NEXT WEEK HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE RECONFERENCES IN THE MIDST OF AN UNPRECEDENTED COVID SURGE.

ANNOUNCED CAPITOL CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

WE'LL TALK AGENDAS PRIORITIES AND PUBLIC ACCESS FOR THE NEW SESSION.

THAT'S COMING UP NEXT ON INSIGHTS.

>>2022 IS BIG YEAR FOR THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

AS LAWMAKERS RECONVENE DURING THE ON‑GOING COVID PANDEMIC, THEY’LL ALSO HAVE REELECTION ON THEIR MINDS.

ALL SEATS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE WILL BE ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF REAPPORTIONMENT.

WE’LL TALK PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW SESSION, AS WELL AS PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY WITH LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH PARTIES AND LOCAL JOURNALISTS.

TONIGHT’S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI’I START NOW.

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

I'M DARYL HUFF.

THE START OF THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL LOOK SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR IN TERMS OF PANDEMIC SAFETY MEASURE AND ALSO SIMILAR IN ITS JAMMED PACKED AGENDA OF HEFTY ISSUES.

SOME ARE IMMEDIATE, LIKE THE RED HILL FUEL TANK WATER CRISIS, COVID RECOVERY EFFORTS AND LIMITING THE GOVERNOR’S EMERGENCY POWERS.

OTHER MATTERS ARE ONES THE STATE HAS GRAPPLED WITH FOR YEARS: AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS AND OUR HIGH COST OF LIVING.

SO, WHAT CAN RESIDENTS EXPECT THIS YEAR FROM THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS?

OUR PANEL TONIGHT WILL GIVE US SOME INSIGHT.

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 DELLA AU BELATTI IS THE MAJORITY LEADER IN THE HOUSE.

FIRST ELECTED IN 2006, SHE CURRENTLY SERVES DISTRICT 24 WHICH INCLUDES MAKIKI, PAPAKOLEA, MCCULLY AND MANOA.

THE MARYKNOLL GRAD EARNED DEGREES FROM PRINCETON UNIVERSITY AND THE WILLIAM S. RICHARDSON SCHOOL OF LAW AT UH MANOA.

REPUBLICAN VAL OKIMOTO IS THE MINORITY LEADER IN THE HOUSE.

SHE REPRESENTS RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT 36 WHICH INCLUDES MILILANI MAUKA, MILILANI AND WAIPIO ACRES.

BORN AND RAISED ON KAUAI, SHE’S LIVED IN MILILANI FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES AND WORKED AS A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER PRIOR TO BEING ELECTED TO OFFICE.

CATHERINE CRUZ IS PART OF THE NEWS TEAM AS WELL AS THE HOST OF “THE CONVERSATION” ON HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO.

ORIGINALLY FROM GUAM, SHE EARNED A DEGREE IN BROADCAST JOURNALISM FROM SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY AND HAS BEEN A JOURNALIST IN HAWAII SINCE 1983.

AND BLAZE LOVELL IS A REPORTER FOR HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT.

BORN AND RAISED ON OAHU, HE’S A PEARL CITY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE AND EARNED HIS BACHELOR’S DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS.

LET ME STARTED WITH YOU.

WHAT DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WITH RIGHTFULLY EXPECT FROM THIS LEGISLATURE.

ELECTION YEAR.

PANDEMIC YEAR.

WHAT CAN THEY EXPECT?

WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY WANT?

>> WELL, I THINK THEY WANT TO SEE SOME PROGRESS WITH MAJOR ISSUES WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH.

HOMELESSNESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

OVERTOURISM.

ALL THINGS THAT WE WERE GRAY PELLING WITH PREPANDEMIC.

GRAPPLING WITH.

GETTING TASTE OF IT, START TO SEE THE VISITORS RETURN AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW ARE WE GOING TO MAKE OUR WAY THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC?

HOW ARE WE GOING TO RECOVER FROM THIS MAJOR HEALTH AND ECONOMIC CRISIS?

SO I THINK WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOME LEADERSHIP, SOME VISIONARIES I GUESS TO HELP GUIDE US THROUGH.

BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A LONG HAUL.

>>Daryl: MINORITY LEADER IN STATE HOUSE, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE.

>> FIRST OF ALL.

THANK YOU AND PBS FOR HAVING MYSELF AND REPRESENTATIVES BELATTI ON AS WELL AS THE PANEL.

I WILL SAY THAT I DO AGREE WITH WHAT CATHERINE SAID.

YOU THINK FOR THE MOST PART, MY DISTRICT REALLY IS LOOKING FOR HELP AND GUIDANCE.

>> THEY WANT TO REINSTATE TRUST IN GOVERNMENT.

THINK THAT'S BEEN LOST.

OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THIS COVID PANDEMIC.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT, I GET THEY REALLY WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE SCHOOLS REMAIN OPEN.

HAVE OUR BUSINESSES STAY OPEN.

I THINK THAT ALL TIES BACK INTO THEY TRUST THE GOVERNMENT ELECTED OFFICIALS THEY PUT INTO OFFICE TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

FIND THAT BALANCE.

DEFINITELY TAKING CARE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITIES, FIND THAT BALANCE TO HAVE OUR ECONOMY BLOSSOM, NOT SHUTTING IT DOWN.

HAVING OUR KEIKI STILL IN SCHOOL.

EDUCATION IS THE FUTURE FOR OUR KEIKI.

>> FOR EDUCATION AS A FUTURE OF OUR STATE.

THAT'S SOME OF THE INITIATIVES.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE, AGAIN KIND OF RETURN BACK TO SOME FORM OF NORMAL WHAT I'M HOPING FOR WE CAN DISCUSS TONIGHT.

WE ARE NOW ALMOST 2 YEARS IN.

WE NEED TO LEARN HOW TO LIVE WITH THIS VIRUS.

>>Daryl: BLAZE, CIVIL BEAT, WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS THAT YOU'RE HEARING OUT THERE AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE FOCUSING ON IN YOUR COVERAGE?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF THE LONGSTANDING ISSUES THAT HAWAII BEEN FACING FOR YEARS.

MODERATED PANEL LIKE THIS.

PEOPLE SENDING US QUESTION.

WANT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE MINIMUM WAGE.

HOW THE STATE IS GOING TO BETTER MANAGE TOURISM.

RED HILL CAME UP.

CIVIL BEAT BEEN REPORTING ON HOW A LOT OF FAMILIES IN HAWAII ALREADY ON THE BRINK.

ON THE FINANCIAL BRINK BEFORE THIS PANDEMIC HAPPENED.

A LOT OF EXPERTS OUT THERE ARE WORRIED THEY'LL BE WORSE OFF COMING OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC.

FOR THOSE FAMILIES WHICH ARE A LOT IN THIS STATE, I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE LOOK TOWARDS A LAWMAKERS TO SEE WHAT HOPE COULD BE COMING THEIR WAY.

COMING OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC.

ONCE EVERYTHING IS STARTING TO RETURN TO NORMAL.

>>Daryl: DELLA AU BELATTI, MAJORITY OF LEADER IN STATE HOUSE, ARE THINGS BACK TO NORMAL OR EVEN CLOSE TO IT ESPECIALLY WHEN COMES TO GOVERNMENT AND WHAT IS THE CAPITAL GOING TO LOOK LIKE THIS YEAR IN TERMS OF OPENNESS?

FIRST QUESTION CAME IN, WHY AREN'T THEY OPENING UP THE CAPITOL?

WOULDN'T IT BE NICE TO HAVE THIS BE THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE AGAIN?

>> THANK YOU DARYL.

FOR THE QUESTION.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING BOTH ME AND MINORITY LEADER HERE.

I WANT TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION BUT ANSWER THE QUESTION YOU FIRST ASKED REPRESENTATIVE OKAMOTO.

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING TO YOU.

COMMUNITY.

WE'LL ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ABOUT HOW ARE WE RETURNING TO NORMAL.

I SENSE A REAL TIREDNESS, A REAL EXHAUSTION WITH PEOPLE.

I WILL SAY, I DON'T WANT TO BE A DOWNER BECAUSE I WANT TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE FACT THAT I THINK WE ALSO HAVE TO HAVE HOPE.

AND THAT WHAT WE'RE LOOK FOR WHAT I THINK PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR, ONE, GOVERNMENT COMING BACK ADDRESSING THOSE REALLY TOUGH ISSUES.

HELPING US NAVIGATE A WAY BACK TO THAT NEW NORMAL.

I WILL SHARE WITH YOU TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, WE WERE GETTING PREPARED TO OPEN UP.

AND THEN OMICRON, I CAN REMEMBER THE CAUCUS WE HAD.

IT WAS THE DAY OMICRON WAS JUST STARTING TO PEAK ON THE NEWS.

>> WE SAID, WE'RE GOING TO OPEN UP.

WE'RE WATCHING THIS OMICRON.

WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

WE WERE READY TO OPEN.

SUCH A HARD DECISION TO CLOSE.

I KNOW THAT PEOPLE IN THE LAST WEEK, MY KIDS ARE AT PUBLIC SCHOOL.

I KNOW REPRESENTATIVE OKAMOTO KIDS ARE ALSO AT PUBLIC SCHOOL.

PEOPLE ARE SCRAMBLING NOW AND TIRED.

THEY'RE TIRED OF THE OPEN, CLOSE AND WHO IS BEEN EXPOSED.

I HAVE TO GET A TEST.

RUN THIS DOWN.

PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR NORMALITY.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET THROUGH THIS ROUGH PERIOD BECAUSE THE VIRUS IS STILL IN SOME WAYS CONTROLLING US.

BUT WE HAVE THE MEASURES TO TAKE BACK A LITTLE BIT OF THAT CONTROL THROUGH THE MITIGATION EFFORTS WE'RE TAKING THROUGH ALL THE OF THE PEOPLE GETTING VACCINATED AND BOOSTED.

AND WE'RE GOING TO GET BACK TO NORMAL.

BECAUSE WE HAVE TO.

WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER FEDERAL STIMULUS THAT IS GOING TO PROVIDE US A LIFE LINE.

WE HAVE GET ON TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

IN SOME WAYS BRIGHT SPOTS.

I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A SESSION WHERE WE HAVE A BILLION DOLLARS.

THAT COULD BE POTENTIALLY PUT INTO THE RAINY‑DAY FUND.

SO I THINK WE HAVE SOME OPPORTUNITIES AND ON THE HOUSE SIDE, WE HAVE MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THESE VERY TOUGH ISSUES THAT BLAZE AND KATHRYN HAVE TALKED ABOUT.

HOMELESSNESS.

MANAGING TOURISM, NOW IN THE LAST MONTH OF THE LAST YEAR, WE NOW HAVE TO DEAL WITH ECONOMIC CONTAMINATION PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ISSUE.

SO THERE IS ALL OF THESE BIG THINGS AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I THINK WE'RE GOING TO TACKLE ALL OF THOSE ISSUES AND PROVIDE THAT HOPE AND LEADERSHIP THAT KATHRYN WAS TALK ABOUT.

>>Daryl: WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE?

DO YOU THINK THE PUBLIC HAS ANY CONFIDENCE THAT THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PANDEMIC?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT WAS INTERESTING.

OPENING OF THE LEGISLATURE, I WAS TALKING TO THE DAGS COMPTROLLER, HE TOLD ME BASICALLY THAT THEY WERE SET GO.

ACTUALLY HIRED EXTRA SECURITY GUARDS.

GOING TO RUN THEM THROUGH.

I THINK TOMORROW.

RUN THROUGH, TEST PEOPLE.

TO LOOK AT PEOPLE'S VACCINATION CARDS.

BECAUSE OF THE VARIANT, THEY HAD TO MAKE THE DECISION TO SHUT DOWN FOR NOW, AND JUST SEE HOW IT GOES.

THEY DO PLAN TO OPEN.

I DID HAPPEN TO SEE A NOTE FROM THE GOVERNOR SENT OUT NOTICE TO LEADERSHIP SAYING HE'S ADVISED HIS DEPARTMENT HEADS TO BASICALLY ATTEND MEETINGS REMOTELY.

JUST BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY IN THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VARIANT.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE PARTY BUT ISOLATION AND SHORTAGES.

IF YOU GET ALL OF THESE CAPITAL WORKERS AND LAWMAKERS AND THEIR STAFF OUT, THEN THE PEOPLE'S WORK DOESN'T GO ANYWHERE.

SO YEAH, ACCESS.

I THINK BEING ABLE TO GO DOWN THERE AND TALK TO THE LAWMAKERS AND HAVE YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.

>>Daryl: VAL, GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU.

I WOULD LIKE TO AGREE.

WHEN REPRESENTATIVE BELATTI SAID THAT PEOPLE ARE TIRED, THEY ARE.

WE'RE ALL EXHAUSTED.

>> I THINK ONE THING WHEN I TALK ABOUT TRUST IN GOVERNMENT, WE REALLY NEED TO START UNDERSTANDING LIKE MINORITY LEADER SAID, WE HAVE TO GET A NEW NORMAL.

WHEN THE GOALPOST KEEPING MOVING.

PEOPLE ARE THE TIRED OF HEARING REACHED PERCENTAGE VACCINATION.

RELEASE ALL RESTRICTIONS.

OR AFTER 2 WEEKS, FLATTEN THE CURVE.

TIRED OF HEARING THAT.

>> WE REALLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE CAN'T HAVE THIS CONTINUATION OF GOALPOST MOVING.

THAT'S NOT REALISTIC AND JUST LIKE KATHRYN SHARED, THE PUBLIC DESERVES TO HAVE THE CAPITAL OPEN.

WE WENT THROUGH NOW 2‑AND‑A‑HALF SESSIONS, I'M SORRY, ONE‑AND‑A‑HALF SESSION I THINK ABOUT THE BUILDING COMPLETELY CLOSED.

WE ARE.

I MEAN, WE ARE ONE BEAUTY OF OUR CAPITOL IS THE OPEN, OPEN AIR.

AND WE HAD ALLOW ACCESS.

NOT JUST TO LOBBYISTS OR SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS BUT TO THE PEOPLE.

I DARE SAY THAT IF WE AS A LEGISLATURE CAN'T HAVE ANOTHER SESSION WHERE THE PUBLIC IS ALLOWED IN, MAYBE WE SHOULD ADJUST THE CALENDAR.

TO WHEN THEY ARE ALLOWED IN.

BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO BE, HUGE YEAR.

WE ARE IN AN ELECTION YEAR.

ALSO WE ARE NOW TWO YEARS AFTER THE PANDEMIC STARTED.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO STAFF UP AND LIKE BELLA SAID, OFFER SOME KIND OF HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.

WE CAN'T DO THAT IF WE'RE NOT ALLOWING THE PEOPLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO US.

>> CAN I JUMP IN HERE?

I WANT TO JUMP IN HERE.

WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT REOPENING.

SO THE POLICY IS NOT A HARD AND FAST.

IT'S SUBJECT TO REVIEW.

THAT'S WHAT I'M REALLY HOPING FOR.

WE KNOW WE NEED TO OPEN UP.

I THINK THE OTHER SILVER LINING IS THAT WE CAN PIVOT AND BE MORE ACCESSIBLE ONLINE.

SO EVEN WHEN WE WERE GOING TO OPEN, ANOTHER REALLY BRIGHT SPOT WAS THAT WE WERE STILL GOING TO BE HYBRID SYSTEM BECAUSE ONE OF THE LESSONS LEARNS AND I THINK I CAN BRING BLAZE INTO THAT.

ONE OF THE LESSONS LEARNED IS PEOPLE FROM THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS REALLY LIKE THE VIRTUAL TESTIMONY.

ABILITY TO ACCESS US ONLINE.

I THINK SO I'M A BIG PROPONENT WE DO NEED TO OPEN UP.

WHEN WE CAN DO THAT SAFELY, GOING TO REVIEW THAT.

I HOPE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO IN FEBRUARY, OR LATE JANUARY.

>>Daryl: BLAZE, IT'S INTERESTING.

I'M SEEING A LITTLE BIT PARTISAN DIVIDE HERE.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON POLITICS OF THE CORONAVIRUS AS PLAYING OUT IN HAWAII IN PARTICULAR?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> YOU KNOW, KIND OF INTERESTING.

BECAUSE HAWAII TENDS, I THINK WE TEND TO THINK OF HAWAII AS BEING MAJORITY DEMOCRATIC STATE.

IF YOU GO ON THE MAINLAND, THEY SAY IT'S DEEP BLUE.

FOR ANYONE HERE, YOU REALIZE THAT'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT SHADES OF PURPLE TOO.

A LOT OF DIFFERENT VIEWS OUT THERE ON WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING.

AND WHAT WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING FOR IT.

I MEAN, MANY WAYS MIRRORS PARTISAN DIVIDE.

OVER VACCINE MANDATES OTHER KIND OF BUSINESS MANDATES.

REPUBLICANS TEND NOT TO AGREE WITH THOSE.

IF YOU TEND TO LEAN DEMOCRATIC.

MORE WILLING TO ACCEPT THAT.

I THINK I AGREE WITH EVERYONE THAT THERE'S A CERTAIN, I THINK LIKE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, KIND OF HITTING CERTAIN POINT WHERE PEOPLE ARE GOING, WHEN IS THIS GOING TO END?

ARE WE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE MANDATES?

IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO LET UP ON OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM.

MIGHT BE SAYING THOUSANDS OF CASE OF DAYS WONDERING WHY THE MAYORS AREN'T DOING MORE TO RESTRICT THESE KIND OF GATHERING.

WHAT HAPPENING IN HAWAII MIR ORGANIZE A LOT OF WHAT'S HAPPENING EVERYWHERE.

MIRRORING A LOT.

>>Daryl: DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE CAPITOL SHOULD BE OPEN, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC RIGHT NOW?

IS THAT AN ARGUMENT GOING ON BETWEEN MINORITY AND MAJORITY?

>> WELL, BELLA AND I DON'T ARGUE.

WE RESPECTFULLY DISCUSS THINGS.

THAT'S I THINK THE BEAUTY OF HAVING PARTISAN RESPECTABLE CONVERSATIONS.

NOW THAT WE'VE KIND OF GONE, AGAIN, YEARS INTO THIS, AND WE RECOGNIZE WITH OMICRON, HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE.

SPREADS FAST.

RESULT IS THAT HOSPITALIZATION RATES ARE SO LOW.

I THINK STAFFING IS ISSUE THAT IS CALLING THE CONCERN THERE.

I DO THINK THAT WE SHOULD OPEN UP.

IF WE FEEL THAT'S TOO MUCH OF A HEALTH RISK FOR OUR COMMUNITIES BECAUSE THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

WE AS A LEGISLATURE NEED TO DECIDE WHEN IS IT OKAY FOR OPEN UP AND DON'T MEET UNTIL WE CAN DO THAT.

I'M FROM THE NEIGHBOR ISLAND OF KAUAI.

I KNOW THAT THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS, WHEN THEY, AS STRUGGLE FOR THEM TO COME HERE AND TESTIFY.

SO WE GIVE THEM THAT OPTION.

WE ALLOW THE HYBRID.

BUT TO CLOSED BUILDING COMPLETELY WHERE NOW, OUR COMMUNITIES CAN'T HAVE ACCESS TO US, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.

I'M GRATEFUL THAT MY FIRST SESSION IN 2019, I WAS ABLE TO GO THROUGH REGULAR SESSION WHERE THE BUILDING WAS OPEN.

AND PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO COME IN AND TESTIFY.

I WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT THERE'S A BEAUTY TO THAT I REALLY MISS.

I KNOW THE REP BELATTI MISSES IT TOO.

WE NEED TO HAVE THAT INTERACTION.

WE NEED ACCESS.

PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO TRUST US IF WE CONTINUE TO MAKE DECISIONS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IN A CLOSED BUILDING THAT SHOULD BE NOT PEOPLE.

>>Daryl: START MOVING ON TO OTHER THINGS.

GETTING QUESTIONS ON SPECIFIC ISSUES.

>> WANT TO BE DRIVEN BY OUR VIEWERS VERY MUCH.

I WANT TO MENTION THAT ELLIE FROM NUUANU WAS THE ONE THAT ASKED ABOUT THE CAPITOL.

APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION.

COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MINIMUM WAGE.

I'M CURIOUS ABOUT BOTH MINIMUM WAGE AND ALSO OTHER LABOR ORIENTED THINGS.

LIKE PAID SICK LEAVE AND SO ON.

KATHRYN, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING ABOUT THE PROSPECTS FOR THOSE ISSUES.

>> PRETTY GOOD FOR WAGE.

QUESTION IS HOW MUCH.

SURPRISED TO SEE LAST NIGHT, LATE NIGHT EARLY MORNING EMAIL ABOUT NEW PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS.

AND THAT WAS ONE OF THINGS ON THEIR AGENDA.

>> ANOTHER CAUCUS, WORKING FAMILIES, SAME THING.

MINIMUM WAGE.

I THINK THIS PANDEMIC IS CERTAINLY SHOWED US THAT WITHOUT WORKERS, THINGS SHUTDOWN.

WE CAN'T FUNCTION.

AND WE NEED TO RAISE THE PAY FOR THOSE FOLKS BECAUSE COST OF LIVING IS JUST GOING THROUGH THE ROOF AND PEOPLE ARE REALLY STRUGGLING.

>>Daryl: DELLA AU BELATTI, BEEN ON THE VERGE OF RAISING MINIMUM WAGE.

DID GET RAISE 3 OR 4 YEARS AGO I THINK.

DO YOU SEE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE REPRESENTATIVE OKAMOTO RESPOND TO THIS TOO.

DO YOU SEE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOGNIZING WRITING IS ON THE WALL FINALLY ON THIS OR DO YOU SEE A BIG PUSH BACK AGAIN ON MINIMUM WAGE.

>> I WANT TO PUT THIS LITTLE BIT CONTEXT.

AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS PANDEMIC, SET TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE.

THEN WE PAUSED IT BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME DISTRESS SMALL BUSINESSES WERE FEELING IN 2019 AND 2020.

INTO 2021.

I THINK PART OF IT IS YES, WE'RE SEEING MARKET AND WE'RE SEEING THAT MORE BUSINESSES CAN HANDLE THE INCREASES IN THE MINIMUM WAGE.

BUT I THINK I REALLY WANT TO STRESS, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE CALLING FOR THE INCREASE.

SO THERE'S STILL GOING TO BE A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT THAT MINIMUM WAGE LOOKS LIKE.

WE ALSO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE OTHER WAYS IN WHICH WE HELP WORKING FAMILIES.

I THINK THAT CAUCUS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, REALLY FOCUSED ON THE WELL‑BEING OF WORKING FAMILIES.

>> ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO IT.

WHETHER IT'S LOOKING AT THE EITC, OR LOOK AT THE LOW INCOME HOUSING CREDIT OR RENTER'S CREDIT OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, COST OF CHILD CARE, THERE'S ALL OF THESE LEVERS THAT WE CAN PRESS TO HELP ADDRESS COST OF LIVING AND THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT MINIMUM WAGE.

BUT IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS AS WELL.

>>Daryl: BEFORE I PUT THIS DIRECTLY, REPRESENTATIVE OKAMOTO, FACEBOOK HAS A SPECIFIC QUESTION.

GRATED RALLY OR IN ONE STEP, OR DO YOU SUPPORT TYING IT TO THE COST OF LIVING SO PEOPLE ARE NOT AT THE MERCY WAITING FOR THE LEGISLATURE?

WHAT IS THE POSITION OF MINORITY ON THIS?

>> I WANT TO SAY ONE THING THAT I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO DEFINE DIFFERENTIATE IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MINIMUM WAGE AND LIVING WAGE.

I GOT MY FIRST JOB I THINK WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

YOU GET ENTRY LEVEL POSITION AS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT OR A COLLEGE STUDENT VISITING HOME.

MINIMUM WAGE.

>> ENTRY LEVEL POSITION.

THAT'S THE DIFFERENT THING FROM LIVING WAGE.

WE NEED TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT.

WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LIVING WAGE, YES, PEOPLE HAVE CAREERS OR JOBS WHERE THEY NEED TO SUPPORT A FAMILY, THAT IS DIFFERENT COMPLETELY.

SINCE MY FIRST SESSION IN 2019, MINIMUM WAGE HAS BEEN A PART OF THE DISCUSSION.

I THINK IF WE JUST DISCUSS AND ONLY ADDRESS MINIMUM WAGE BY ITSELF, NEVER GOING TO REALLY ADDRESS THE ISSUE WHICH IS HIGH COST OF LIVING HERE.

PEOPLE AREN'T LEAVING JUST BECAUSE OF MINIMUM WAGE.

AND BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GETTING PAID ENOUGH.

LEAVING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.

BUT WE NEED TO REALLY ADDRESS HIGH COST OF LIVING.

WE HAVE SUCH A, ISSUE WITH OUR SUPPLY CHAIN.

RIGHT NOW, TELLING OUR BUSINESSES THEY CAN ONLY OPERATE AT HALF CAPACITY.

AND WE HAVE A HIGH INFLATION RATE RIGHT NOW.

ALL ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE DISCUSSED.

NOT JUST MINIMUM WAGE.

IF YOU JUST RAISE IT, AGAIN, FOR ENTRY LEVEL POSITIONS, THAT'S MINIMUM WAGE IS, THEN THE BUSINESS OWNER OR THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHOEVER THE BUSINESS WILL HAVE IT EITHER PASS THAT COST DOWN TO THE CONSUMER WHICH IS US OR HAVE TO AUTOMATE THINGS, WHICH AGAIN, AFFECTS WORKFORCE AND PEOPLE OUT OF JOBS.

OR SHUTTER THEIR DOORS.

SO IT'S A MATHEMATICAL THING FOR ME, I THINK WE NEED TO REALLY DISCUSS THE WHOLE PICTURE.

JUST RAISING THE WAGES, THERE'S A DIFFERENCE.

NEED TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN MINIMUM WAGE OR ENTRY LEVEL JOB AND LIVING WAGE.

>>Daryl: WHAT DO YOU, HOW DO YOU HANDICAP THIS ONE AND ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK ABOUT PAID FAMILY LEAVE OR SICK LEAVE.

HAWAII ONE OF THE STATES THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE THAT.

>> HANDICAP MINIMUM WAGE, PRETTY GOOD CHANCES.

ALREADY SEEN THE HOUSE SPEAKER SAY THAT HE PLANS TO COME FORWARD WITH A PROPOSAL.

IN THE PAST, IN FACT, LAST YEAR, SENATE VOTED ON MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE WENT OVER TO THE HOUSE.

BUT I DON'T THINK THE HOUSE AT THAT TIME WAS READY.

SEEMS BOTH CHAMBERS ARE GOING TO FIND AGREEMENT.

I AGREE WITH KATHRYN, ONE QUESTION NOW IS HOW MUCH AND HOW ARE YOU GOING TO RAISE IT.

>> I'VE HEARD THERE'S SOME DISCUSSION APPLYING IT TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.

>> THAT AS A COST OF LIVING GOES UP, WAGES ALSO INCREASE.

ALSO AGREE WITH VAL.

NOT JUST GOING TO THE MINIMUM WAGE.

HEARING FROM LAWMAKERS THAT THOSE OTHER FACETS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND EVERYTHING ELSE, IS GOING TO GET A LOOK AT.

WE KNOW THAT THINGS THAT DRIVE PEOPLE AWAY FROM HAWAII AND DRIVE POPULATIONS DECLINE, PEOPLE LOOK AT THE WAGES.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

LOOK AT THE PRICE OF HOUSING.

KIND OF DETERMINES WHETHER OR NOT THEY DECIDE TO STAY HERE.

>>Daryl: LET ME MOVE ON TO ECONOMIC.

>> DARYL?

CAN I ADD SOMETHING IN HERE?

JUST AS THE PANDEMIC WAS STARTING, I WAS ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SURVEY.

WHICH WAS REAL EYE‑OPENER.

CENSUS BUREAU CONTACTED ME AND SO ALL OF MY RECEIPTS AND REPORT IT, WHAT I BOUGHT AND IT WAS REAL EYE‑OPENER.

INTERESTING TO HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> NOW, COMING OUT, TWO YEARS LATER AS WE HAVE HAD THESE SUPPLY AND DEMAND ISSUES, AND DISRUPTIONS JUST BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE OF WORKERS.

I MEAN, GOSH, JUST GO AND YOU GET A PLATE LUNCH NOW, IT'S LIKE A PLATE LUNCH IS MORE THAN MINIMUM WAGE.

IN SOME PLACES.

YEAH, IT WAS JUST AN INTERESTING EXPERIENCE JUST LOOKING BACK TO ACTUALLY TAKE STOCK OF WHAT YOU'RE PAYING FOR.

>>Daryl: MAJORITY LEADER BELATTI.

WHAT IS THE PACKAGE?

WHAT DO YOU SEE COMING OUT OF THIS LEGISLATURE IN REGARDS TO IMPROVING PEOPLE'S WAY OF LIFE?

DEALING WITH THE COST OF LIVING.

I MEAN, WE'RE SEEING INFLATION RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE SEEING INFLATION IN HOUSING PRICES.

CLEARLY, MINIMUM WAGE ISN'T THE PANACEA WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT.

WHAT DO YOU DO YOU ABOUT THE HIGH COST OF LIVING IN THIS STATE?

I'VE GOT A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS FROM PEOPLE ASKING ABOUT DIVERSIFICATION.

CASEY ON EMAIL.

WHAT ARE THE NEW PLANS BUILT TO DIVERSIFY ECONOMY AND GROW MODERN HIGHER INCOME JOBS FOR YOUTH AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES?

THESE ARE REALLY BIG COMPLICATED ISSUES AND DO YOU SEE THIS LEGISLATURE BEING BEING ABLE TO TACKLE THOSE IN A COMPREHENSIVE BASIS?

>> I THINK WE ARE.

>> GOING TO WORK ON LOOKING AS WELL BEING FOR WORKING FAMILIES.

AND TALKED ABOUT PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

I WANT TO HOOK INTO THAT BECAUSE I THINK ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE'VE THIS IS WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN DOING.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT'S HELPED TACKLE COST OF LIVING WAS CHILD TAX CREDIT.

THINGS STILL IN PLAY AND I WOULD SAY THAT I WAS LOOKING TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS THE PAID FAMILY LEAVE ISSUE.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AT THE STATE LEVEL.

HERE IS HOW WE CAN HELP WITH EARLY CHILD CARE.

LAST YEAR WE PASSED FRAMEWORK THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO DO BETTER EARLY CHILD CARE.

ANTICIPATE MOVEMENT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

LOOK AT WAYS TO BUILD ON THAT EFFORT.

LOOK AT WAYS TO DRIVE DOWN EARLY CHILD CARE COST.

ONE THOSE COST DRIVERS FOR WORKING FAMILIES.

ISSUE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY WITH THE REVENUES THAT WE HAVE COMING IN, SO WE HAVE ON THE HOUSE SIDE, CHAIR NAKAMURA, LOOKING AT THE RANGE OF THING THAT WE CAN DO.

TO ADDRESS THE SUPPLY ISSUE AT VARIOUS LEVELS.

THERE'S THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS WAITING LIST FOR DHHL.

ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO.

WE HAVE TO, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO ISSUE ADDRESS THAT.

THERE'S LOTS OF OTHER THINGS THAT ARE IMPACTING COST OF LIVING.

ONE LAST THING.

>> I'LL STOP.

I CAN GO ON AND ON.

LIVING WAGE JOBS IS ABSOLUTELY WHERE WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON THINGS.

I THINK THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN PUSHING EARLY COLLEGE, COLLEGE PROM.

>> ALL OF THOSE THINGS DRIVING PEOPLE INTO THOSE HIGH PAYING JOBS, IT'S COLLEGE PROMISE.

I SAID THIS TO BLAZE EARLIER, WE HAVE QUEEN'S AND HPH IN OUR EXPANDING THEIR CAMPUSES.

>> WE KNOW THERE'S A WORKFORCE HEALTH CARE SHORTAGE.

WE KNOW THERE'S SHORTAGES IN CYBER SECURITY.

THESE ARE ALL OF THESE HIGH PAYING JOBS.

THAT WE NEED TO START FUNNELING OUR RESIDENTS TOWARDS.

PART OF THE INTERESTING THING THAT HAPPENED DURING THIS PANDEMIC WAS THERE WAS A LOT OF INDUSTRY, CROSS INDUSTRY COLLABORATION.

SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HAH BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A NEED.

FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS AT ALL LEVELS.

THAT'S THE LIVING WAGE JOBS.

>> THOSE ARE THE KIND THINGS YOU'RE GOING TO SEE US WORKING ON.

>>Daryl: LET ME ASK VAL TO RESPOND TO THAT.

HEARING TAX CREDIT HERE.

HEARING CHILD EDUCATION HERE.

FREE PRESCHOOL.

HEARING THIS HERE.

THIS HERE.

A LONG LIST OF THINGS.

BUT REALLY, DON'T WE NEED TO TAKE SOME BIG WIDE UMBRELLA KIND OF STEPS TO ADDRESS?

WHAT DO YOU THINK THOSE MIGHT BE THAT WOULD ACTUALLY DRIVE THINGS TOWARDS A DIFFERENT PLACE?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

JUST THE LAST THREE YEARS OF BEING IN OFFICE, I FEEL LIKE OH, MY GOSH, I THINK EVEN BELLA SAID LAST YEAR, BEEN IN LONGER THAN ME.

BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH.

I FEEL LIKE THAT KIND CRASH COURSE EXPERIENCING PLETHORA OF THINGS SINCE I'VE BEEN ELECTED INTO OFFICE.

TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

ONE THING I'VE HEARD REPEATEDLY DIVERSIFYING ECONOMY.

TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DRIVER.

TOURISM.

ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS ALONG WITH OTHER THING THAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED TONIGHT, THAT WE'RE LOSING OR LOCAL RESIDENTS BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH.

THEY NEED OPPORTUNITIES HERE TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES.

I THINK WE SHOULD SUPPORT LOCAL DEVELOPMENT.

WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR FUTURE.

IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

CREATE JOBS.

WHETHER IT'S HOUSING PROJECTS, SO WE CAN ADDRESS HOUSING ISSUE.

OR I THINK MAJORITY IS TALKING ABOUT THE P3, PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

WE NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH.

WE NEED TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE.

I WAS A TEACHER.

AND I TEACH IN CLASSROOM WHEN I CAN.

WHEN I CAN SUBSTITUTE.

FAVORITE THINGS IS POTENTIAL KEIKI HAVE.

IF WE'RE NOT CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM, IN THE FUTURE, WHAT KIND OF FUTURE ARE WE LEAVING FOR THEM AND OURSELVES?

I THINK WE HAVE AMAZING CONSTRUCTION WORKFORCE HERE.

WE NEED TO ALLOW JOBS FOR OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS HERE.

HAVING PROJECTS THAT WE CAN BE DEVELOP TO NOT ONLY PROVIDE JOBS, BUT FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES.

SO THAT OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE TO FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE NO OPTIONS HERE.

AND THEN BE FORCED TO LEAVE.

ONE.

REASONS I RAN FOR OFFICE, REALLY, AFTER I BECAME A PARENT, RECOGNIZED WHAT KIND OF FUTURE AM I LEAVING FOR MY CHILDREN?

AND I FELT LIKE I HAD TO STEP UP AND DO SOMETHING TO CREATE SOMETHING FUTURE FOR THEM HERE.

IN THE STATE THAT I LOVE.

>>Daryl: EXACTLY.

BLAZE, WHERE DO YOU SEE THE CONFLICT HERE?

HEARING A LOT OF IDEAS.

WHAT IS THE MAIN CONFLICT YOU SEE IN THE LEGISLATURE OVER THIS ISSUE?

WHAT IS IT PREVENT US FROM SUCCESSFULLY DRIVING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT?

AND WHAT IS THE CONFLICT OF LEGISLATURE OVER THAT?

>> DARYL, YOU COVERED BUILDING FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

>> DIVERSIFYING ECONOMY IS SOMETHING WE HEAR EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

GOT BROUGHT UP EVEN MORE AFTER TOURISM GOT KNOCKED OUT.

AND LOCAL ECONOMY TANKED.

I THINK IT'S NOT JUST WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CAPITOL.

THOUGH TOO.

THERE'S MORE FACTORS THAT POLITICS OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

ECONOMISTS HAVE SAID WE WANT TO DIVERSIFY ECONOMY.

BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT CAN HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

TOOK DECADES GET AWAY FROM BIG AGRICULTURE.

BEFORE TOURISM TOOK OVER.

AND IT'S LIKE THE GUYS AT U.H.

SAID, IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO TAKE JUST AS LONG TO GET AWAY FROM TOURISM.

AND BUILD THAT NEXT LEG OF OUR ECONOMIC STOOL TO PROP UPS.

THAT BEING SAID, PROP US UP.

THERE COULD BE SOME MOVEMENT IN THE NEAR TERM TO GET THAT PROCESS GOING.

IT'S JUST OVER HOW DO WE WANT TO DO THAT AND WHICH INDUSTRIES DO WE WANT TO GO AFTER?

>> CAN I JUMP IN HERE?

I LOVE SOME OF THE ECONOMIC WORK THAT THE UNIVERSITY IS DOING.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN, U.H.

BROUGHT OUT KATE.

ECONOMIST FROM BRITAIN.

WHO TALKS ABOUT CIRCULAR ECONOMICS.

AND REGENERATIVE ECONOMICS I THINK THERE'S A VERY INTERESTING CONVERSATION HAPPENING ON RIGHT NOW, AMONGST ALOHA AINA GROUPS.

ALOHA AINA FUTURES GROUPS.

AND SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CIRCULAR ECONOMIES, AND HOW DO WE HAVE REGENERATIVE TOURISM, WE KNOW THAT TOURISM IS GOING TO BE CONTINUED TO BE A MAJOR STOOL.

MAJOR PILLAR IN OUR ECONOMY.

BUT THE CONVERSATION THAT WE HAD DURING THE PANDEMIC WAS, HOW DO WE HAVE REGENERATIVE TOURISM.

HOW DO WE HAVE TOURISM THAT CONTRIBUTES TO HAWAII?

HOW CAN WE BETTER MANAGE SO THAT COMMUNITIES ARE NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THE TOURISTS.

VERY INTERESTING THING HAPPENING.

WE STARTED IT LAST YEAR.

WE'RE GIVING TOOLS TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO AGENCIES LIKE DLNR TO DO THINGS LIKE DYNAMIC PRICING.

SO THAT WE CAN CONTROL AND MANAGE TOURISM BETTER.

SO THIS KIND OF FEEDS INTO THIS NOTION OF REGENERATIVE TOURISM IN THE ECONOMY.

GREEN FEES.

>> HOW DO WE MAKE THIS WORK FOR US BETTER?

I'LL SHIFT THIS, BLAZE, TO WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT.

BIG AGRICULTURE.

WE ARE SEEING LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION BECOMING CRITICAL.

WE KNOW HOW CRITICAL THAT WAS TOWARDS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

ARE WE GOING IN THE BLINK OF I'M GOING FROM ROBUST SEED CORING COMPANIES TO LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION?

NO.

PARALLEL DEVELOPMENT.

AGAIN WHERE WE INVEST OUR MONIES IN AND LAST YEAR, WE SET THE STAGE.SETTING GOALS FOR OUR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

FOR PSD.

FOR OUR HOSPITALS.

FOR FOOD PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION AND PURCHASING.

SO WE HAD TO KEEP DRIVING THAT.

SO I THINK I'M ALSO INTERESTED IN WHAT WE'RE GOING TO POTENTIALLY DO FOR FOOD SUSTAINABILITY.

BIG ISSUES.

WHEN WE DO, WE ADDRESS.

>> ABOUT FOOD SUSTAINABILITY AND WE'RE LOOKING AT MORE LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION.

ALSO ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

BECAUSE THE BETTER AGRICULTURE PRACTICES WE HAVE HERE, THE MORE CARBON SYNC WE HAVE.

GOOD THING.

>>Daryl: I GOT TO STOP YOU.

I WANT TO HONOR OUR VIEWERS BY ASKING THESE QUESTIONS.

LINDA FROM PEARL CITY.

I'M 80 YEARS OLD.

I GO TO THE MARKET AND CAN BARELY AFFORD GROCERIES.

THE PRICES KEEP RISING.

>> HOW WILL PEOPLE ON FIXED INCOME AFFORD THE RISING PRICES?

JUST THE OTHER DAY, THERE WAS A PROPUBLIC ARTICLE SAID STATE OF HAWAII IS HOARDING BASICALLY WELFARE MONEY BY LETTING IT STACK UP IN THE BUDGET.

FEDERAL MONEY COMES IN.

JUST STACKS UP.

I THINK 350, TO $400 MILLION SURPLUS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK MIGHT HAPPEN THIS YEAR TO ACTUALLY ADJUST THESE PEOPLE?

LIKE LINDA.

JUST CAN'T AFFORD TO GET BY IN NEED DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

MORE DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

DO YOU SEE ANY WILL AT THE LEGISLATURE FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

ON THE PUBLIC RADIO, I TALKED TO NUMBER OF SMALL BUSINESSES, SMALL FARMERS, FOLKS WHO ARE REALLY TRYING TO WORK ON THAT SUSTAINABILITY GOAL.

TO PRODUCE THE FOOD THAT WE NEED TO EAT.

DURING THIS PANDEMIC, WE CERTAINLY SAW ALL THE ALOHA FOLKS, BUY YOUR PRODUCE.

GIVE IT TO PEOPLE WHO REALLY NEED IT.

AND SO YEAH, MY HEART GOES OUT TO THAT SENIOR ON FIXED INCOME BECAUSE WHAT DO YOU DO?

EAT LESS?

OR YOU LOOK FOR THE BARGAINS OR THE SECONDS.

IF YOU'RE EATING PRODUCE, THAT IS GROWN HERE IN HAWAII, IT'S FRESHER, BETTER FOR YOU, TASTES BETTER.

I HAD SOME LOCAL CELERY.

I WAS LIKE, WOW, THIS IS AWESOME.

>>Daryl: LET ME ASK YOU.

REPRESENTATIVE OKAMOTO.

ON THIS SUBJECT ABOUT DIRECT AID TO PEOPLE, AND WELFARE, I KNOW WE DON'T CALL IT WELFARE ANY MORE.

I THINK THAT'S THE TERM PEOPLE USE.

BILLION DOLLARS SURPLUS WE'RE LOOKING AT.

AT LEAST.

MAYBE EVEN MORE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

DO YOU THINK THAT BILLION DOLLARS SHOULD BE RECIRCULATED BACK INTO TO PEOPLE IN THE ECONOMY?

OR DO YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE PUT AWAY FOR A RAINY DAY, SEEMS TO BE OPINION OF SOME LAWMAKERS?

>> YEAH, I WANT TO SAY, LISTEN TO PART OF MAJORITY LEADER AND BLAZE ACTUALLY, ON THEIR CIVIL BEAT FACEBOOK PANEL TODAY.

AND TALKED ABOUT THE BILLION DOLLARS SURPLUS.

WAS NICE TO HEAR.

BECAUSE LAST YEAR, WE HAD $2 BILLION DEFICIT.

I THINK WE NEED TO ADDRESS THINGS.

I AM ONE THAT I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE BUT I THINK THAT SHOULD BE REGULATED BETTER.

DEFINITELY IN THE CASE OF OUR KUPUNA, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE.

THEY SPENT THEIR LIVES CONTRIBUTING TO OUR ECONOMY AND TO US AS A FUTURE OF THE STATE.

BUT WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

SOME THINGS, COULD REALLY ADDRESS, OR MAYBE DISCUSS, IS MAYBE EXEMPTING CERTAIN THINGS.

LIKE PRODUCE.

G.E.T.

FROM THOSE THINGS.

REALLY, ADDRESS THINGS THEY GROUND LEVEL VERSUS ABSTRACT.

>> WE NEED TO HAVE CONCRETE THINGS WE CAN TELL OUR CONSTITUENTS.

WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS.

ELIMINATE G.E.T.

FROM PRODUCE.

OR FROM YOUR BUYING OF FOOD.

GROCERIES.

MEDICATIONS.

THOSE ARE THINGS THAT I KNOW OUR KUPUNA RELY ON AND I RELY ON IT AS A MOM.

EVERY DAY PURCHASES AND THINGS THAT WE NEED TO SURVIVE ON, THAT IS ONE THING.

I'M NOT AGAINST OFFERING ASSISTANCE BUT I THINK THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE GUIDELINES AND IT SHOULD NEVER BE SOMETHING NEVER ENDING.

>> WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE IS STORIES OF WELFARE SYSTEM BEING MISUSED.

>> WE NEED TO REALLY MANAGE THAT.

SO THAT THE PEOPLE THAT REALLY NEED IT ARE GETTING RESOURCES THEY NEED.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOME OF OUR SURPLUS MONEY GOING TO FIXING THE ROADS, FIXING OUR, MAKE SURE WE HAVE WATER.

EVERY DAY THINGS THAT WE USE AND NEED IN OUR LIVES.

>>Daryl: LET ME ASK YOU.

>> SOMETHING THAT I THINK SHOULD ALSO BE ADDRESSED.

>> COULD USE THE MONEY TOWARDS THAT.

>>Daryl: YOU'VE BEEN COVERING LEGISLATURE LONG ENOUGH TO HAVE SEEN PEOPLE TALK TAX RELIEF AND REFORM TO SEE IT GO BY THE WAYSIDE.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM THAT YOU SEE WITH THE LEGISLATURE DEALING WITH FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES.

CUT 4% OFFICER OF FOOD OR 4% OFF OF DRUGS OR 4% OFF OF RENT.

ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE A SURPLUS.

>> DO YOU SEE ANY PROSPECT OF SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENING THIS YEAR?

>> LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE SEE BILLS THAT BRING UP THOSE ISSUES LOOK TO AXE G.E.T.

ON MEDICAL SUPPLIES.

THINGS LIKE FOOD.

I'VE SEEN BILL TO CUT THE G.E.T.

ON SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND THOSE THINGS YOU HAVE TO ROUTINELY BUY.

NEVER GET THROUGH.

I CAN'T REMEMBER EXACTLY, BUT I RECALL ARGUMENTS ALREADY A LOT OF G.E.T.

EXEMPTIONS THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION REPORTS OUT EVERY YEAR.

IT'S A PRETTY BIG SUM ON WHAT GETS EXEMPTED.

REASON SO YOU DON'T END UP WITH TAXPAYOR, END UP TAXING SALE OF SOME KIND OF ITEM MULTIPLE TIMES.

THAT CAN BE AN ISSUE AS TO WHY THOSE TAX EXEMPTS DON'T GET THROUGH.

>>Daryl: REPRESENTATIVE BELATTI, WHY NOT CUT THE EXCISE TAX ON RENT?

I HAVE TO PAY THAT BILL ON RENTAL HOUSE.

NEXT TEN DAYS.

I MEAN.

>> I THINK WE ARE LOOKING AT TAX RELIEF PROPOSALS.

DON'T KNOW THAT ELIMINATING G.E.T.

OR REDUCE.

ALREADY MANY EXEMPTIONS.

WE'RE LOOK AT EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

TALK ABOUT GETTING MONEY INTO WORKING FAMILIES POCKETS, THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF MEASURES.

>> EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT IS ACTUALLY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

BIPARTISAN EFFORT.

ACTUALLY ARE BEING THE IDEA INITIALLY.

SO THERE'S OTHER TAX RELIEF PROPOSALS THAT WE CAN LOOK AT.

RENTER'S CREDIT, FOOD CREDIT.

THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOK A IN TERMS OF TAX RELIEF.

WITH KUPUNA SERVICE, I HAVE TO APOLOGIZE.

>> I NEED TO CIRCLE BACK WITH OUR KUPUNA CAUCUS CONVENORS.

HAWAII HAS HAD KUPUNA CARE AND KUPUNA CAREGIVER SERVICES THAT HAVE CONTINUED EVEN THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

SO WE HAVE LONG DONE A GOOD JOB OF TRYING TO ASSIST KUPUNA ESPECIALLY ARE IN NEED.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REVISIT THOSE PROGRAM AS WELL AND SEE HOW THEY'RE DOING TO MAKE SURE THE NEED IS BEING ADDRESSED THROUGH THE PROGRAMS WE ALREADY HAVE.

>>Daryl: LET ME THROW OUT THIS ONE.

>> 30 SECONDS.

YOU ASKED EARLIER ABOUT THE SHOULD WE PUT THE SURPLUS, WHAT SHOULD WE DO WITH IT?

ONE THING I HEARD, LAST 2 YEARS, WITH THE RAINY‑DAY FUND, UNLIKE PROBABLY MANY PEOPLE THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THEIR LIVES, RAINY DAY.

IT IS A RAINY DAY.

ECONOMY SHUTDOWN, AND WE AT A STANDSTILL, GOVERNMENT HAD NOTHING COMING IN BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING COMING INTO THE STATE.

THAT TO ME QUALIFIES FOR A RAINY DAY.

SO I THINK MANY WAYS, WE NEED TO REALLY ADDRESS THAT.

BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THE LAST YEAR‑AND‑A‑HALF, WHICH ARE IN A DIRE SITUATION.

MANY PEOPLE LIKE YOU MENTIONED KUPUNA CALLED IN, THEY'RE IN NEED OF SUPPORT NOW.

THERE'S A RAINY DAY, IT IS NOW.

>>Daryl: WE'VE GOT ABOUT 15, 20 MINUTES LEFT.

I WANT TO GET TO SOME.

TOUGHER ISSUES HERE.

JACOB ON FACEBOOK.

RANKED 20 OUT OF 50.

EDUCATIONAL QUALITY.

WILL THE STATE STRENGTHEN EDUCATIONAL QUALITY AND OUTCOMES.

>> START WITH REPRESENTATIVE OKAMOTO.

YOU MENTIONED BOTH YOU AND DELLA AU BELATTI ARE PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENTS.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

SCHOOL SYSTEM RIGHT NOW IS STRUGGLING WITH COVID.

IS IT THE WAY THE SYSTEM IS RUN?

OR ARE THEY UNDER FUNDED?

>> IT'S A MIXTURE OF THINGS.

COMBINATION OF THINGS.

LIKE YOU MENTIONED, I WAS A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER.

BOTH DELLA AND I HAVE KIDS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM ITCH WENT TO PUBLIC SCHOOL AND I STILL TEACH WHEN I CAN.

SCHOOLS ARE WORKING REALLY HARD WITH WHAT THEY'RE GIVEN.

>> IN THE VERY BEGINNING, VERY CHALLENGES BECAUSE WHAT THEY WERE TOLD, EVERYTHING WAS BASED ON WHAT THE DOH WAS GIVING TO THEM DOWN TO THE HSTA WAS KIND OF IMPLEMENTING OR AFFECTING.

WE NEED TO REALLY, AT THIS POINT, UNDERSTAND THAT THE BEST WAY TO SERVICE ANY KIND OF FUTURE IS TO MAKE SURE OUR KEIKI ARE GETTING EDUCATED.

I KNOW, I'M PROUD OF THE SCHOOLS THAT MY DAUGHTERS GO TO.

IT'S NOT PERFECT.

YOU CAN'T STOP THE VIRUS FROM SPREADING.

WE KNOW THAT NOW.

2 YEARS LATER.

WE CAN DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT IF OUR CHILD GOING TO SCHOOL, NOT SHOWING SYMPTOMS, TEACHERS ARE HAVING SYMPTOMS.

NOT GOING TO SCHOOL.

THEY CAN MITIGATE THINGS.

RIGHT NOW, MY THIRD GRADER IS IN A BUBBLE ONLY PLAYS WITH PEOPLE IN HER CLASS.

WHICH MAKES ME A LITTLE SAD BUT AT LEAST SHE CAN BE IN SCHOOL.

SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT REALLY FUTURE, WE HAVE TO FIRST OF ALL MAKE SURE THAT OUR KEIKI ARE IN SCHOOL.

BECAUSE OUR TESTING ASSESSMENT LEVELS HAVE DROPPED.

AND REALLY, THE LAST YEAR‑AND‑A‑HALF, DISSERVICE TO OUR KEIKI.

>> DIDN'T GET EDUCATION THEY DESERVE.

>>Daryl: YOU COVERED THIS ISSUE ENOUGH.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE WAY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IS FUNDED AND TREATED BY THE LEGISLATURE?

IN YOUR OPINION?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS LIKE WHEN WE HAD THE WALKOUT STRIKE.

THAT WAS JUST HORRIBLE TIME.

>> MY FIRST YEAR.

>> YEAH.

AND YOU KNOW, THE TEACHERS, LOOKED, SHORTAGES THAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE CLASSROOM.

I THINK IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO GET A RAISE.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WORKING WAGE AND THEIR SALARIES ARE AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE COUNTRY.

AND REALLY HIGH COST OF LIVING HERE.

SO I THINK THIS IS THE YEAR YOU'RE GOING TO SEE SOME OF THOSE RAISES.

WE'VE HEARD OVER THE YEARS ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION.

BUT I THINK THAT THEY HAVE RETAIN TEACHERS, THEY HAVE TO ATTRACT NEW TEACHERS.

SUPPORT THE ONES THAT ARE IN THERE.

AND PAY THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE RAISING OUR KEIKI.

TEACHING FUTURE GENERATIONS.

GOT TO DO SOMETHING FOR THAT.

>>Daryl: DELLA AU BELATTI, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW YOU DON'T CONTROL HOW MUCH THE TEACHERS ARE PAID.

THAT'S NOT THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT'S BETWEEN THE UNION AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

OR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

I'M SURE IF YOU THREW A LOT OF MONEY AT THEM, THEY MIGHT FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE OFFERING RAISES AND SO ON.

OFTEN RUN OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

SO ON.

WHAT DO YOU SEE THE LEGISLATURE DOING THIS YEAR TO START MOVING THE NEEDLE ON PUBLIC EDUCATION?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

I THINK OUR EDUCATION CARRY HAS BEEN FOCUSING ON QUALITY EDUCATION.

THAT IS NOT, THAT IS ABOUT SUPPORTING THE TEACHERS, MOVING PROGRAMS THAT THEY'RE DOING.

LOOKING AT COMPUTER LITERACY AND ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS WE NEED TO DO.

I THINK IT'S ABOUT INVESTING IN THE SCHOOLS.

WE SAW THEY NEEDED TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE TO GO VIRTUAL.

THAT IS ONLY GOING TO PERSIST.

THOSE KINDS OF INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS IN SCHOOLS ARE ALSO SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS.

HERE IS ANOTHER THING.

AS WE ADDRESS THE COST OF LIVING ISSUES, FOR EVERYBODY, THAT IS ALSO ADDRESSING THE COST OF LIVING ISSUES FOR TEACHERS AS WELL.

SO I HOPE WE'RE GOING AT SOME POINT, BE TALKING ABOUT MORE WORKFORCE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.

NOT JUST THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR THE AFFORDABLE RENTALS.

>> PUT IN A LOT OF MONEY.

LOOK AT HOW RE WE GOING GOING TO DO AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACROSS THE SPECTRUM.

THAT'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER WAY THAT WE HOPEFULLY, IN ADDITION TO SALARIES THAT MIGHT, WHAT THE GOVERNOR CAN DO, COLLECTIVE BARGAINING WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE OTHER LEVERS OF COST OF LIVING TO HELP TEACHERS.

SO I THINK HOUSING MAY BE A PIECE OF IT AT SOME POINT.

>>Daryl: COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ONE FROM PAUL ON FACEBOOK.

USE TAX DOLLARS TO FUND CBD LIKE CALIFORNIA.

WHAT IS YOUR HANDICAP ON THAT RECREATIONAL AND TAXING MARIJUANA?

>> FIRST SESSION I COVERED, FIRST STORY I WROTE.

LEGALIZE MARIJUANA.

STILL HASN'T HAPPENED.

PEOPLE TRY YEARS TO GET THAT PASSED.

I THINK THAT YEAR PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS PLANS TO INTRODUCE A BILL THAT WILL LEGAL RECREATIONAL POT.

I DON'T SEE PAKALOLO GETTING LEGALIZED ANY TIME SOON.

>>Daryl: REPRESENTATIVE BELATTI, GET ME TEN SECONDS ON RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT IS GOING TO RISE TO THE LEVELS WE'RE GOING TO TACKLE THIS YEAR.

THERE ARE PROGRESSIVES VERY INTERESTED ALSO IN THAT.

I WANT TO THROW OUT ISSUE THAT I'M INTERESTED IN.

I HAVEN'T GOTTEN A QUESTION ON IT.

>> I'M GOING TO CHEAT A LITTLE BIT.

THIS ISSUE ABOUT USING THE STADIUM PROPERTY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, INSTEAD OF BIG STADIUM, YOU'VE GOT SEVERAL GOVERNORS BASICALLY SAYING THAT MAKES MUCH MORE SENSE.

HAVE U.H.

HAVE A STADIUM SOMEWHERE ELSE.

DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AT MANOA.

COULD BE AT WEST OAHU.

I WOULD LIKE VAL, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

DO YOU THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE SPENDING $350 MILLION ON STADIUM GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WE'RE IN?

>> I'M GOING TO TAKE A QUICK LIBERTY TO TAKE MY TEN SECONDS TO ANSWER THE MARIJUANA THING.

GOING BACK TO THAT, NO MATTER WHAT WE DO, THE D.O.E.

GETS 1/8 OF OUR STATE BUDGET.

ABOUT 1/8.

$2 BILLION.

I THINK IT'S NOT JUST ISSUE OF HOW MUCH MONEY WE THROW AT IT OR GIVE TO THEM.

IT'S ABOUT MANAGING THE MONEY THEY GET.

WE NEED TO FUND EDUCATION COMPLETELY.

WE'RE ONE, I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY OTHER STATES LIKE OURS.

WE HAVE ONE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

FOR THE ENTIRE STATE.

SO I FEEL THAT WE NEED TO TAKE AWAY WASTE FROM THE D.O.E.

AND MANAGE THAT MONEY BETTER.

BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT WE LEGALIZE OR TAX AND GIVEN TO THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, IF WE CAN'T MANAGE THE MONEY PROPERLY, IT'S NEVER GOING TO BE SOLVED.

MY FOCUS AGAIN I SUPPORT TEACHERS.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S RAISING WAGES IS WHAT IS GOING TO ANSWER THE QUESTION.

ANSWER THE ISSUE.

COST OF LIVING AND OTHER ISSUES WE TALKED ABOUT.

>> NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS WELL.

YOU TALKED ABOUT THE STADIUM.

I STATED BEFORE, I'M FOR CREATING JOBS FOR OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS.

AND YOU KNOW, THAT WAS A HARD DECISION THAT WE VOTED ON WITH THE STADIUM.

A LOT MONEY.

FISCAL CONSERVATIVE, I DON'T LIKE TO EASILY AGREE TO THINGS SPEND TAXPAYOR DOLLARS.

WE NEED TO REALLY FIGURE OUT WAY A WAY.

MORE THAN JUST A STADIUM.

OTHER AREAS HAVE A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THINGS FOR THINGS FOR THE ENTIRE STATE TO USE, HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, COLLEGE LEVEL.

INVEST WISELY IN THAT.

STADIUM GOAL TO HAVE IT ALONG THE RAIL, HAVE HOUSING AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

SO I'M NOT SURE IF THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS.

CRINGE AT THE PRICE TAG.

I THINK IF WE COULD KEEP IT TO THE WHAT WE AGREE ON, AND NOT HAVE AGAIN BOTTOMLESS PIT OF EXPENDITURES INVESTMENT THAT THE STATE CAN BENEFIT FROM.

>>Daryl: DELLA AU BELATTI ON THE STADIUM.

>> I THINK WE JUST CAME OF THAT CONVERSATION.

THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERNS.

SO THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS AROUND IT.

SHOULD IT ALL JUST BE AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

I DON'T THINK THAT IS THE SOLUTION EITHER.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE PLACE, AREA LEGISLATORS HAVE WANTED IT TO BE A PLACE OF ECONOMIC ENGINE.

CAN YOU HAVE THAT MULTIKIND OF USE PLACE.

A COMBINATION OF TOURISM AND SPORT.

I THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS AROUND THAT AS WELL.

>>Daryl: KATHRYN,.

>> DARYL?

QUICK.

I KNOW YOU'VE GOT HOUSE REPRESENTATION HERE TONIGHT.

SENATE DID PUT OUT A LIST OF THEIR PRIORITIES AND ON THEIR SPECIFICALLY IS THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.

THERE AT THE STADIUM.

SO THAT IS ONE OF THEIR PRIORITIES FOR SURE.

>>Daryl: YOU KNOW, YOU DID A GREAT SHOW.

>> I WAS LISTENING TO IT THE GOVERNORS ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE.

HOW DID YOU COME AWAY FROM HEARING THEIR OPINIONS?

DO YOU FEEL THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RELOOKED AT AGAIN?

>> WELL, I KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING EVEN WITH THE RED HILL DEVELOPMENT.

MAKES YOU JUST WONDER ABOUT THAT AREA.

AND THE VULNERABILITY OF THAT AREA.

AND THOSE PLANS.

IF FUEL GETS INTO OUR DRINKING WATER FOR THE LARGER PART OF HONOLULU, HOW DOES THAT AFFECT DEVELOPMENT?

HOW WILL THE STADIUM PLANS, WILL THAT GO BY THE WAYSIDE?

ALL THE OTHER LARGE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT FOLKS WANT TO SEE.

SO YEAH, IT IS WORTH PICKING UP AND TURNING STONE OVER.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FORWARD?

>>Daryl: LET ME CAN, THIS IS BECKY BY EMAIL.

SAYS, DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH TO REALLY ADDRESS REALITY PEOPLE ARE SADLY CHOOSING TO LIVE IN OUR PARKS, JUST WRONG FOR SUCH A WEALTHY STATE TO HAVE DOING THEIR LAUNDRY IN FOUNTAIN IS NOT HAVING ACCESS TO PLACES TO LEAVE HUMAN WASTE.

NOT HOUSING.

IT'S MENTAL HEALTH.

DELLA AU BELATTI, YOU WERE HEALTH CHAIR PREVIOUSLY.

HAVE WE DONE ENOUGH?

I MEAN, JUST SEEMS LIKE HOMELESSNESS AND MENTAL ILLNESS IS STILL IN OUR FACE ALL THE TIME.

>> YEAH, THAT IS THE ONE OF THE TOUGHEST NUTS TO CRACK.

I WOULD SAY THAT THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING WITH OHANA ZONES, HOUSING FIRST, WRAPAROUND SERVICES, THOSE THINGS ACTUALLY HELPED US DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SO WE KNOW THAT I THINK IT WAS TWO YEARS, THREE YEARS AGO, WE FIRST INVESTED IN OHANA ZONES.

SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COME BACK AND RELOOK AT THOSE THINGS.

AND FUND THOSE THINGS THAT WORKED.

I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS NOT JUST ‑‑ IT'S NOT JUST MENTAL HEALTH IN ADULTS.

ONE OF THINGS I'VE BEEN VERY CONCERNED ABOUT, MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR STUDENTS.

OF OUR CHILDREN.

THIS PANDEMIC HAS REALLY AFFECTED THEM.

TREMENDOUSLY.

SHUTTER TO THINK WHAT THE SUICIDE RATES MAY BE AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

REALLY HAVE TO LIKE DOUBLE DOWN ON THIS ISSUE.

MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE FOR THE HOMELESS POPULATION AND ALSO FOR PEOPLE GENERALLY.

BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING.

>>Daryl: ANOTHER QUESTION.

BLAZE, DO YOU WANT TO ‑‑ I KEEP ASKING YOU TO HANDICAP STUFF.

DO YOU THINK THAT THEY CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE FIREWORKS?

FROM JACKIE FROM KAPOLEI.

WHAT IS THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO ABOUT FIREWORKS?

IS THERE EVEN A SOLUTION TO ANYWHERE NEARBY FOR THAT?

>> I DON'T THINK ANYTHING IS GOING TO MOVE.

WE DO KNOW COUPLE THING THEY COULD DO IF THE STATE WANTED TO CRACK DOWN.

FIREWORKS, IT'S BEEN IDEA THAT HAS BEEN FLOATED YEARS PAST.

INSPECTORS CONTAINERS AT THE DOCKS.

HOW THEY GET IN.

BILLS COME UP IN THE LEGISLATURE, MATSON AND WORKERR, ILW COMES OUT IN OPPOSITION TO IT AND BILL DOESN'T HAPPEN.

I THINK THE LAST TIME PUSHED FOR THAT MATSON WAS SAYING IT WOULD SLOW DOWN OPERATIONS.

AT THE DOCK.

IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THIS IN THE OFFICE.

OTHER WEEK.

NUMBER ONE ISSUE HAND WRINGING OVER NEW YEAR'S EVE.

POLICE DON'T STEP UP.

NO STRONGER ENFORCEMENT MEASURE.

DON'T SEE ANYTHING ON THE HORIZON TO TAP DOWN ON FIREWORKS.

>>Daryl: GOT ABOUT 3 MINUTES TO GO.

I'M HESITANT TO THROW THIS OUT.

KIND OF BIG ISSUE.

PUT IT TO DELLA AU BELATTI.

THE SUPREME COURT KIND OF TOSSED YOU GUYS A CURVE BALL BY SAYING YOU CAN'T GUT AND REPLACE BILLS ANY MORE.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO CRIMP YOUR ABILITY TO RESPOND TO NEW THINGS THAT HAPPEN DURING THE SESSION?

ONLY GOT TIME FOR ABOUT A MINUTE'S LONG ANSWER.

>> YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO DEAL WITH THAT.

I THINK FOR THE HOUSE, GERMANENESS IS THE ISSUE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT HOW WE USE OUR SHORT FORM BILLS BECAUSE THAT IS TYPICALLY BEEN THE WAY IN WHICH USE TO DEAL WITH EMERGENCIES.

ABOUT BILL MANAGEMENT.

IDEA MANAGEMENT.

HOW YOU'RE MOVING YOUR IDEAS THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH IT.

WORK WITH THE SUPREME COURT DECISION.

THEY MADE A RULING AN WE'RE GOING TO FOR THE MOST PART, HOUSE RULES HAVE REALLY REALLY TRIED TO COMPLY AND MAKE SURE ALL OF THOSE TIMELINES WERE HIT.

TO PROVIDE PUBLIC ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY AND REVIEW AND ALL OF THAT KIND OF TESTIMONY IN THAT KIND OF INVOLVEMENT WITH THE PUBLIC.

>>Daryl: VAL BRIEFLY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE THINGS IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> I'M HOPING IT CHANGES A LOT.

I UNDERSTAND INITIAL REASON FOR WHEN THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AND OUR COMMUNITIES NEED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, BUT OVER THE YEARS, DEFINITELY, THIS PRACTICE HAS BEEN MISUSED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

GOES BACK TO SAID IN THE BEGINNING.

NEED TO JUST REINSTATE SOMEHOW THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE IN US AND BY AVOIDING THIS TYPE OF PRACTICE OF GUT AND REPLACE, BILL IS GIVEN BLANK TITLE, IN RELATION TO EDUCATION, OR SOMETHING, COMPLETELY CHANGES OVER THE COURSE OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

REALLY NEED TO BE HONEST AND TRANSPARENT.

MAKING SURE THAT'S PUBLIC KNOWS WHAT WE'RE DOING.

NOT RUSHING LEGISLATION.

NOT QUICKLY GETTING THINGS SNUCK BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

BECAUSE THAT IS NOT EVER GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WILL ALLOW PUBLIC TO TRUST US.

>> WE REALLY NEED THAT AT THIS TIME.

>>Daryl: GREAT.

WE PRETTY MUCH RUN OUT OF TIME.

I DO WANT TO ON THAT SUBJECT, PUT IN A PLUG FOR THE LEGISLATIVE WEBSITE.

IT IS REALLY PRETTY GOOD, FOLKS.

YOU CAN GO BACK AND WATCH HEARINGS THAT TAKE PLACE MONTHS AGO.

WATCH HEARINGS IN REAL TIME AND SOME OF THEM ARE PRETTY INTERESTING.

MY COLLEAGUES LAUGH AT ME WHEN I SAY THAT.

BUT THEY'RE PRETTY INTERESTING.

YOU CAN GET YOUR WORD IN.

IT'S WAY BETTER THAN IT'S EVER BEEN.

JUST GOOGLE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE.

IT WILL COME UP.

I HIGHLY ENDORSE IT.

WRAP IT UP.

MAHALO TO YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT – AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS ‑ DEMOCRATIC HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER DELLA AU BELATTI, MINORITY LEADER IN THE HOUSE, REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE VAL OKIMOTO, JOURNALIST CATHERINE CRUZ WITH HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO, AND HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT REPORTER BLAZE LOVELL.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, MAUI COUNTY VOTERS WILL DECIDE THE FATE OF A NUMBER OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE MAUI COUNTY CHARTER IN THIS YEAR’S ELECTION.

AMONG THE BALLOT AMENDMENTS, REWORKING HOW COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE ELECTED AND INCREASING HIRING REQUIREMENTS FOR FUTURE MAUI POLICE CHIEFS.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M DARYL HUFF FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII, ALOHA!