A NEW YEAR BRINGS THE START OF A NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

ADD TO THAT, A NEWLY ELECTED GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, ALONG WITH SEVERAL FIRST‑TIME LAWMAKERS.

BUT DESPITE THE OVERALL FRESH START, HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SOLVE STUBBORN, LINGERING ISSUES THAT PLAGUE THE STATE.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT’S ON THE UPCOMING AGENDA AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

TONIGHT’S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

¶¶ ¶¶ ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

I'M DARYL HUFF.

NEXT WEDNESDAY IS OPENING DAY AT THE CAPITOL FOR THE 32ND STATE LEGISLATURE WITH 25 SENATORS AND 51 MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

EVERY SEAT WAS UP FOR RE‑ELECTION LAST YEAR DUE TO REAPPORTIONMENT.

HAWAII RESIDENTS VOTED IN A LARGE CLASS OF ROOKIES.

AND WHILE REPUBLICANS PICKED UP A FEW SEATS, DEMOCRATS ARE STILL THE VASTLY DOMINANT PARTY.

THE BEHIND THE SCENES WORK IS ALREADY HAPPENING.

OUR PANEL TONIGHT WILL DISCUSS THE TOP ISSUES LAWMAKERS WILL FACE AND HOW THEIR WORK CAN BETTER THE LIVES OF HAWAII RESIDENTS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS AND YOU’LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE NADINE NAKAMURA IS THE MAJORITY LEADER IN THE HOUSE.

BORN AND RAISED IN HAWAII, SHE REPRESENTS DISTRICT 15 WHICH ENCOMPASSES SEVERAL KAUAI TOWNS INCLUDING HANALEI, ANAHOLA, KAPAA AND WAILUA.

BLAZE LOVELL IS A REPORTER WITH HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT AND HAS BEEN COVERING THE CAPITOL FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

HE STUDIED JOURNALISM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS AND IS A PROUD PEARL CITY CHARGER.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENATIVE LAUREN CHEAPE MATSUMOTO IS THE MINORITY LEADER IN THE HOUSE, REPRESENTING DISTRICT 38 WHICH COVERS PORTIONS OF MILILANI, WAIPIO ACRES AND MILILANI MAUKA.

SHE ALSO ONCE SERVED THE STATE AS MISS HAWAII.

HEATHER FERGUSON IS THE DIRECTOR OF STATE OPERATIONS FOR COMMON CAUSE, A NONPARTISAN, GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS TO PROTECT THE POLITICAL PROCESS THROUGH GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND EQUAL RIGHTS.

HEATHER FLEW IN FROM NEW MEXICO TO PARTICIPATE IN TONIGHT’S PROGRAM.

AND DEMOCRATIC SENATOR CHRIS LEE IS THE ASSISTANT MAJORITY WHIP.

HE REPRESENTS CONSTITUENTS IN DISTRICT 25, WHICH INCLUDES KAILUA, WAIMANALO AND HAWAII KAI.

THIS SESSION HE IS ALSO THE CHAIR OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND CULTURE AND THE ARTS COMMITTEE.

START OFF BLAZE LOVELL.

WHAT DO YOU SEE IS BEING MAJOR THEME OF THIS LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR?

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO REALLY REMEMBER FROM THIS LEGISLATURE?

>> HARD TO TELL.

HASN'T STARTED YET.

EVERY YEAR, THE LAWMAKERS, GOVERNOR, COME IN, THEY TELL US ALL PRIORITIES BUT AS YOU KNOW, COVERING BUILDING, YOU KNOW, NUMBER OF YEARS, EVERYTHING CHANGES BY THE END.

I CAN TELL YOU COUPLE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO COME UP AT THE START.

HOUSING AGAIN PROBABLY GOING TO DOMINATE THE AGENDA EARLY ON.

HOW DO YOU BUILD MORE OF IT.

HOW DO YOU FUND INFRASTRUCTURE TO START BUILDING MORE OF IT.

AND I DO THINK HOMELESSNESS IS GOING TO BE ALSO TOP OF THE AGENDA.

ESPECIALLY SINCE THAT WAS SUCH A FOCUS OF OUR NEW GOVERNOR'S CAMPAIGN WHEN HE WAS RUNNING LAST YEAR.

>>Daryl: SENATOR CHRIS LEE, YOU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE NEW GREEN ADMINISTRATION'S, GREEN ADMINISTRATION, BECAUSE IT'S GREEN.

HOW DOES IT LOOK SO FAR THAT THE COMING IN, DO YOU SEE THAT BEING CONFLICTS OVER APPOINTMENTS AND IN OTHER ISSUES BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE?

>> YEAH, DISCUSSIONS HAVE ALREADY STARTED.

GOVERNOR I THINK EARLY ON BACK IN NOVEMBER, ANNOUNCED FIRST APPOINTEES.

COUPLE OF TRAUNCHES OF THAT NOW.

APPOINTEES FIRST TIME COMING BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE TALK ABOUT WHAT THE PRIORITIES ARE.

NEW ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT THEY WANT TO CHANGE.

WE'LL HAVE GO THROUGH THAT, VET NOT JUST THE SENATE APPOINTEES BUT THE HOUSE ALSO FOR THE BUDGET AND AND DEPARTMENT WHAT THOSE PRIORITIES ARE AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>>Daryl: YOU TALKED ABOUT TO US ABOUT ETHICS REFORM.

FRONT AND CENTER THIS YEAR FOR US 7 REPRESENTATIVES GO PRISON FOR BRIBERY AND A LOT OF BRIBERIES SCANDALS.

WHAT KIND OF THINGS DO YOU THINK HAWAII NEEDS TO CONCENTRATE ON IN TERMS OF ETHICS REFORM?

WHAT I CAN SEE SOME OF THE WORK I'VE BEEN DOING WITH SOME FOLKS IN HAWAII, STATE IS AT A REALLY CRITICAL JUNCTURE RIGHT NOW IN HAVING OPPORTUNITY IS TO REBUILD PUBLIC TRUST.

EVERY ONE TIME WAIMANALO GULCH THESE PROFILE CORRUPTION FRAUD, BRIBERY, COMES UP IN THE PRESS PUBLIC TRUST ERODED ONCE MORE.

ONE MORE HOLE THEY WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE.

HIGH PROFILE CASES DOMINATE NEWS CAN PERSISTLY ERODE.

COMMISSION TO IMPROVE THE STANDARDS OF CONDUCTED ISSUE REPORT.

31 RECOMMENDATIONS.

ADDRESS ISSUES OF FRAUD, CORRUPTION, HIGHER PENALTY, AND I THINK I HOPE THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO GIVE A LOT OF THESE DEEP CONSIDERATION.

>>Daryl: SOME OF THOSE ISSUES LATER.

LAUREN CHEAPE MATSUMOTO, ARE BEING LEADER CONGRATULATIONS ON QUITE A LOT OF GROWTH IN YOUR CAUCUS.

>> THANK YOU.

>>Daryl: STILL MIGHTY MINORITY.

WHAT DO YOU SEE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS HAPPENING THIS YEAR AND YOU TALK ABOUT POLITICS AS WELL AS ISSUES.

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY INTERESTING.

ALMOST A THIRD OF THE HOUSE IS BRAND NEW.

A LOT OF THAT UNKNOWN BUT WHAT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR, WHAT WE PUT INTO OUR ARE BEING BILL PACKAGE IS REALLY COMBATING THE COST OF LIVING.

REALLY ASSISTING FAMILIES TOWARDS HOMEOWNERSHIP.

TALKED ABOUT CORRUPTION.

SO GOVERNMENT REFORM IS GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT.

PROTECTING RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS TO CHOOSE FOR THEIR FAMILIES CRIME HUGE ISSUE.

TOUGH ON CRIME, FOCUSED ON REHABILITATION.

>> THINK THOSE ARE SOME REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS WE NEED TO BRING IN THE SESSION.

>>Daryl: MAJORITY LEAD UNDER STATE HOUSE.

CONGRATULATIONS.

I GUESS.

STATE HOUSE, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE ISSUES ARE GOING TO BE THAT YOU FOLKS TAKE ON.

>> WHAT EVERYONE AROUND THIS TABLE TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, TOP OF MIND.

FOR EVERYONE.

LAST YEAR, WE PUT IN OVER CLOSE TO A BILLION DOLLARS OF HOUSINGEL.

WE CAN'T STOP THERE.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN RENTAL HOUSING AND FOR SALE HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO THAT SOMETHING THAT WE DEFINITELY WANT TO WORK ON.

CONTINUE TO INVEST IN.

TOP OF MIND FOR ME OF THE MEMBERS AT THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS, IS THE NEED TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH THROUGHOUT OUR STATE.

NUMBER BILLS COMING OUT CAUCUS RELATING TO THAT AND HOW DO WE SUPPORT YOUTH AND ADULTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING ESPECIALLY THIS CAME OUT DURING THE PANDEMIC AND I THINK IT'S STILL PLAYING OUT.

COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

AND JUST PICKING THE OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE WE HAVE SURPLUS THIS YEAR, TO THINK ABOUT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN HELP TO SUPPORT SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT, YOU KNOW, TAKING CARE OF OUR COMMUNITY, OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, OUR RESOURCES, THAT IT WILL TAKE CARE OF US.

>>Daryl: BLAZE LOVELL, BROUGHT UP THE SURPLUS.

DURING THE CAMPAIGN, GOVERNOR GREEN WAS PUSHING PRETTY DRAMATIC TAX REFORM TO REALLY CUT INTO THE AMOUNT OF TAXES.

HOW IS THAT ISSUE STARTING TO PLAY OUT NOW?

>> DEFINITELY GOING TO BE A SURPLUS I THINK GREEN'S BUDGET PROJECTS $2.6 BILLION.

END OF NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

BUT GIVEN THAT, SO.

CONCERN I'VE HEARD FROM SOME LAWMAKERS IS THAT ONE, HAWAII GOING TO BE LOSING A LOT OF FEDERAL FUNDS.

THAT IT GOT FROM COVID‑19 RELIEF PACKAGES.

SO IT'S GOING TO EAT INTO SOME.

ANOTHER IS WHILE YOU KNOW, UNIVERSITY IS SAYING THAT EVEN THOUGH HAWAII IS GOING TO STAY MOSTLY STABLE, EVEN THOUGH REST OF THE U.S.

GOES INTO RECESSION, THERE MIGHT BE SOME HEAD WIND.

YOU KNOW, I'M SAYING ALL OF THAT TO SAY YOU MIGHT NOT SEE AS BIG OF A SPENDING PACKAGE THIS YEAR AS IT LAST YEAR DURING ELECTION YEAR.

SOME OF THOSE PROPOSALS FROM THE GOVERNOR ALSO I BELIEVE, GETTING SOME HEAD WINDS, THAT PROPOSAL TO ELIMINATE GENERAL EXCISE TAX ON FOOD MEDICINE INTENDED TO HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE LOWER INCOME, GOT PUSH BACK FROM HOUSE SPEAKER AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT.

ONE OF THE STAR ADVERTISERS POUR COLD WATCH.

ONE OF THE ISSUES IS THAT I THINK LAWMAKERS MIGHT BE RELUCTANT TO TOUCH THE IT G.E.T.

BECAUSE IT MAKES UP SUCH A BIG BUCKET OF THE STATE'S TAX REVENUES USE TO FUND OTHER PROGRAMS.

I THINK TRY TO WORK WITH THEM AND FIND A MORE TARGETED APPROACH THE WAY HE PUT IT.

>>Daryl: LAUREN CHEAPE MATSUMOTO ON THAT QUESTION, WILL YOU FOLKS ARE BEING CAUCUS PUSH FOR TAX REFORM RELIEF FOR EVERYBODY OR JUST TARGETED SPECIFIC INCOME LEVELS?

>> WE DO HAVE A BILL ALSO TO ELIMINATE THE G.E.T.

ON FOOD AND MEDICAL SERVICE.

BILL WE PUT IN FOR DECADES.

>> SOMETHING MAJORITY OF THE REST OF THE COUNTRY DOES.

IT'S NOT THIS RESOLUTIONRY IDEA.

IT'S WHAT THE MAJORITY OF COUNTRY DOES.

CALIFORNIA DOESN'T HAVE A TAX ON THEIR FEED.

SAYING SOMETHING.

AND OTHER THING WE'RE LOOKING AT DOING IS PROPOSAL OF ELIMINATING THE INCOME TAX.

THAT SOUNDS CRAZY AND SHOCKING PROBABLY TO A LOT OFPEOPLE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT, THE AVERAGE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS $83,000.

IF YOU WERE ELIMINATE THE INCOME TAX, THAT WOULD BE ALMOST $15,000 A YEAR THAT WOULD BE BACK IN THEIR POCKETS.

I THINK WE'RE TALKING ABOUT COST OF LIVING AND HAVING THIS MASS EXODUS OF PEOPLE, LOSS 7,000 PEOPLE IN THE LAST YEAR.

HOW DO WE HELP ADDRESS COST WAS LIVING?

MINIMUM WAGE PASSED LAST YEAR.

STILL PEOPLE ARE SAYING IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

LOOKING AT THAT REFORM.

>>Daryl: SENATORS LEE, DID YOU SEE ANY TRACTION FOR SIGNIFICANT TAX RELIEF THIS YEAR?

>> I THINK THIS IS THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY WE'VE HAD WITH NEW GOVERNOR TO TRY THINGS.

LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY THAN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

COMING OUT OF PANDEMIC WHICH SCREWED UP I THINK THE PLAYBOOK FOR EVERYBODY.

FOR WHAT'S POSSIBLE.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS OPPOSED TO CONSIDERING ALL OF THESE THINGS.

IS SUPPORTS I THINK THE IDEA OF EASIER ACCESS TO FOOD.

MEDICINE.

ALL OF THESE THINGS.

>> WE HAVE TO IT SMART WAY.

WE ARE UNIQUE STATE IF THAT WE CAN'T JUST TAKE A MAINLAND PLAYBOOK AND SAY, WE WANT TO CUT TAXES HERE PROVIDE A PROGRAM HERE.

HERE, WE DEPEND ON TOURISM COME IN FOR A LOT OF THAT REVENUE.

G.E.T.

FOR EXAMPLE BRINGS IN HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE AS LOCAL RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE TO PAY.

TOURISTS ARE FUNDING ABOUT 30% PLUS OF THE MONEY THAT GOES TO PAY FOR OUR SCHOOLS AND ROADS AND FRANKLY, SUBSIDIES FOR HOUSING FOOD AND OTHER THINGS PROVIDED TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

I THINK TO LAUREN'S POINT, ABSOLUTELY, TO THE OTHERS, ABSOLUTE I THINK ROOM TO DISCUSS HOW TO DO THIS RIGHT BUT IT'S GOT TO BE DONE RIGHT.

WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT HOW BEST TARGET THOSE BENEFITS TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT MOST.

>>Daryl: IN THE HOUSE, YOU HAVE I POSITION?

FEELS LIKE WHAT THE SURPLUS I MEAN, DOESN'T IT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN WE'RE OVERTAXED?

>> DIFFERENT REASONS WHY WE HAVE THE SURPLUS.

ECONOMY HAS BEEN PICK UP.

BEEN FEWER VISITORS, PAYING A LOT MORE.

PER VISITOR.

AND WE STILL, BLAZE MENTIONED EARLIER, SOME OF THE IMPACTS FROM THE FEDERAL FUNDING THAT TRICKLING THROUGH.

BUT WE DO BELIEVE THAT THE 30, JUST LIKE WHAT SENATOR LEE SAID, WE, G.E.T.

IS VERY EFFECTIVE IN GETTING TOURISM TAXES.

30%.

SO DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO SAY, WE WANT TO TAX VISITORS?

WHEN WE ALREADY HAVE A TAX DOING THAT VERY EFFICIENTLY.

SO WE DO BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME TAX RELIEF FOR TARGETED LOW AND MODERATE INCOME PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THIS REGRESSIVE TAX.

>>Daryl: LET ME, TO GET HEART INVOLVED LITTLE BIT MORE, IN OUR DISCUSSION, THIS ISSUE ABOUT TRUST AND GOVERNMENT, I MEAN, LIST OF ETHICS REFORMS HAS BEEN PROPOSED, IS THERE ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR YOU THINK WOULD BE PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE THAT MAY BE YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH?

>> I THINK THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL PIECES OF REFORM.

THINKING IN TERMS OF HOW DIFFERENT PIECES IMPACT THE BUDGET OR IMPACT STATE SPENDING, THAT DOES GO RIGHT TO THE HEART PUBLIC TRUST.

THEY ARE GOING TO WANT KNOW THAT THE INDIVIDUALS THAT THEY'RE PUTTING IN OFFICE, THESE HIGH PROFILE CASES SOMEHOW ENSURING THAT MONEY IS GETTING FUNNELED TO SOMEBODY GIVEN THEM LARGE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS ISN'T ABLE TO HELP GIVE RELIEF TO LOWER MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES OUT HERE.

PUBLIC FINANCING IS ONE OF THE ISSUES I SAW RECENTLY COME UP AND COME OUT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I THINK WOULD BE GOOD.

EXPLORING DIFFERENT WAYS OF BLACKOUT PERIOD.

FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO SOLICIT CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS OR NOT BEING ABLE TO FUNDRAISE DURING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

LOOKED AT AND HELP TO SOME OF THE THINGS TO HELP REBUILD THE TRUST.

>>Daryl: DO YOU SEE.

APPETITE AT THE LEGISLATURE FOR THESE KINDS OF REFORMS?

>> I THINK THERE MIGHT BE SOME, BUT HIGHLY DOUBT HAVING ALL 31 MEASURES PASS THIS YEAR.

ALMOST NEVER HAPPENS.

YOU MIGHT EXPECT ONE OR TWO OR A HANDFUL, BUT USUALLY, AT THE LEGISLATURE, ITSEEMS WHEN THESE NEW IDEAS GET PROPOSED, USUALLY TAKES A COUPLE SESSIONS OR A COUPLE YEARS TO WORK THROUGH EVERYTHING AND EVERYBODY ON BOARD WITH THESE NEW IDEAS.

>>Daryl: SENATOR LEE,EL WHERE DO THOSE IDEAS DOES THE SENATE SEE AS VIABLE.

>> IMPORTANT TO ALREADY, HOUSE LED COMMISSION WHICH DID SOME I THINK.

>>Daryl: LAST YEAR.

>> YEAH.

WAIT AND SEE.

I THINK LARGELY, WHAT COMES OUT OF THAT, BUT I DO KNOW NOT TO SAY AREN'T OTHER THINGS SENATE IS WORKING ON AS WELL.

INDIVIDUAL SENATORS WORK ON STUFF FROM TRANSPARENCY TO ADDITIONAL PENALTIES TO PUBLIC FINANCE OF ELECTIONS ON AND ON.

WHOLE LAUNDRY LIST OF STUFF.

I WOULDN'T FOCUS ONLY ON SORT OF THESE ONLY 31 BILLS THAT WERE RECOMMENDED ON THIS COMMISSION.

A LOT OF IMPORTANT STUFF THERE.

A LOT OF BROADER UNIVERSE BECAUSE WE'RE IN THE JUST TALKING ABOUT HOW DO WE SOLVE BRIBERY HERE OR TRANSPARENCY OVER HERE.

IT'S HOW DO YOU IMPROVE GOVERNMENT AND ACCESS AND ULTIMATELY ACCOUNTABILITY OVERALL.

I IMAGINE A LOT OF DEBATE IN A SENATE AS WELL ON NUMBER OF THESE ISSUES.

AS SESSION UNFOLDS.

>>Daryl: LAUREN CHEAPE MATSUMOTO, WHAT DO YOU THINK IN TERMS OF ETHICS WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

HAD LEGISLATORS TOOK BRIBES AND TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THEIR POSITIONS.

AND KILLED BILLS ON BEHEST OF GUY WHO IS BRIBING.

IS THERE SYSTEM NEEDS TO CHANGED TO PREVENT SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENING.

>> YEAH.

SOMETHING OUR CAUCUS TAKES VERY SERIOUSLY.

WE TOOK THE 31 RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION AND ARE INTRODUCING THEM IN OUR PACKAGE.

BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS SO IMPORTANT.

TO PULL SOMETHING OUT I THINK TERM LIMITS IS SOMETHING THAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSED.

AND NOT A TERM LIMIT OF 40 YEARS OR 20 YEARS, BUT LOOKING AT 12 OR 16 YEAR TERM LIMIT.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN ASKING FOR.

SOMETHING THAT HAS SOME CHECKS AND BALANCES.

>>Daryl: FROM A PRACTICAL STANDPOINT, HOW WOULD A TERM LIMIT HAVE AFFECTED FOR EXAMPLE, SENATOR ENGLISH OR REPRESENTATIVE CULLEN'S SITUATION.

>> WHAT YOU HAVE A LOT OF, THAT TIME IN OFFICE, INCUMBENTCY, GIVES PEOPLE FALSE SENSE OF POWER.

WE HAVE THE CULTURE IN HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE, OUR CHAIRS HAVE A A LOT OF POWER.

THEY CAN DEFER BILLS WITHOUT GIVING EXPLANATION.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF THOSE LITTLE THINGS AND OVERHAUL TO THE WHOLE CULTURE IS SOMETHING THAT REALLY IMPORTANT.

I KNOW WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THE RULES AND MADE SOME HEADWAY IN THE RULES COMMITTEE.

BUT I DO THINK IT NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING THAT IS DISCUSSED AS A WHOLE.

TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PROVIDING A FAIR BALANCED AND TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT THAT PEOPLE HAVE TRUST IN.

>>Daryl: AGENDA 31 PROPOSALS ON THE HOURS, DIDN'T SPEAKER SAY, GIVE THEM ALL A HEARING?

>> YES.

THAT IS THE COMMITMENT.

WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK THE MEMBERS WHO SERVED ON THE COMMISSION.

TO IMPROVE STANDARDS OF CONDUCTS.

AND WE KNOW THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION WITHIN THE MEETINGS, THEY BROUGHT IN OUTSIDE EXPERTS.

THEY LOOKED AT FEDERAL LAWS TO BRING STATE CONSISTENCY.

TO FEDERAL LAWS.

WITH RESPECT TO FRAUD AND FINES AND SO FORTH.

SO I THERE WAS SOME GOOD THAT CAME OUT OF IT.

SOME THINGS WE HAVE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT.

28 BILLS RECOMMENDED AND THREE RESOLUTIONS.

SO THE COMMITMENT IS THAT THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WILL HEAR THOSE BILLS AND WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC TESTIMONY.

WE KNOW THAT WASN'T ONLY UNANIMOUS ON THE COMMISSION.

DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW SHARED.

I THINK THAT WOULD PLAY OUT WHEN YOU GO THROUGH THE PUBLIC PROCESS.

>> BUILD ON THAT TOO.

I THINK WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BILLS HERE.

AND EVERY TIME I WATCH INSIGHT, I'M A RELIGIOUS INSIGHTS WATCHER.

HEAR ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ISSUE.

LEGISLATURE OR THE GOVERNOR OR SOMEBODY GOING TO DO TO FIX IT COMES BACK DOWN TO ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO BETTER GOVERNMENT, IT COMES BACK DOWN TO EVERYBODY AS AVERAGE CITIZEN NOT ONLY VOTING BUT TAKING NEXT STEP TO GET INVOLVED CIVIC PROCESS.

NOTHING WE DO IS POSSIBLE UNLESS PEOPLE CHIME IN AND SAY, THIS IS IMPORTANT.

WE'RE GOING TO TESTIFY ON THIS BILL.

CALL OUR REPRESENTATIVE OR SENATOR OR GOVERNOR.

WHOEVER IT S THROUGHOUT THAT PROCESS AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO REMIND PEOPLE RIGHT NOW THAT THAT OPPORTUNITY IS COMING UP IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WHICH IS GETTING GOING.

FIRST HEARING PROBABLY IN A WEEK OR TWO.

BUT I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK THIS IS ALL HAPPENING AND WE ARE ALL THE ONES TO DECIDE IT.

ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE.

REALLY WHERE THE PUBLIC WEIGHS IN.

THAT WILL DETERMINE WHICH OF THESE THINGS AND WHICH FIXES AND REALLY WHICH PRIORITIES JUST ACROSS THE BOARD THIS YEAR, MAKE IT TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

>>Daryl: LAST QUESTION ON THIS ONE.

FOR HEATHER FERGUSON.

WHAT HAS WORKED IN OTHER PLACES THAT WE SHOULD REALLY LOOK AT OVER HERE?

>> I THINK SO.

TRANSPARENCY PROVISIONS, I AGREE SO.

PROVISIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS EVEN SAY THAT THEY WERE ASPIRATIONAL.

I'M GLAD THEY WILL BE DISCUSSED BUT THERE IS SOME PIECES THAT WE'VE SEEN USED BEST PRACTICES OTHER STATE THAT DO WORK.

>> TRANSPARENCY PIECE ENSURING THAT PUBLIC ACCESS.

ENSURING THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO ALL OF THE AGENDAS AND MATERIALS IN ADVANCE.

THAT PUBLIC IS GIVEN ADEQUATE ENOUGH TIME TO BE ABLE TO SUBMIT THE WRITTEN TESTIMONY.

I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES I KNOW ESPECIALLY NEW MEXICO HAS A 30 TO 60 DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

VERY SHORT.

SO IT GETS INTO A TIME CRUNCH WHERE YOU WANT TO TRY TO ENSURE AS MUCH TRANSPARENCY AS POSSIBLE.

BUT ALSO GET MEETING SCHEDULED SO THAT YOU CAN GET THE BILL ON THE MOVE TOO.

SO I THINK STRIKING THAT BALANCE AND THAT CORD IS IMPORTANT.

BEST PRACTICE.

AND ALSO, SOME OF THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE RECOMMENDATIONS.

>>Daryl: START TO PILING THROUGH THE QUESTIONS.

THERE'S A LOT.

POPPED RIGHT NOW, CAN STATE LAWMAKERS TO ANYTHING BILL LEGAL FIREWORKS?

VERY BAD THIS YEAR.

NADINE NAKAMURA, I'M SURE KAUAI GOES OFF.

>> YES.

>>Daryl: IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU COULD TO?

SEEMS LIKE A NIGHT OF COMPLETE ANARCHY.

>> YEAH.

THERE'S EVERY YEAR, THERE'S A SLATE OF BILLS THAT ARE INTRODUCED STUDIES, TALKING ABOUT DIFFERENT ISSUES AND CONCERNS ABOUT INSPECTING FIREWORKS AT THE HARBOR.

CONCERNS ABOUT HOW TO ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT THAT IN THE COST TO DO THAT.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ENFORCEMENT, ISSUES OF HAVING THE POLICE THERE TO ENFORCE WHEN THERE ARE OTHER MORE SERIOUS ISSUES THAT THEY ARE ATTENDING TO.

AND JUST HAVING THE SHORTAGE OF POLICE OFFICERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

I'M SURE THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF BILLS.

I KNOW FROM MY CONSTITUENTS, CONCERN HAS BEEN IMPACTS ON PETS.

AND JUSTEL DIFFICULTY THAT IT IS FOR MANY PET OWNERS.

AND SO WE COMMITTED TO LOOK UP THOSE BILLS AND IT IS A DIFFICULT PROBLEM.

AND I THINK THAT SHORTENING OF THE HOURS, BUT HAS BEEN HELPFUL.

ANY I WAS IN ALIAMANU THIS YEAR AND FIREWORKS DIDN'T START UNTIL MUCH LATER IN THE DAY.

SO THAT 9:00 TO 1:00 TIME PERIOD WAS WE WORKED I THINK, THIS YEAR.

BUT WE NEED TO KIND OF KEEP ON IT AND LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS.

>>Daryl: THIS COMES UP EVERY YEAR.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE WEAKNESSES IN THE LEGISLATIVE RESPONSE TO THIS ISSUE?

>> I WAS WATCHING THE FIREWORKS.

I MEAN, SO ONE THING, IS THAT IT'S SO ENGRAINED HERE I THINK NOW, WHERE PEOPLE JUST DO IT EVERY YEAR.

AND DON'T THINK ABOUT IT.

THERE ISN'T THAT MUCH PUBLIC PRESSURE I DON'T THINK TO GET LAW PASSED THAT WOULD, YOU KNOW, RESTRICT A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM DOING IT.

THE OTHER THING IS THAT YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A REPORT ABOUT A DECADE AGO, THAT CAME OUT THAT SORT OF DETAILED ROAD MAP FOR HOW YOU CAN GET CONTAINER INSPECTIONS WHAT POLICE CAN DO OR PROSECUTORS CAN DO.

SORT OF BECAME ONE THOSE THINGS THAT COLLECT DUST ON THE SHELF.

ON THOSE RECOMMENDATION EVERY MOVED.

I DO THINK WITHOUT THAT, MASS AMOUNT OF PUBLIC PRESSURE ON THE LEGISLATURE, NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH FIREWORKS.

DON'T REALLY SEE THAT HAPPENING.

AS YOU SAW, HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE GOING OFF ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.

>>Daryl: CRAZY.

>> EXPLOSIVE ISSUE, DARYL.

REPORT THAT BLAZE IS REFERRING TO.

I THINK 2011 ANALYSIS.

MADE A BUNCH OF RECOMMENDATIONS.

MOST OF THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE NOT YET BEEN ADOPTED OR COME TO FRUITION.

IT'S TRICKY.

I THINK TO THE POINT THAT MAJORITY LEADER MADE.

FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN YOU GO AND THINK ABOUT INSPECTIONS, IN OUR PORTS, FOR EXAMPLE, SEEMS LIKE A NO‑BRAINER.

OPERATOR TIME TABLE.

FRESH FOOD TIME NEEDS TO GET ON A TRUCK AND GET TO THE GROCERY STORE.

THOUSANDS AND THOUSAND OF CONTAINERS.

VERY DIFFICULT.

YOU COULD PUT SOMETHING IN PLACE FOR EXAMPLE, SOMEWHERE ON THE LINE AFTER THAT.

BEFORE THE CONTAINER ACTUALLY OPENED.

YOU COULD DO THOSE KINDS OF INSPECTIONS SUCCESSFULLY.

WHICH PART OF THE REPORT I THINK HIGHLIGHTED THESE THINGS HAVE NOT YET BEEN FIGURED OUT.

BUT IT'S NOT THE TO SAY THERE ISN'T ATTEMPT THIS YEAR.

ALREADY SEEN SEVERAL BILLS ON FIREWORKS.

THERE ARE IN THE HOUSE AS WELL.

TO DIVE INTO THAT.

SAME WITH INCREASED PENALTIES FOR THOSE ACTUALLY DOING SOME OF THE ILLEGAL TRAFFIC OF THEM SO FORTH.

THERE IS A LOT THAT CAN BE DONE.

WHETHER OR NOT HAVE A REAL EFFECT, THINK THE VOLUME JUST SO LARGE.

IS ANOTHER QUESTION.

BUT CERTAINLY CHANCE TO SEE.

>>Daryl: DO YOU WANT TO WEIGH IN ON THIS?

>> MY HUSBAND IS A FIREFIGHTERS.

SO THIS IS AN ISSUE NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

INTERESTING IS JUST TODAY, I GOT AN EMAIL FROM A EXISTENT.

I HAVEN'T THOUGHT THROUGH THE IDEA LONG AND HARD.

THEY SUGGESTED SINCE WE HAVE GOTTEN RID OF SPARKLERS AND FOUNTAINS SEEMS LIKE AERIALS HAVE INCREASED.

LOOK AT IT GOING BECAUSE WE'VE TAKEN IT AWAY SO PEOPLE REALLY ENJOY THAT WERE LESS DANGEROUS, LESS HARMFUL, NOT AS BAD FOR OUR PETS, WE'VE SEEN INCREASE IN AERIALS.

JUST INTERESTING LOOK AT IT THAT WE HAVEN'T REALLY TAKEN CONSIDERATION IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR THE TEN YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN THERE.

>>Daryl: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE SAW LOOKING AT THIS STORY IDEA THAT MAYBE YOU WOULD LEGALIZE LESS DANGEROUS FIREWORKS AND TAKE SOME OF THE PRESSURE OFF THE MASSIVE COMMERCIAL SCALE STUFF THAT WAS GOING OFF OVER MY HOUSE.

>> GET SOME OF THAT TAX REVENUE.

>>Daryl: SO HOMELESSNESS.

I WALKED TO WORK ALONG BERETANIA TO DOWNTOWN EVERY WEEKDAY.

I WALK PAST HOMELESS EVERY MONTH.

>> WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS TO HELP SOLVE THIS PROBLEM?

TOM BY EMAIL.

WHAT IS ON THE HOUSE AGENDA FOR HOMELESSNESS?

>> THIS IS REALLY TOP OF MIND FOR MANY OF OUR LEGISLATORS.

WE HAVE NUMBER OF BILLS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT INCLUDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR OHANA ZONES BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL.

>> HELP US DEVELOP HOUSING AND OPERATE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING SHELTERS.

>> WE NEED TO DO MORE OF THAT.

WE ALSO NEED TO DEVELOP PERMIT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

SO WE'RE NOT HAVING A LOT OF HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS.

>> PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS COMING OUT PRISON, AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE, AND WE NEED TO, INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENTAL AND PHYSICAL DISABLED RESIDENTS.

SO AS I VERY COMPLICATED SITUATION WHERE YOU NEED TO HAVE CAPITAL FUNDS, NEED ON GOING RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND YOU NEED SUPPORTIVE SERVICE.

>>Daryl: YOU MENTIONED EARLIER MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE.

LAUREN, WHERE DO YOU FEEL THAT DO YOU FEEL LIKE THAT DEMOCRACY HAVE RUN THIS STATE FAILED ON HOMELESSNESS AND WHERE IS THE FAILURE?

>> I THINK IT'S A MULTIPRONGED ISSUE.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT, MENTAL HEALTH PIECE.

WHICH AGAIN, WE'LL BE ADDRESSING IN OUR CAUCUS.

THAT COST OF LIVING PIECE.

HOUSING PIECE.

THERE'S THE DRUG USE PIECE.

I THINK AGAIN, LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE THINGS, HOLISTICALLY, BECAUSE IT IS A MULTIPRONGED ISSUE, SOMETHING WE HAVE TO CONSIDER.

BUT ALSO, CENTRAL OAHU WHERE I LIVE, NO SERVICES AT ALL.

FOR YEARS.

JUST IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, DO WE START TO HAVE SOME AID AND HELP IN THERE.

I THINK IT'S REALLY LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE UNDERLYING ISSUES AND NOT JUST HOMELESSNESS.

WHAT IS THE PATH THAT GOT US THERE?

I THINK WE CAN BE DOING SO MUCH MORE.

CHRIS LEE?

>> CRIME IN.

I THINK THIS ISN'T A POLITICAL ISSUE.

YES, DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN IN CONTROL.

STATE CONTROLLED BY REPUBLICANS AROUND THE COUNTRY, STILL HAVE HOMELESSNESS.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK WE ALL COLLECTIVELY GRAPPLE WITH.

BECAUSE FUNDAMENTALLY, ECONOMY HAS NOT KEPT UP WHICH THINK EXPECTATION FOR AMERICAN DREAM AND OUR ABILITY TO LIVE AS OUR PARENTS AND OUR GRANDPARENTS DID.

SO NOW, HERE, SENATE, ALREADY BEEN TALKING WITH PARTNERING WITH HOUSE COLLEAGUES AND ADMINISTRATION TO LOOK AT HOW DO WE ASSIST COUNTIES WITH PERMITING REFORM EXPEDITE PROJECTS.

DON'T HAVE COST INCREASES FOR HOUSING THAT DRIVES COMPLETELY OUT OF THE REACH OF MOST AVERAGE FAMILIES.

A LOT STUFF WE CAN DO LIKE THAT.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS BEEN GREAT.

PARTNERING WITH FOR EXAMPLE, HERE ON OAHU.

CITY & COUNTY ON THEIR CORE PROGRAM.

WHERE YOU ACTUALLY, DON'T JUST GO OUT AND SEE A HOMELESS PERSON, INTERVIEW THEM, SOME AID YOU MIGHT NEED, BUILD A RELATIONSHIP OVER TIME.

GO OUT NOT JUST POLICE OFFICERS, BUT WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WHERE THEY CAN TRUST YOU, UNDERSTAND YOU'RE THERE TO HELP AND THEN EVENT LIVE GET OFF THE LIST FOR PLACEMENT OR TREATMENT OR HOUSING WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE.

>>Daryl: CIVIL BEAT HAS BEEN ON THIS STORY FOR A LONG TIME.

DO YOU FOLKS SEE ANY REAL PROGRESS?

HAVE WE STARTED CUT NOTHING THIS ISSUE AT ALL?

>> IT'S HARD TO TELL LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS BECAUSE IT'S SORT OF JAMMED UP DURING THE PANDEMIC.

I WILL SAY THAT IT DOES SEEM LIKE OHANA ZONE MONEY HAS HELPED.

STATE HAS A LOT OF WORK TO DO AS LAUREN SAID ON THE TRYING TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES.

OF HOMELESSNESS.

I KNOW IT'S BEEN SUGGESTED THAT PERHAPS OHANA ZONE MONEY SORT OF BECOME A PERMANENT THING.

BECAUSE GOES OUT AS GRANTS TO VARIOUS NONPROFITS.

AND SERVICE PROVIDERS AND THEY'RE ABLE TO ESTABLISH THESE PROGRAMS THAT ARE REALLY TARGETED TO THE CERTAIN POPULATIONS THEY'RE TRYING TO SERVE.

>>Daryl: MOVE ON TO ANOTHER IT QUESTION.

FROM JASON BY EMAIL.

WHAT IS BEING DONE TO ADDRESS CRIME?

BREAKING NEWS STORY, SHOCKING HEADLINES, NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.

LAUREN CHEAPE MATSUMOTO, WHAT DO YOU FOCUS SEE THE CRIME?

IS THERE A LEGISLATIVE SOLUTION TO THIS OR IS IT ECONOMICS?

ALL TYPES OF OTHER THINGS PLAY A ROLE.

>> THINK THERE'S A LOT TO SAY.

THIS ISEN AN ISSUE HITS HOME.

I THINK JUST THREE DAYS AGO ALL SAW IN THE NEWS, 77‑YEAR‑OLD WOMAN SOMEBODY BROKE INTO THEIR HOUSE AND PUSHED HER DOWN THE STAIRS.

THAT'S MY NEIGHBOR.

I THINK WE'RE SEEING MORE AND MORE IT'S NOT JUST CRIME WE HEAR ON THE NEWS.

>> IT'S IN OUR BACKYARD.

THAT'S BEEN I'VE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR TEN YEARS NOW.

I SEND SURVEY OUT EVERY YEAR.

COST OF LIVING ALWAYS NUMBER ONE ISSUE.

AND THIS YEAR, CRIME CAME BACK AS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE.

WASN'T ON THE TOP TEN BEFORE.

SEEN THIS HUGE INCREASE IN CRIME ACROSS THE STATE AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DO NEED TO ADDRESS.

THINK IF WE LOOK FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS, MAYBE THE PAST DECADE, IN THE LEGISLATURE, MOST OF OUR LEGISLATION HAS BEEN GETTING SOFTER ON CRIME.

SO I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO, TO ENSURE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE SAFE, BUT ALSO, LOOKING AT THAT REHABILITATIVE PIECE.

>>Daryl: NADINE NAKAMURA I THINK THE HOUSE WAS ONES THAT OPPOSED PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO THE BUILDING OF ANOTHER JAIL.

AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING.

HOPES OF REFORMS IN THE BAIL SYSTEM SO ON.

WHAT DO YOU RESPOND TO WHAT LAUREN CHEAPE MATSUMOTO SAYING ABOUT THE PROGRESS HAS BEEN TO GET SOFTER ON CRIME.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

>> I THINK WHAT LAUREN ALSO SAID IS THAT WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON THE REHABILITATION PORTION.

IT'S ABOUT WHEEL MANY OF OUR JAILS AROUND THE STATE ARE SUBSTANDARD AND NEED TO BE IMPROVED.

AND EXPANDED IN SOME AREAS.

OUR OCCC, THERE IS A FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT.

THAT IS THAT DISCUSSION IS MOVING ALONG.

BUT THE PROBLEM ALSO IS THAT 50% OF THE PEOPLE WHO GO TO JAIL COME OUT AND THEN THEY RECOMMIT.

SO RECIDIVISM RATE IS VERY HIGH.

I THINK THE PLAN FOR THE NEW OCCC INCLUDES IMPROVEMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FACILITY.

NEEDED THAT WE NEED TO PREPARE OUR PRISONERS WHO COME OUT RE‑ENTER SOCIETY, EQUIP THEM AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE SUCCESSFUL WHEN THEY COME OUT.

AND THAT IS WHY WE NEED TO HAVE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR THEM.

TO LEARN THE LIFE SKILLS TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ALL OF THEIR IDs.

TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THEY CAN GET INTO WELFARE SYSTEM AND GETS BACK ON THE THEIR FEET, THAT HAPPENS.

>>Daryl: SOME PEOPLE ARGUED.

SOME OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARGUE THIS.

WHEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TEND TO UNDERSTAFF AND ALSO TENDENCY TO OVERSTATE CRIME BECAUSE IT'S ON MEDIA ALL THE TIME.

MAYBE IT'S NOT AS BAD.

BUT LAUREN, SAYS SHE'S GOT DATA THAT SAYS PEOPLE FEEL THIS WAY.

IS CRIME DO YOU THINK THEY NEED TO PUT IT HIGH ON AGENDA, AT THE LEGISLATURE?

>> IN NORMAL YEARS I THINK SOMETIMES MEDIA CAN OVERBELOW CRIME.

THIS YEAR, NATIONAL CRIME IS ON THE RISE DATA SHOWS THAT.

I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP POLICE.

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT LEGISLATING THE PROBLEM IS YOU KNOW, MAY BE SOME SOLUTIONS IN THERE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT'S ONLY SOLUTION.

ONE ISSUE IS THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

HAD A REPORT FEW YEARS AGO.

THAT HPD CLOSURE RATE ON VIOLENT CRIME WAS ABOUT 5 AND 15%.

THAT'S BELOW NATIONAL AVERAGE.

IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE COMMITTING CRIMES, YOU KNOW, KNOW THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET CHARGED WITH ANYTHING, BECAUSE CLOSURE RATE SO LOW, THAT MAY BE CONTRIBUTING TOO.

>>Daryl: SENATOR LEE, ONE OF THINGS THAT OFTEN COMES UP WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CRIME, IS THAT'S A COUNTY PROBLEM FOR THE MOST PART.

UNDERFUNDED POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

COUNTIES ARE NOT GOOD FINANCIAL SHAPE AS STATE IS.

THEY WILL BE COMING MARCH TO GO YOU AND ASKING FOR MORE MONEY.

DO YOU SEE THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE IS SOMETHING WHERE YOU COULD HELP OUT THE COUNTIES A LITTLE BIT MORE?

>> I THINK THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES THERE.

COST US ABOUT $220 PER PERSON PER DAY TO HOUSE SOMEBODY.

IN PRISON.

>> YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ARRESTED AND THEY END UP SPENDING WEEKS, SOMETIMES, LONGER MONTHS.

BEFORE THEY EVER GET TO TRIAL.

IF THEY CAN'T AFFORD BAIL, THEY'RE HELD IN PRISON AND WE'RE PAYING POUR THAT AS TAXPAYORS.

$220 PER PERSON PER DAY.

YOU MULTIPLY THAT OUT.

TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WE'RE SPENDING TO HOUSE PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME.

SOME OF THEM FOR SURE, WILL.

>> NO QUESTION.

SOME OF THEM WON'T.

AND SO THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO WE BETTER REDEPLOY THAT MONEY?

ALL THE TIME PEOPLE ARE IN THERE NOT WORKING, LOSING THEIR JOBS, FAMILIES FALLING APART, DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO RETURN TO LIFE AS NORMAL.

SO YOU'RE SORT OF PUSHING THEM INTO A PLACE WHERE THE ONLY OPTION IS TO COMMIT MORE CRIME.

INSTEAD USING THAT MONEY TO HOUSE SOMEBODY, PUT THAT INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

YOU COULD HAVE MORE OFFICERS ACTUALLY ON THE STREET.

SOLVING REAL CRIME NEED TO BE SOLVED.

>>Daryl: WHY ARE THEY BACKED YOU UP IN A JAIL?

NOT ENOUGH COURTS?

WHY ARE THEY BACKED UP IN THE JAIL.

>> NUMBER OF REPORTS ANALYSES LOOKING AT THIS, OFTEN, THE VERY SYSTEM, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE AFFORD TO PAY BAIL.

EVEN IF IT'S 50 BUCKS OR 100 BUCKS TO GET OUT TO GO RETURN TO NORMAL LIFE UNTIL YOUR TRIAL.

OFTEN PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD THAT.

SO YOU HAVE A HUGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE NO OTHER OPTION.

IN SOME CASE.

JUST STUCK THERE.

WHY PART OF THIS DISCUSSION WITH THE COUNTY SHOULD BE HOW ARE WE SPENDING RESOURCES WE HAVE, DO WE SPEND IT HOUSING PEOPLE?

SPEND IT HIRING MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS?

LEGISLATURE PAST YEAR, JUST CREATED A NEW DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENTER CONSOLIDATING SOME OF THE EFFORTS TO BETTER GO AFTER NARCOTICS AND INTERDICTION, DO A LOT OF THINGS FEEDING INTO I THINK A LOT OF CRIME THAT WE EXPERIENCE.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT REALLY NEEDS A LOT MORE I THINK SUPPORT THAT WE CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR.

AND HAVE THOSE FOCUS PARTNER WITH HPD, PARTNER WITH NEIGHBOR ISLAND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO HAVE A SOLID NETWORK OF LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT HAS THE RESOURCES TO GO WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.

>>Daryl: LET ME TRY TO EVOLVE HEATHER FERGUSON.

>> I WAS ABOUT TO CHIME IN.

I'M FROM THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE IN NEW MEXICO.

UNDER CONSENT DECREE WITH THE DATA SINCE 2013.

HAVE HUGE UNHOUSED POPULATION RIGHT NOW.

WE ALSO JUST TWO YEARS AGO, A WENT THROUGH A MAJOR BAIL REFORM PACKAGE.

SO MY OUTSIDERS PERSPECTIVE IS IT SEEMS LIKE WHAT I'VE BEEN SEEING.

PIECEMEALS COMING TOGETHER IN OUR STATE.

NONE OF WHICH WORKING QUITE WELL BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE BOTH AND HAS TO BE THE BAIL REFORM, THAT DOESN'T KEEP SOMEBODY IN JAIL, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T PAY THE FIFTY DOLLARS.

BUT IT HAS TO BE FOR THE NONVIOLENT CRIME.

BUT BOTH AND IT FEEDS TO BE SET WITH THE CORRECT STANDARDS.

NEW MEXICO HAS A QUITE PERFECTED THAT.

BECAUSE ALSO, WE HAVE A POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT HAS BEEN UNDER TURNED BUT ALSO UNDERSTAFF.

AND UNDER IN CONSENT DECREE, SINCE 2013, ONE OF THE MOST VIOLENT POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTRY.

SO I THINK IT'S A HOLISTIC APPROACH OF ANALYSIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OF THE ENTIRE ISSUE.

I FEEL TASK FORCE, IT'S JUST AN OUTSIDE PERSPECTIVE FROM NEW MEXICO.

>>Daryl: I APPRECIATE THAT.

SPEAKING OF NEW MEXICO.

GUN‑FREE ZONES BEING DISCUSSED.

JAMES FROM HONOLULU, WHAT MEASURES DO YOU SUPPORT CONSIDERING GUN‑FREE ZONES NOW THAT CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMITS ARE BEING ISSUED?

MEASURES THAT REPUBLICANS SUPPORT?

WILL BE AN ISSUE.

I WOULD INSPECT.

GIVEN CONCEALED CARRY PERMITS ISSUE.

WHAT IS THE ARE BEING PERSPECTIVE ON THAT THIS YEAR?

DEMOCRATS ARE PRETTY FREAKED OUT ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

IS THERE A SIMILAR FREAKOUT GOING ON REPUBLICAN SIDE.

>> I WOULDN'T SAY FREAK OUT.

WHEN LOOKING AT THE GUN‑FREE ZONES SOMETHING DISCUSSING IN OUR CAUCUSES, WHERE IS THAT?

WHEN LOOKING AT WHAT WAS PROPOSED, GOING THAT LOOKS LIKE THAT IS JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE, IN OUR STATE, GROCERY STORES, SCHOOLS.

SIDEWALKS.

SO THEN THAT BEGS QUESTION, WHAT IS THE POINTS OF THE CONCEALED CARRY.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE ALL WORKING THROUGH.

THIS SESSION IS GOING TO BE REALLY INTERESTING TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

AND I REALLY HOPE THAT THERE IS A ROBUST DEBATE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THIS REALLY LOOKS LIKE.

>>Daryl: WHAT KIND OF GUN RESPONSE DOES DEMOCRATS PLAN OR DO YOU FOLKS PLAN TO CONCEALED CARRY SITUATION.

>> DISCUSSIONS WITH SENATE COUNTERPARTS.

WE KNOW THAT WORK IS BEING DONE TO ADDRESS THE GUN DECISION AND LOOK AT WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE PLACES WHERE IT MAY NOT MAKE SENSE FOR GUNS, TO CARRY GUNS TO.

SO AREAS LIKE PUBLIC BUILDINGS OR SCHOOLS.

>>Daryl: LET ME INTERRUPT.

EACH COUNTY IS KIND OF DEALING WITH THIS ON ITS OWN.

KAUAI IS DOING IT DIFFERENT.

DO YOU THINK THERE'S A NEED FOR STATEWIDE.

>> SOME PEOPLE ASKING FOR A STATEWIDE LAW SO THAT THERE IS SOMETHING CONSISTENCY.

THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

AND SO THAT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT IS BEING WORKED ON.

>>Daryl: LIKE STATEWIDE GUN‑FREE ZONES?

>> CORRECT.

>>Daryl: FORMER JUDICIARY CHAIR.

WHAT DO YOU SEE THE SENATE GOING ON THIS?

>> THE DATA SUPREME COURT RULING CAME DOWN, BUNCH OF NEWS STORIES.

GOT A BUNCH OF EMAILS FROM FOLKS.

SUDDENLY, I THINK FREAKED OUT IS A APPROPRIATE.

AT LEAST FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.

GO TO SCHOOL, HAVE KIDS CONFRONTED BY FOLKS ARMED, CARRYING AR15'S AND WHATNOT.

WHILE THIS MAY BE EXTREME, I THINK IT IS FAIR TO SAY THERE ARE INCIDENTS IN THE MAINLAND, CERTAINLY A LOT STATES ON THE MAINLAND WHERE THAT KIND OF THINGS HAPPENING ON REGULAR BASIS.

JUST IN THE LAST ELECTION, IN TEXAS, PEOPLE SHOWING UP ARMED POLLING PLACES INTIMIDATING VOTERS TRYING TO SHOW UP TO VOTE.

HERE IF HAWAII, WE HAVE A LOT OF RESTAURANTS AND BARS RECALL END UP IN A LOT OF FIST FIGHTS IN PLACES.

YOU SEE IN THE NEWS.

YOU SEE ONLINE.

REALLY WANT THOSE TURNING INTO GUN FIGHTS PEOPLE SHOWED UP ARMED BARS AND DRINKING WITH LOADED WEAPONS.

A LOT OF COMMON SENSE WE CAN DO TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC, STOP PEOPLE FROM BEING FREAKED OUT.

PUT IN PLACE PROTECTION AND SOME REALLY BASIC RERESTRICTIONS THAT WILL HELP SAVE LIVES.

>>Daryl: I APPRECIATE THE NEW MEXICO PERSPECTIVE.

DO YOU GUYS HAVE PEOPLE SHOOTING EACH OTHER WHO HAVE CONCEALED WEAPONS?

>> IT'S THE WILD WEST WHEN IT COMES BACK TO OPEN CARRY FOR SUCH A LONG TIME.

HAD CONCEALED CARRY.

ALSO HAD REALLY TIGHT CONCEALED CARRY LAWS EXACTLY TO YOUR POINT.

IT IS YOU CANNOT TAKE A FIREARM CONCEALED PERMIT OR NOT INTO A ESTABLISHMENT THAT SELLS LIQUOR.

YOU CANNOT WALK INTO A PUBLIC SCHOOL WITH IT.

YOU CANNOT WALK INTO A POLLING PLACE WITH IT.

ONE OF MY OTHER STATES TEXAS, AND SO I GET TO SEE BORDERING TWO STATES WHO ALLOW MUCH LOOSER GUIDANCE WITH THEIR CONCEALED CARRY LAWS.

FULLY AGREE.

I THINK MORE DETAILS, THE BETTER.

NO REASON WHY OUR KIDS NEED TO CONTINUE BEING AFRAID TO GO SCHOOL EVERY DAY.

>>Daryl: THOUGHTS ABOUT THE STATUS OF GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION?

>> YEAH, HAWAII TRADITIONAL BEEN PRETTY HARD ON GUN LAWS.

SO DEFINITELY GOING TO COME UP I THINK.

>>Daryl: MOVE ON.

I GOT TWO PEOPLE ASKING APRIL FROM KAILUA AND MAPUANA FROM NANAKULI.

BOTH ASKING ABOUT FOOD SECURITY.

I'LL LET YOU LAUREN CHEAPE MATSUMOTO.

ACTUAL FAMILY FOOD, PROVIDER WHO HAD FAMILIES.

WHAT DO YOU THINK CAN REALISTICALLY BE DONE TO HELP BECAUSE LOCAL RAISED FOOD.

>> MY FAMILY HAS OWN AID FARM.

IN WAHIAWA.

EGG FARMERS AND 113 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR.

FOURTH GENERATION FROM OUR FAMILY FARM.

IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO BE A FARMER IN HAWAII.

I HEAR US TALK ABOUT FOOD SECURITY ALL THE TIME AT THE LEGISLATURE.

HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.

IMPORT 80 TO 90% OF OUR FOOD.

DIFFICULT FOR FARMERS, SOME OF THE LAWS WE DON'T THINK DIRECTLY EFFECT THEM.

SOME OF BUSINESS LAWS WE PASS AND TAX LAWS OR BUFFER ZONE LAWS WE PASS.

FARMERS ALSO ARE THE ONES THAT USUALLY DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO TESTIFY.

SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE AS A LEGISLATURE, WE'RE WORKING AT ALL THE WAY BILL PASSING GOING HOW DOES THAT AFFECT OUR FARMERS.

REALLY IMPORTANT IS REALLY INFRASTRUCTURE.

COST OF ELECTRICITY AND THE COST OF WATER.

WE HAVE THE HIGHEST ELECTION ELECTRICTY COST IN THE NATION.

TAKES A TOLL ON OUR FARMERS.

LOOK AT HOW WE CAN FOCUS ON THAT TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FARMERS AND GET THEM ON LAND SO THEY CAN START PRODUCING FOOD.

>>Daryl: SENATOR LEE, I KNOW THAT'S SENATE UNDER SENATOR KOUCHI INTERESTED IN TRYING TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE THAT CREATES MARKETS FOR LOCALLY RAISED FOOD AS WELL AS CREATES PATHWAYS FOR THE TRANSPORT AND THE STORAGE OF LOCAL FOOD.

ARE YOU MAKING PROGRESS?

I FEEL LIKE WE'RE NOT.

EVEN THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN QUITE A LOT.

>> I THINK THE PANDEMIC WAS INTERESTING INFLECTION POINT.

>> EVERYBODY COMING OUT OF THIS REALIZES WE OUGHT TO BE SUSTAINABLE LOCALLY.

OUGHT TO HAVE OUR OWN FOOD WE GROW.

THAT WE CONSUME.

JUST FRESHER AND BETTER.

I DO THINK WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS.

WE AT GOT A LONG WAY TO GO.

WE HAVE MORE I THINK YOUNGER PEOPLE GETTING INVOLVED IN AG.

THAN WE IN A LONG TIME.

AVERAGE AGE OF A FARMER ONLY A FEW YEARS AGO WAS RETIREMENT AGE.

NOW, YOU'RE STARTING TO SEE PEOPLE ACTUALLY GET IN ON THE LAND HAVING SMALL FARMS THAT PRODUCE STUFF LOCALLY, STARTING TO SEE FOOD HUBS DEVELOP.

WHERE STATE HAS FUNDED SOME OF THESE PROVIDING GRANTS TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES, LIKE IN WAIMANALO, WHERE WE FUNDED WHAT IS NOW TURNING INTO A FOOD HUB, WHERE ALL THE LOCAL FARMS CAN SHIP THEIR STUFF.

THAT CAN BE TURNED INTO ACTUAL MEALS.

SOME OF THAT GOES TO SOME OF OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS.

IT'S REALLY A WIN‑WIN ANY WAY YOU CUT IT.

>>Daryl: I THOUGHT THE STATE HOUSE YOU FOCUS HAVE INITIATORS.

>> WE HAVE MEMBERS WHO ARE LOOKING AT WORKING ON BILLS TO PROMOTE FOOD HUBS.

BILLS THAT LOOK AT HOW DO WE PRESERVE OUR RESERVOIRS AND IRRIGATION SYSTEMS.

>> THAT IF WE DON'T INVEST NOW, WILL DETERIORATE AND MAKE IT HARDER TO FARM.

ALSO PROMOTE FARM TO SCHOOL OPTIONS, AND GETTING EVEN OUR STATE AGENCIES THAT DELIVER FOOD TO RESIDENTS FOR EXAMPLE, OUR STATE AT THE HAWAII TO THE HAWAII HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION.

GETTING LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTS INTO CAFETERIAS GET TO PEOPLE WHO STAY UP, AND LOOK AT THIS HOSPITALS.

THERE IS A LOT ON THE AGENDA.

WE HAVE A NEW AG CHAIR THIS YEAR.

CEDRIC GATES.

AND WE I THINK, WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME LEGISLATION, GOOD LEGISLATION COMING OUT OF THAT.

>>Daryl: I WANTED TO MOVE ON TO POINT THAT LAUREN CHEAPE MATSUMOTO MADE.

COST OF ELECTRICITY AND THE COST OF WATER.

THAT SORT OF THING.

I DO HAVE A QUESTION HERE SOMEWHERE.

A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

ABOUT THE ENERGY.

ARE WE MAKING PROGRESS TOWARDS GETTING THE COST OF ENERGY DOWN IN THIS STATE.

CHRIS LEE, YOU'VE BEEN VERY INTERESTED IN THAT ISSUE.

I MEAN, ARE WE MAKING PROGRESS?

GOING TO BE STARTING TO SEE AFFORDABLE ELECTRICITY IN THE STATE?

>> YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, FOR LIKE DECADES HAWAII HAS BEEN DEPENDENT ON IMPORTED FOSSIL FUELS.

FOR ENERGY JUST LIKE DEPENDENT ON IMPORTED FOOD.

>> LED TO THE HIGHEST ENERGY COST BY FAR IN THE COUNTRY.

THREE TIMES NATIONAL AVERAGE.

TO LAUREN'S POINTS.

MAKES A WHOLE LOT OF STUFF UNAFFORDABLE HERE.

GREAT THING IS WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS.

THINK SINCE THE LEGISLATURE SET OUT THE GOAL TO MOVE TO MORE RENEWABLE ENERGY.

100% CLEAN ENERGY.

SEEN A LOT OF INVESTMENT FIRST OF ALL CREATING BRAND NEW MARKETS FOR SOLAR AND BATTERIES ALL KINDS OF OTHER TECHNOLOGIES COMING IN.

CREATED THOUSAND OF JOBS.

BUT WHAT THAT'S MEANT FOR LOCAL CONSUMERS, RATE PAYORS LOWER COST OVERALL.

SAVED OVER HALF A BILLION DOLLARS AT THIS POINT.

BECAUSE OF OUR SHIFT FROM EXPENSIVE FOSSIL FUELS TO CHEAPER RENEWABLES.

FASTER WE GET OFF THOSE EXPENSIVE FOSSIL FUELS, THE FASTER WE CAN SAVE.

ADD 10% SOLAR ON ELECTRIC GRID, OVER A BILLION DOLLARS BETWEEN NOW AND 2045 WE'RE SAVING.

WE KNOW THAT FOR EXAMPLE, WITH RUSSIA, PAST JANUARY, HAS IT BEEN A YEAR ALREADY?

GOODNESS.

WORLD ENERGY MARKET.

STILL SUSCEPTIBLE TO THAT KIND OF VOLATILITY.

20% RUSSIA OIL DEPENDING ON IN HAWAII.

THANKFULLY NOW CHANGE.

NO LONGER FEELING THAT KIND OF MILITARY CONFLICT IT OVERSEAS.

REINFORCES THAT THE PATH.

ACTUALLY SEEING COSTS SAVINGS.

WE'VE GOT A LOT MORE TO GO.

NEED A LOT MORE SAVINGS.

FASTER WE MOVE TO CHEAPER RENEWABLES, CHEAPEST NEW SOURCE OF POWER PUT ON THE GRID.

MORE EVERYBODY SAVES.

>>Daryl: DO YOU SEE THEM MAKING THIS KIND OF PROGRESS?

>> I THINK THEY ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN LAST REPORT FROM THE STATE ENERGY OFFICE OIL STILL ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT 70% OF HAWAII'S ENERGY NEEDS.

DOWN FROM A FEW YEARS AGO.

SO WE'RE STEADILY CREEPING WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

DEFINITELY GOT A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> I WANT TO ADD THAT ON KAUAI, WE HAVE COOPERATIVE KAUAI ISLAND UTILITY COOPERATIVE AND IT'S 70% RENEWABLE AT THIS TIME.

SO IT'S REALLY EXCITING AND THE RATES ARE THE LOWEST IN THE STATE.

>>Daryl: WHAT WAS THE TRICK ON KAUAI?

>> THE TRICK IS THERE'S A COMBINATION OF 45% SOLAR.

14% HYDRO AND 11% BIOMASS.

AND IT'S THAT COMBINATION PLUS HAVING A COOPERATIVE BOARDMEMBERS FROM KAUAI FOCUSED ON THIS, AND THEN HAVING STORAGE CAPACITY AS WELL THAT CAN BE USED DIFFERENT TIMES.

CERTAINLY REALLY HOT DAYS ON KAUAI, IT'S 100% RENEWABLE.

>>Daryl: LAUREN CHEAPE MATSUMOTO, YOU BROUGHT THIS UP.

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK THE SOLUTION IS FOR GETTING THER PRICE OF ENERGY DOWN?

>> SO SO IMPORTANT THAT WE LIVE ON AN ISLAND STATE.

BUT SOMETHING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP, SO OFTEN PUT IN ASPIRATIONAL GOALS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE THE PLAN TO GET US THERE.

OFTEN OUR RATE PAYORS ARE THE ONES WHO SUFFER.

IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT COST SAVINGS, THAT IS NOT BEING PASSED DOWN TO THE RATE PAYOR YET.

I MEAN, I HAVE PEOPLE TOLD ME IN MY DISTRICT THAT THEIR ELECTRIC BILL DOUBLED IN THE LAST MONTH.

SO PEOPLE ARE REALLY FEELING IT.

THEN ALSO, ISSUE OF HOW DO WE PRODUCE THAT.

ESPECIALLY ON OAHU, SO DENSELY POPULATED.

>> CAN'T TELL YOU HOME TOWN HALLS I'VE GONE TO, WINDMILLS NORTH SHORE OR OFFSHORE WINDMILLS, WHAT DOES THAT RENEWABLE ENERGY LOOK LIKE ESPECIALLY ON OAHU WHERE WE ARE SO DENSELY POPULATED.

>> HOW DO WE GET THE PUBLIC INVOLVED AND HOW DO WE GET THEIR BUY‑IN WHEN EVERY SINGLE MONTH, SEEING MONEY GO OUT ELECTRIC BILL.

IMPORTANT DISCUSSION.

>> TOTALLY AGREE.

ANY TIME YOU SEE A SPIKE IN ELECTRIC BILLS HURTS PEOPLE.

REASON THEY'RE GOING UP, FOSSIL FUEL COMMODITY PRICES ARE RISING, IT'S ACTUALLY RENEWABLES THAT ARE STABLE.

WHY I KEEP SAYING FASTER WE GET OFF IT, THE FASTER WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE.

EXCITING STUFF.

WE GOT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT WE CAN'T SAY NO THINK TO THINGS JUST BECAUSE WE THINK IT'S GOING TO BE CHALLENGE TO GO GET THERE.

I KNOW THINGS ARE ASPIRATIONAL AT THE LEGISLATURE, OFTEN, THE GREAT THING IS THE LAWS WE PUT IN PLACE TO MOVE TO CLEANER ENERGY AND GET OFF FOSSIL FUELS ARE ABSOLUTELY REAL.

WHY WE'RE SEEING PROGRESS MOVE SO FAST.

HAVING MORE THAN ABOUT DOUBLED MORE THAN TRIPLED RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCING IN THE LAST 8 YEARS IN HAWAII.

>>Daryl: I NEED TO KEEP GOING HERE.

>> I LIKE TALKING ABOUT ENERGY.

>>Daryl: I KNOW.

IT'S GOOD.

THAT SAY CORE DRIVER OF INFLATION.

HIGHER COSTS.

FOR QUESTION.

EVERYTHING YOU DO.

LIKE ENERGY, LIKE PHYSICS.

ENERGY IS EVERYWHERE.

SO BY MAIM.

TALKING ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING.

RISING INFLATION IS A PROBLEM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

ESPECIALLY IN HAWAII.

WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE TO ADDRESS STATE'S HIGH COST OF LIVING.

LET ME ASK YOU.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS A PARTICULAR DRIVER OF INFLATION THAT THE LEGISLATURE CAN GET TO?

WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING TONIGHT AT ALL.

ANOTHER REALLY BIG THING.

>> RIGHT.

THERE'S JUST SO MANY FACTORS THAT GOES INTO DRIVES UP INFLATION.

WHOLE LOT STATE, ANY STATE LEGISLATURE COULD DO THAT WOULD DRIVE THAT DOWN FOR RESIDENTS.

SOME THINGS IT COULD DO I SUPPOSE TO LESSEN THE BLOW.

IF FEW YEARS AGO, PASSED TAX CREDITS ON THINGS FOR FOOD, SO LOWER INCOME PEOPLE COULD GET SOME CASH BACK AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

I DON'T KNOW THERE'S MUCH ANY INDIVIDUAL STATE COULD DO THAT.

>>Daryl: LET ME ASK YOU.

I GOT ALL OF YOU.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING, DO YOU THINK THAT THEIR WAY TO MAKE REAL PROGRESS ON THAT ISSUE.

>> LAST YEAR, THREW A BILLION DOLLARS AT THE ISSUE.

THAT'S SORT OF SEEMS WHERE GOVERNMENT IS COMING.

A LOT IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, IN THE FUNDING.

SET UP THE INFRASTRUCTURE, ENTICE DEVELOPERS TO BUILD.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GOVERNOR MADE A BIG PART OF CAMPAIGN I DO THINK THERE'S SOME MOMENTUM FOR HIM NOT ONLY IN THE LEGISLATOR, COUNTIES TRYING TO BUY IN WHICH REGULATIONS ON LAND USE ON BUILDING PERMITS AND BUILDING CODES COULD YOU CUT THROUGH TO ACTUALLY ALLOW FOR DEVELOPMENT THAT'S FASTER.

I KNOW THAT GOVERNOR HOUSING DIRECTOR WANTS TO LOOK AT THAT THIS SESSION.

>>Daryl: HAD ABOUT 2 MINUTES LEFT.

START WITH LAUREN CHEAPE MATSUMOTO.

ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS REAL TOUCH POINT ASK EACH OF YOU TO GIVE ME ABOUT 30 SECONDS ON THAT.

>> IN ADDITION TO WHAT BLAZE TALKED ABOUT, IT'S REALLY A PATH TO HOMEOWNERSHIP.

REALLY ASSISTING PEOPLE TO GET THERE LOCKED INTO A MORTGAGE, REALLY LIFTING THE ENTIRE FAMILY UP BECAUSE YOU'RE LOCKED INTO A MONTHLY RATE.

SO SOMETHING WE'RE LOOKING AT IN OUR CAUCUS IS USING PRETAX DOLLARS IN ORDER TO BUILD UP FOR DOWN PAYMENT.

SO IT'S A PROGRAM THAT'S USUALLY THE BIGGEST BARRIER.

FOR PEOPLE.

BEING ABLE TO SAVE UP FOR THAT DOWN PAYMENT IN HAWAII.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

SO THAT'S AREA THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR TO ASSIST PEOPLE TO A PATH WITH HOMEOWNERSHIP.

>>Daryl: CONTINUING TO FUND RENTAL HOUSING TRUST FUND, WHICH IS GAP FINANCING THAT IS NEEDED WHEN DEVELOPERS USE LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS.

THAT'S HOW OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS, 7,000 UNITS ARE GOING TO BE BUILT BECAUSE WE HAVE ACCESS TO TAX, FEDERAL AND STATE TAX CREDITS.

AND WE HAVE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND, PUTTING FUNDING INTO A REVOLVING FUND TO HELP WITH INFRASTRUCTURE.

>>Daryl: CHRIS LEE, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> YOU THINK IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THIS STUFF, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT MAKING A GREATER STOCK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING REMAINS AFFORDABLE IN PERPETUITY.

VALUES ISN'T JUST CASHED OUT.

MARKET PRICE HOME NO ONE CAN AFFORD.

IN ADDITION TO THE COST OF HOUSING, COST OF LIVING AS A WHOLE HAS TO ACCOUNT FOR COST OF TRANSPORTATION WHICH NOBODY IS TALKING ABOUT.

>> PAY MORE THAN TWICE WHAT FAMILIES IN OTHER PLACES PAY JUST TO GET AROUND.

THERE'S A LOT WE CAN DO ABOUT THAT.

>>Daryl: GREAT.

WE ARE DONE.

MAHALO TO ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE THANK OUR GUESTS.

STATE REPRESENTATIVES NADINE NAKAMURA AND LAUREN CHEAPE MATSUMOTO AND STATE SENATOR CHRIS LEE.

HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT REPORTER BLAZE LOVELL AND FROM COMMON CAUSE, HEATHER FERGUSON.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, AN ISSUE THAT’S BEEN DEBATED AT THE STATE CAPITOL FOR YEARS, SHOULD FLAVORED E‑CIGARETTE AND VAPING PRODUCTS BE BANNED?

A MEASURE WAS PASSED LAST SESSION ONLY TO BE VETOED BY GOVERNOR IGE.

WE’LL SEE WHAT’S IN THE LATEST PROPOSAL.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M DARYL HUFF FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

ALOHA!