Hawaii legislators approve approximately 250 pieces of legislation
The state legislature threw its final vote on around 250 bills this week, with plenty of fireworks – both real and metaphorical – going off during the marathon voting sessions. Among the proposals that made it through are measures tackling everything from illegal fireworks to catastrophic wildfire prevention, all while keeping an eye on the looming shadow of a potential economic downturn thanks to federal government policies.
Senate President Ron Kouchi gave the Senate a less-than-stellar grade of "incomplete", foreshadowing the need for a special session before 2026 to address changes in the state fiscal landscape potentially triggered by federal funding cutbacks, tariffs, and other federal policies emanating from the Trump administration.
One of the key issues that surfaced during the voting proved to be a tough pill to swallow: a gun-control measure that aimed to ban the transfer, sale, and importation of assault rifles, shotguns, and .50 caliber firearms. Despite a compromise agreement, the proposal was shot down by the slim margin of one vote, but floor amendments have been proposed to give it new life before the session concludes.
If signed into law, the budget bill leaves the state general fund with a projected balance of $756 million at the end of the next fiscal year. But Hotaru Park, representative for the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, warns that this amount is susceptible to change should Hawaii's economy take a hit or federal funding cuts target state programs.
High-priority issues in the budget include cracking down on the importation and use of illegal fireworks in an effort to prevent future tragedies like the January 1, 2025, fireworks explosion in Aliamanu that took six lives and left dozens injured.
The state budget also includes substantial funding for affordable housing and nonprofits impacted by federal funding cuts. Additionally, a bill passed Wednesday would increase and expand the state's hotel room tax, with some of the additional revenue earmarked for natural resource management, climate-related disaster mitigation, and tourism impact alleviation efforts.
"We know that our environment is our economy," said House Speaker Nadine Nakamura, who awarded the House an "A" grade for the quantity and quality of bills passed this session. "This has been an incredible first-year experience," she added proudly after the nearly 7-hour House floor session.
While a few bills failed to pass, one notable success story was HB 969, which prevents a landfill from being built over an aquifer. Despite opposition from the city and the state Department of Health, the measure passed and will help ensure that the Nanakuli landfill stays open past its closure deadline.
As the session draws to a close, it's clear that the state of Hawaii is gearing up to face a multitude of challenges on various fronts – from addressing safety concerns and budgetary constraints to navigating the murky waters of federal funding cutbacks and environmental protection. It's a stormy horizon, but it's one that Hawaii's policymakers are determined to weather with grace and resilience.
- The Senate, with a less-than-stellar grade, signaled the need for a special session before 2026 to address changes in the state's fiscal landscape, possibly due to federal funding cutbacks, tariffs, and other federal policies.
- The budget bill, if signed into law, leaves the state general fund with a projected balance of $756 million at the end of the next fiscal year, but it may not remain stable should Hawaii's economy take a hit or federal funding cuts target state programs.
- Among the high-priority issues in the budget is cracking down on the importation and use of illegal fireworks, a move aimed at preventing future tragedies like the January 1, 2025, fireworks explosion in Aliamanu.
- The state budget includes funding for affordable housing and nonprofits impacted by federal funding cuts, and a bill passed Wednesday increases and expands the state's hotel room tax, with some of the additional revenue earmarked for natural resource management, climate-related disaster mitigation, and tourism impact alleviation efforts.
- One notable success story was HB 969, which prevents a landfill from being built over an aquifer, helping to ensure that the Nanakuli landfill stays open past its closure deadline despite opposition from the city and the state Department of Health.
- House Speaker Nadine Nakamura awarded the House an "A" grade for the quantity and quality of bills passed this session, highlighting the strong focus on issues like environmental protection, health, and tourism in the general news.


