher Education
The Senate remains committed to increased funding for K–12 and higher education to improve academic achievement and provide continued support for early learning opportunities. The Senate will support policies to provide optimal learning environments, ensure access to nutritious school meals through expansion of the Hawai’i Farm to School Initiative, and maintain school facilities to reduce deferred maintenance and improve campus safety and functionality. The Senate will also work to mitigate the impacts of federal funding reductions affecting early education, K–12, higher education, and special education programs.
To enhance student engagement and workforce readiness, the Senate will support curriculum and partnerships with local businesses and community organizations that connect education to real-world career opportunities. The Senate will also advance initiatives to strengthen teacher pathways beginning in middle and high school, and support teacher recruitment, retention, and professional development. In higher education, the Senate will consider policies related to name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for University of Hawai’i (UH) student-athletes, explore ways to improve student housing, and evaluate potential reforms to the structure and governance of the UH system.
Food Security, Agriculture and Environment
The Senate will prioritize strengthening food security by supporting farm-to-table programs, maintaining access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and providing continued support for food banks statewide. The Senate will also advance measures to enhance biosecurity, improve agricultural infrastructure, and strengthen transportation systems that support local food production and distribution.
To support Hawai’i’s agricultural sector and increase local food production, the Senate will promote workforce recruitment initiatives for young farmers and support policies that strengthen agricultural viability and sustainability. The Senate will also support policies that advance circular economy practices and promote healthy soil initiatives.
In addition, the Senate will explore measures to promote climate resilience and adaptation, including sea-level rise mitigation and nature-based coastal solutions. It will also consider reforms to the functions and structure of the Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) and will incentivize increased redemption of the HI-5 program to strengthen recycling efforts and reduce waste.
Infrastructure, Transportation, and Community Support
The Senate remains committed to improving the state’s transportation systems, including highways, airports, and airline connectivity, to support economic activity, mobility, and public safety. It will also prioritize increasing transportation support for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) households to improve access to jobs, education, and essential services. In addition, the Senate will support transit-oriented development initiatives aimed at reducing transportation costs and improving traffic safety.
The Senate will also continue to prioritize social services and community support by expanding outreach and housing assistance for vulnerable populations, including houseless individuals, kūpuna, and those living with mental illness. These efforts will leverage federal resources, such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) surplus, and foster collaborative partnerships among government agencies, nonprofits, foundations, and ʻohana groups to develop neighborhood-level support systems for houseless residents, those near financial breakpoint, at risk from severe weather, or with limited mobility.
Government Reform and Operations
The Senate will continue exploring ways to improve transparency and efficiency in government operations, including insurance regulation, state hiring, energy governance, and oversight of agricultural and aquaculture programs. It will also review the roles and responsibilities of agencies involved in Mauna Kea stewardship and resource enforcement, seeking clarity and coordination in management.
Additionally, the Senate will consider policies related to naming rights for state facilities, evaluating approaches that balance public benefit, operational needs, and potential partnerships with private or nonprofit entities.
"The Hawai’i Senate Majority’s legislative priorities for 2026 reflect a collective vision grounded in affordability, opportunity, shared responsibility, and trust in our democratic process,” said Senate Majority Leader Kanuha. “We encourage people across Hawai’i to take part in the legislative process and help guide the work ahead.”
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HOUSE MAJORITY OUTLINES TOP PRIORITIES FOR 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
(CLUE: 'Enhancing tax revenue’ means increasing your taxes. See below.)
News Release from Hawai'i House Democrats, Jan 14, 2026
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The Hawaiʻi State Legislature will convene in regular session on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, marking the second year of the 33rd Legislature. As the legislative session begins, the House Majority Caucus has outlined its top priorities for the upcoming year.
“The House Majority Caucus is focused on strengthening the services and programs that support our local families,” said House Majority Leader Sean Quinlan (D-47 Waialua, Hale‘iwa, Kawailoa Beach, Waimea, Sunset Beach, Waiale‘e, Kawela Bay, Kahuku, Lā‘ie, Hau‘ula, Punalu‘u, Kahana). “Amid ongoing federal uncertainty, our priorities include expanding affordable housing, supporting Native Hawaiian families, ensuring essential social services remain uninterrupted, addressing workforce shortages, and responsibly strengthening the state’s revenue base. Through economic diversification and long-term planning, we are working to ensure Hawaiʻi is prepared to meet both current challenges and future needs.”
The House Majority Caucus, comprised of 42 House Democrats, has identified the following areas as its legislative priorities for 2026:
Building More Housing for Local Residents
Hawaiʻi continues to face a critical housing shortage that impacts local families across the state. The House Majority remains committed to expanding affordable housing opportunities through a range of strategies, including encouraging mixed-income developments, increasing housing supply in transit-oriented development areas, and identifying ways to streamline regulatory processes in coordination with the counties. These efforts are aimed at delivering more affordable rental and for-sale housing options for low- and moderate-income residents, while ensuring that growth is thoughtful and responsive to community needs.
Supporting Native Hawaiians
The House Majority remains committed to advancing policies that support Native Hawaiian families and communities. Lawmakers will continue working closely with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to identify sustainable funding solutions and strengthen long-term planning efforts. In addition, the House will maintain oversight of the $600 million allocated through Act 279 to deliver housing for native Hawaiians on the waitlist, with the goal of ensuring these resources are used efficiently and effectively to benefit as many families as possible.
Preserving the Social Safety Net
Investing in social services remains a priority as the House Majority works to support local residents and improve quality of life for Hawaiʻi's neediest families. Lawmakers will focus on maintaining uninterrupted services amid ongoing federal funding uncertainties, addressing rising costs, and ensuring vulnerable populations continue to receive food, housing, and medical care. Strengthening coordination across state programs and creating opportunities to meet new federal work, training, or volunteer requirements will be key components of this effort.
Expanding Workforce Development and Retention Programs
Addressing workforce shortages within state government is critical to maintaining essential services for Hawaiʻi’s residents. The House Majority will explore strategies to retain experienced public workers as retirements increase, while also identifying pathways to attract and recruit the next generation of public servants. Efforts will include strengthening internship and training opportunities, connecting students to career pathways, and improving recruitment processes to fill longstanding vacancies.
Enhancing Tax Revenue
As ongoing changes at the federal level may continue to affect state resources, the House Majority will closely monitor potential funding impacts to the state budget. Lawmakers will evaluate responsible revenue strategies to ensure Hawaiʻi can continue to fund essential services and meet the needs of its residents.
Diversifying and Strengthening Hawaiʻi’s Economy
While tourism has long been a driving force of Hawaiʻi’s economy, the House Majority recognizes the need to strengthen economic resilience through diversification. By exploring partnerships and making strategic investments, including targeted tax incentives, the House Majority aims to support emerging and growing industries that promote innovation, manufacturing, exports, and other sectors capable of providing long-term economic stability and high-paying jobs for local residents.
For more information on the House Majority, visit www.hawaiihousedemocrats.com
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BIN: Hawai‘i Senate leaders announce priorities for this legislative session : Big Island Now
KHON: Quick guide for Hawaiʻi's 2026 Legislative priorities