THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE STARTED ITS 2021 SESSION UNCERTAIN HOW IT WOULD FUND ANYTHING GIVEN THE DIRE PREDICTIONS OF A 1.4 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET SHORTFALL.

BUT THE SITUATION CHANGED WITH AN INFLUX OF FEDERAL DOLLARS AND A BETTER ECONOMIC OUTLOOK AS TOURISM REOPENED.

LAWMAKERS DEBATED ISSUES LIKE RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE, LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA AND THE FUTURE OF ALOHA STADIUM.

WE’LL DISCUSS THE POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES.

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.

THE 2021 STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WRAPPED UP A WEEK AGO.

IT BEGAN WITH A GRIM OUTLOOK BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC FALLOUT FROM THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC.

BUT A HUGE BOOST IN FEDERAL AID, HELPED WEATHER THE FINANCIAL STORM.

WITH THE MONEY, THE STATE AVOIDED TEACHER AND PUBLIC WORKER FURLOUGHS AND LAYOFFS AND PROTECTED FUNDING FOR CRITICAL SOCIAL SERVICES.

BUT DURING THIS UNPRECEDENTED TIME, DID LAWMAKERS DO ENOUGH TO MAKE HAWAII BETTER?

WE’LL ASK OUR PANEL TONIGHT.

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

YOU CAN EMAIL, CALL OR TWEET 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 SENATOR RON KOUCHI HAS BEEN SERVING KAUAI AND NIIHAU SINCE 2010.

HE’S BEEN SENATE PRESIDENT FOR FIVE YEARS.

PRIOR TO HIS TIME AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE, KOUCHI WAS ELECTED TO THE KAUAI COUNTY COUNCIL 11 TIMES, SERVING 22 YEARS.

DEMOCRAT SCOTT SAIKI WAS FIRST ELECTED TO THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN 1994.

THE CURRENT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SERVES AREAS OF MCCULLY, KAHEKA, KAKAAKO AND DOWNTOWN.

THIS YEAR HE WAS ALSO THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE COVID 19 COMMITTEE.

CHAD BLAIR IS THE POLITICS AND OPINION EDITOR FOR HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT.

IN HIS ROLE, HE COVERS HOW POLITICAL AND POLICY DECISIONS IMPACT THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII.

AND COLIN MOORE IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE PUBLIC POLICY CENTER AND AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA.

>>Keahi: START OFF WITH THAT FIRST QUESTION IN THIS SET UP HERE.

WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR, WHAT DID YOU GUYS DO THIS YEAR ACTUALLY MADE HAWAII BETTER?

VERY REACTIVE SESSION IN TERMS WAITING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE FEDS WERE DOING.

SENATOR KOUCHI AND REPRESENTATIVE SAIKI, PLEASE GIVE US AND IDEA, WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT PASSED GOING TO HAVE THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE STATE.

>> WELL, I THINK THE MOST POSITIVE THING THAT WE COULD DO IS ENSURE THAT WE DID HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET AND WELL, MUCH IS SAID ABOUT THE LEGISLATORS WORKING HARD TO PROTECT THE JOBS OF UNION MEMBERS WHO VOTE FOR US, WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO REBUILD THE ECONOMY, WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS DONE, IF WE DON'T HAVE EMPLOYEE IT'S SHOWING UP TO WORK, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO PROCESS PERMITS.

ONE OF THE BIG OBSTACLES WE FACE COMING OUT OF THE THE LAST BIG RECESSION AND HAVING FURLOUGH DAYS IS HAVING PERMITS BACKING UP.

AND NOT GETTING THINGS GOING THROUGH THE PIPELINE SO THAT WHEN BUSINESSES READY GO, WE COULDN'T GET THEM STARTED.

WHEN YOU FURLOUGH ACROSS THE BOARD AND PEOPLE WHO ARE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION WHO GO WORK AND WORK THEY DO THE WORK THEY PERFORM GENERATES REVENUE FOR THE STATE, AND THEY'RE AT HOME TWO DAYS A MONTH, THOSE ARE TWO DAYS A MONTH THAT WE'RE NOT GETTING THE REVENUE PUSHED THROUGH THE PIPELINE.

AND GETTING OUT TO PEOPLE WHEN PEOPLE WANT THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS PROCESSED CORRECTLY.

AND GETTING OUR FOOD STAMP OR SNAP PROGRAM DISTRIBUTED, YOU NEED THE EMPLOYEES THERE TO PERFORM THE WORK AND SO THAT WAS OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE.

THE SECOND THING THAT WE HAVEN'T COMPLETED YET BUT I BELIEVE THAT WE'RE FUNDAMENTALLY GOING TO CHANGE THE WAY THAT WE DELIVER PUBLIC EDUCATION, IN THE STATE, THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT.

AND THE ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY AND SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENTS WE'VE ALREADY PUT TO BROADBAND UPGRADES WHAT WE CAN DELIVER IN K THROUGH 12, WHAT WE CAN DELIVER IN HIGHER EDUCATION, TELEMEDICINE HAS ADVANCED MAYBE FIVE YEARS OR MORE,.

>>Daryl: LET ME INTERRUPT YOU.

I WANT TO GIVE REPRESENTATIVE SAIKI A CHANCE TO TALK.

I WANT TO CIRCLE BACK TO THOSE ISSUES IF MORE DETAIL LATER ON.

SPEAKER SAIKI, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS SOMETHING POSITIVE?

WE KNOW WE ALL DODGED A BULLET OR YOU FOLKS DODGED A BULLET WITH THE HELP OF THE FEDS.

BUT WHAT ABOUT SOMETHING POSITIVE?

WHAT IS GOING TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER IN THE STATE OF HAWAII BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU GUYS DID?

>> I THINK RELATED TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT JUST MENTIONED, IN THE BUDGET, WE MADE EFFORTS TO PROVIDE DIRECT FINANCIAL RELIEF THOSE IN NEED.

BASICALLY, TO BOLSTER UP THE SAFETY NET.

WE DID THAT EVEN THOUGH FUNDS WERE SHORT.

WE PROVIDED $80 MILLION DIRECTLY FOR THOSE WHO NEED GENERAL ASSISTANCE, FOOD STAMPS, HOMELESS SERVICE, SEX ABUSE TREATMENT SERVICES, KUPUNA CARE.

THAT WAS ONE OF OR TOP PRIORITIES WAS TO RESTORE THE SAFETY NET.

EVEN DURING THIS TIME WITH WE ARE ACTUALLY, WE HAD TO CUT OUR OVERALL STATE BUDGET BY 8% THIS YEAR.

PRIORITIZE SAFETY NET.

ALSO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE.

WE HAVE AN APPROPRIATION FOR ABOUT $100 MILLION OVER THE NEXT 2 YEARS.

ASKED THEM TO USE THAT FUNDING TO HIRE MORE STAFF BECAUSE WE WANT THEM TO PROVIDE IN PERSON SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED.

AS YOU KNOW, OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS STILL HIGHEST IN THE NATION.

WE NEED TO HELP MORE PEOPLE WITH THEIR CLAIMS.

>>Daryl: CHAD BLAIR FROM CIVIL BEAT, I DON'T NECESSARILY NEED TO YOU COME UP WITH A POSITIVE THING.

THAT'S KIND OF THEIR JOB.

>> WHAT IS YOUR IMPRESSION OF WHAT HAPPENED WITH THIS LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR?

DID YOU SEE ANYTHING DONE THAT IS GOING TO BE FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGING LIFE IN HAWAII?

>> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN OVERSTATE HOW SERIOUS OF A SITUATION LOOK LIKE WE WERE IN FOUR MONTHS AGO.

WHEN THE GOVERNOR DELIVERED HIS BUDGET BACK IN DECEMBER, IT LOOKED VERY GRIM.

$1.4 BILLION EACH OF THE NEXT FOUR FISCAL YEARS.

THEN SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY, IN MARCH, HE SAW THE ARP, AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN COME IN.

SPEAKER SAKE SAID, ABLE TO RESTORE VERY IMPORTANT THING.

THAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII.

SEX ABUSE TREATMENT CENTER, HELPING KUPUNA, ANOTHER ONE WAS HIV PREVENTION PROGRAM.

YOU CAN'T OVERSTATE HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THE LEGISLATURE COULD HAVE DONE TOO MUCH MORE GIVEN THIS VERY NIGHTTIME FRAME.

REMEMBER, SIGNIFICANCE WAS ACTUALLY SHORT A WEEK.

REMEMBER, AS WELL, WHOLE CAPITOL WAS SHUTDOWN TO THE PUBLIC.

VERY DIFFICULT TO DO BUSINESS.

I ACTUALLY GIVE SENATE PRESIDENT, SPEAKER CREDIT FOR MANAGING TO TELEVISE ALL OF THOSE HEARINGS.

THAT WAS PRETTY REMARKABLE.

>>Daryl: I WAS IMPRESSED QUITE EASY TO KIND OF COVER WHAT WAS GOING ON BECAUSE YOU JUST CLICK ON A YOUTUBE LINK.

PRETTY EASY.

COLIN MOORE FROM U.H., WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER?

I MEAN, DO YOU FEEL LIKE THEY DID A GOOD JOB.

>> >> LOOK, I WANT TO MENTION SOME THINGS HAVEN'T BEEN MENTIONED.

BILLS QUITE IMPORTANT.

WE CAN GET TO SOME CRITICISM LATER.

I WANT TO GIVE THE LEGISLATURE CREDIT FOR DOING THING LIKE REFORMING PAYDAY LOANS.

PASSING AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION.

BILL KICKING AROUND FOR YEARS.

SOME REALLY INTERESTING IN INNOVATIVE THINGS.

ALLOWING DYNAMIC PRICING SYSTEMS FOR TRAILS AND PARKS.

COULD BE A GREAT WAY TO REFORM TOURISM IN THE FUTURE.

THIS WOULD SORT OF ALLOW UBER LIKE PRICING SYSTEM TO CONTROL OVER TOURISM.

THE REPEAL OF THE SUBMINIMUM WAGE.

OBSCURE ISSUE BUT VERY IMPORTANT.

THEN COUPLE OF SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES.

I WANT TO GIVE REPRESENTATIVE LOWEN CREDIT FOR PASSING TWO BILLS MAKE IT EASIER TO BILL BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE, MORE ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

STATE CONVERT TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

BIG THINGS.

CHALLENGE SESSION.

TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PLUG THESE HOLES IN THE BUDGET CAME FIRST.

YOU KNOW, OF COURSE, CERTAINLY CRITICISM ABOUT BILLS THAT WEREN'T PASSED.

>> BUT THESE ARE IMPORTANT SUBSTANTIVE BILLS.

PASSED IN A SESSION SHORTER THAN NORMAL.

>>Daryl: VIEWER QUESTIONS.

FIRST QUESTION IS SOMETHING PEOPLE MENTIONED.

WHY WAS THE MINIMUM WAGE NOT INCREASED TO BE IN ALIGNMENT COST OF LIVING INCREASES?

REPRESENTATIVE SAIKI BELIEVE HOUSE GOT THE BLAME FOR KILLING MINIMUM WAGE.

>> WE GOT THE BLAME.

OUR CHAIR OF OUR LABOR COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD ONISHI, FROM THE BIG ISLAND, MADE A STATEMENT LAST WEEK AND THE WEEK BEFORE.

THAT HE WILL TAKE DO HARD WORK OVER THE SUMMER.

NOT JUST MINIMUM WAGE, BUT ON OTHER ISSUES THAT AFFECT FINANCIAL FAIRNESS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO PROMOTE FAIRNESS FOR PEOPLE IN HAWAII.

AS YOU RECALL, TO TWO YEARS AGO, RIGHT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, BEGAN, HOUSE AND THE SENATE AGREED ON PACKAGE TO NOT JUST INCREASE THE MINIMUM WAGE, BUT TO ALSO EXTEND TAX CREDITORS FOR THOSE IN NEED.

EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT, FEBRUARY AND MARCH, WE HAD TO ABANDON THAT PACKAGE.

WE'LL SEE NEXT YEAR, ANOTHER PACKAGE ALONG THE LINES THE ONES WE INTRODUCED.

>>Daryl: WERE YOU DISAPPOINTED TO PASS THAT MINIMUM WAGE?

>> WE PUT A BILL OVER.

SOME OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS COULD HAVE BEEN HELD.

IF THEY HAD AMENDED THE BILL AND PUT FORWARD SOME OF THE IDEAS HOUSE HAD.

I THINK FORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES WAS WE NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO TRY TO TALK THROUGH SOME OF THE IDEAS THE HOUSE HAD.

YOU KNOW, IN CONFERENCE.

SEE IF THERE WAS A WAY TO RECONCILE OUR DIFFERENCE.

REPRESENTATIVE ONISHI HAS LAID OUT WHAT IS HE'S GOING TO DO.

AND OUR COMMITMENT IS TO TRY TO WORK WITH THE HOUSE AND SEE WHAT WE CAN GET PASSED NEXT YEAR.

>> DARYL, JUST TO BE CLEAR, SENATE BILL CAME OVER TO THE HOUSE, PROPOSED INCREASE OF ONE DOLLAR.

TO $10.10 TO $12.

TAKE EFFECT JULY 1, 2022.

YEAR AND TWO MONTHS FROM NOW.

SO IT WAS A DELAYED MINIMUM WAGE PROPOSAL.

>>Daryl: FAIRLY MODEST TOO.

>> SOUNDS LIKE.

IT WASN'T $15 THAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>> IT WAS LESS THAN THE AMOUNT WE HAD PROPOSED TWO YEARS AGO THROUGH JOINT SENATE HOUSE PACKAGE.

>>Daryl: COLIN MOORE, THERE IS SEEMS TO BE A PERCEPTION OUT THERE THAT THE LEGISLATURE TOOK CARE OF GOVERNMENT WORKERS, TOOK CARE OF BUSINESSES, BUT DIDN'T DO MUCH FOR TYPICAL WORKERS.

IS THAT A FAIR EVALUATION, DO YOU THINK?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD PHRASES IS PRECISELY THAT WAY.

A LOT OF PROGRESSIVES VERY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT NOT PASSING MINIMUM WAGE.

IT'S TRUE THAT THE STATE IS GOING TO GIVE SMALL BUSINESSES A BIG BREAK BY USING FEDERAL FUNDS TO REPLENISH THAT UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

MY VIEW TO THIS IS THAT THE LEGISLATURE TOOK A FAIRLY CAUTIOUS APPROACH.

TO TRY TO PROTECT THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES.

I THINK THE HOUSE, THIS SESSION, SEEMED A LITTLE MORE CONSERVATIVE TO ME THAN THE SENATE.

YOU SUSPECT HOUSE MEMBERS HEARD A LOT FROM THE THOSE IN THEIR DISTRICTS.

FOLKS WHO GIVE MONEY AROUND CAMPAIGN TIME.

THEY HAVE A LOT OF CONTACTS WITH THEIR MEMBERS.

SO I DO THINK THE LEGISLATURE MADE A DECISION TO PROTECT PUBLIC PLIES.

AND SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYEES AND SMALL BUSINESS OVER SOME OF THE MORE AGGRESSIVE PACKAGES.

PROPOSED.

BUT I ALSO THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE THOSE COME BACK NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF POLITICAL SUPPORT BEHIND THEM.

AND WE'RE GOING TO BE HEADING INTO ELECTION YEAR.

MEMBERS LIKE TO LIST THEIR WINS ON THE FLIERS THEY SEND AROUND.

SO I DON'T THINK THOSE ISSUES ARE GONE.

BUT I KNOW PROGRESSIVES ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED.

SOME CASES PROBABLY HAVE A RIGHT TO BE SO.

>>Daryl: CHAD BLAIR, WHAT IS YOUR READ ON HOW THE LEGISLATURE DID FOR LOWER WORKERS PEOPLE WHO DON'T MAKE THAT MUCH MONEY AND MAY HAVE BEEN WITHOUT WORK?

I KNOW THEY DID FUND UNEMPLOYMENT.

BUT MOST OF THAT MONEY WAS PASSED THROUGH FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> I REMEMBER.

HAWAII'S EMPLOYERS WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK WITH THAT PRICE TAG.

$700 MILLION FOR THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

HAD NOT THE LEGISLATURE ABLE TO USE THAT 700 MILLION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

I WOULD SAY COUPLE OF THINGS.

REALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO ASK A BUSINESS THAT HAS BEEN CLOSED OR HAD TO LAY OFF PEOPLE, TO SAY, LOOK, YOU GOT TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE THIS YEAR.

RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE.

TOUGH THING TO SAY.

JOINT PACKAGE YEAR AND A HALF AGO RAISE IT $13, $15 DOWN THE ROAD.

I GIVE CREDIT TO COLIN FOR SHOUT OUT SUBMINIMUM WAGE THAT IS WHERE PEOPLE THAT ARE DISABLED.

UNDERTHE FEDERAL LAW DON'T HAVE TO BE PAID THE MINIMUM WAGE DATING BACK TO 1930'S LAW.

THAT WAS PASSED.

REALLY IN CONFLICT WITH THE AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT.

REALLY REMARKABLE THING.

THAT THING DIED OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

WITHIN OTHER THING, REP ONISHI IN PARTICULAR CITED A.L.I.C.E.

REPORT.

CONCERNED ABOUT THOSE FOLKS STRUGGLING TO GET BY.

PASS MINIMUM WAGE.

AFFECT A LOT OF PEOPLE.

GOVERNMENT SALARIES.

I TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD.

INTERIM, COME BACK AND TRY HELP FOLKS OUT.

YES, I THINK THEY DID HAVE THE FOLKS STRUGGLING THE MOST IN MIND TO GET BY.

HELP ME OUT THIS SESSION.

>>Daryl: BIG ISSUES.

GOT A LOT OF QUESTIONS COMING IN.

I'M GOING TO GET TO THOSE.

CURIOUS WHAT ENDED BEING FINAL RESULTED TAX REFORM.

BREAK GIVEN TO LOW INCOME.

SOME TALK BEGINNING OF THE SESSION.

WHEN THERE WAS NO MONEY, A LOT OF THAT STUFF WENT OFF THE TABLE.

ANY EFFORT TO TAX FOR EXAMPLE RICH OR PEOPLE WHO WERE FINE THROUGH THAT THIS PANDEMIC.

WHAT CHANGES WERE NEED TO THE TAX SYSTEM?

>> VERY FEW AT THE END.

I THINK WITH THE FEDERAL MONEY, THAT CAME IN, A LOT OF THE MORE PROGRESSIVE IDEAS WERE PUT UP THE SIDE.

I THINK THERE IS A GREAT CONCERN THAT WE NEED TO STIMULATE BUSINESS AND BY ENCOURAGING BUSINESS TO FLOURISH IN TURN, WINDS UP GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO AND WORKING.

YOU SAID THERE'S A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY THAT PASSED THROUGH, DIFFICULTY IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU BALANCE WITH THE FEDERAL MONEY WENT.

AND HOW DO WE USE THE MONEY THAT WE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING WELL ROUNDED ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

FOR THOSE THAT WERE UNEMPLOYED, THEY IMMEDIATELY GOT A $600 PLUS UP EVERY WEEK.

BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

FOR THOSE WHEN THAT RAN OUT, THEN IT WAS A $300.

>> WE PUT IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

TO ASSIST THOSE WHO WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE THOSE RENTAL PAYMENTS.

AN WE TRIED TO CREATE A PROGRAM WHERE THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE WENT DIRECTLY TO THE LANDLORD.

SO THE LANDLORD WILL HAVE TO PAY THE MORTGAGE.

WHILE THE MAKING OUT.

WE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF MONEY TO DO FEEDING PROGRAMS BECAUSE THERE WERE JUST SO MANY IN THE COMMUNITY IN NEED, WHO SIMPLY HAD COME OUT TO THE FOOD DRIVE.

MADE SURE USING FEDERAL MONEY.

GET FREE LUNCHES TO ANY STUDENTS THAT CAME THROUGH.

SO YOU KNOW, I WANTED TO CIRCLE BACK TO WHAT DID WE DO FOR THE AVERAGE PEOPLE.

THERE WAS A LOT OF THINGS LIKE SPEAKER SAIKI HAD SAID, THAT WE DID.

THERE WASN'T MUCH THAT HAPPENED WITH TAXES.

>>Daryl: INTERESTING THING THAT HAPPENED WITH THE WAY FEDERAL LAWS WERE WRITTEN.

I RECALL IT CAME UP WHERE BECAUSE BASICALLY, CONSTRAINED YOU ON HOW MUCH TAX RELIEF YOU COULD OFFER.

HOW MUCH YOU END UP NOT PASSING THINGS WANTED TO PASS BECAUSE YOU WERE AFRAID IT MIGHT VIOLATE THE FEDERAL MANDATE ASSOCIATED WITH ALL OF THAT AID MONEY.

IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

WITH THE FEDERAL RESCUE ACT CAME DOWN, IT INCLUDED PROVISION THAT OUR UNDERSTANDING WAS INSERTED INTO THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION OF THE VERY LAST MINUTE.

BASICALLY PROHIBITED STATES FROM REDUCING TAXES AND OFFSETTING COST OF THE TAX THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IN OTHER WORDS, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POSITION WAS THAT WHY SHOULD WE GIVE YOU FUND IF YOU'RE GOING TO TURN AROUND AND REDUCE YOUR STATE TAXES TO BENEFIT FROM THAT.

WHEN THE RESCUE ACT CAME DOWN, WE HAD TO CANCEL AND PUT OFF ALL OF OUR TAX REDUCTION BILLS.

EVEN THEN, WE WERE ABLE TO RAISE SOME TAXES.

THE CONVEYANCE TAX IS INCREASED FOR PROPERTIES THAT ARE VALUED AT MORE THAN $4 MILLION.

WE SUSPENDED G.E.T.

TAX EXEMPTIONS THAT BENEFIT BUSINESSES.

FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.

WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW COUNTIES TO INCREASE HOTEL ROOM TAXES UP TO 3%.

ALLOW DLNR TO CHARGE FOR STATE PARK USE.

TAX TOURISTS OR THOSE WHO RENT VEHICLES.

TAXES IMPOSED UPON VISITORS.

>> WE DO NOT WANT TO INCREASE TAXES HAWAII RESIDENTS.

>>Daryl: DO YOU WANT TO WEIGH IN ON THE ISSUE?

>> I DO.

RENTING MORE FOR A CAR OUTER ISLANDS.

SURCHARGE.

OVER 7 YEARS.

THERE WERE A WHOLE A LOT OF BILLS TO RAISE TAXES AT THE GIVING SESSION.

KEVIN DAYTON ONE OF OUR REPORTER AT THE LEGISLATURE ALONG WITH BLAZE, REPORTED ON BILLS TO TAX PEOPLE ON MEDICAID, MORE MONEY, 2 TO $300.

TAX SUGAR DRINKS, TOBACCO, ALSO INHERITANCE TAX.

CAPITAL GAINS.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE END DYING.

EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, BENEFIT THERE TO EXTEND THE EITC FURTHER.

HELPS FOLKS MAKE LESS MONEY.

CONCERN WAS WE NEED A LOT OF MONEY.

LOSING ALL OF THIS REVENUE.

NOT GETTING THAT G.E.T.

AND T.A.T.

BECAUSE OF TOURISM.

GOING INTO THE TANK.

SO THE BEGINNING OF SESSION, A LOT OF BILLS TO RAISE TAXES AN A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> HOTEL TAX, FOUND THIS BILL INTERESTING.

HOTEL TAX 10.25%.

THAT MONEY, $103 MILLION WAS TRADITIONALLY DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE COUNTIES.

STATE WILL KEEP THAT NOW.

TRADEOFFS THAT THE COUNTIES WILL BE ABLE TO IMPOSE NEW 3% HOTEL ROOM TAX ON TOP OF THAT.

IN THEORY, IT COULD GO UP TO 13.25%.

THIS WAS CRITICIZED BY THE TOURISM INDUSTRY BY A LOT OF MAYORS, AND MY QUESTION HERE REALLY IS THAT POLITICAL ONE.

BECAUSE PEOPLE OFTEN SAY THAT THE TOURISM INDUSTRY HAS A LOT OF POLITICAL PULL IN HAWAII.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT THIS SESSION AT ALL.

IN FACT, A LOT OF THESE EXPENSES ARE GOING TO BE BORNE BY THE TOURISM INDUSTRY DESPITE VOCIFEROUS PROTESTS.

>> I THINK THERE'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE A QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THIS WILL HURT OUR DOMINANT INDUSTRY WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO RECOVER ECONOMICALLY.

I THINK THESE ARE GOOD BILL AND GLAD THAT'S INCREASE IN HOTEL ROOM WAS PASSED.

I WONDER JUST BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE THING ABOUT, WHICH WAS LARGELY CLOSED TO THE OUTSIDE, IF SOME OF THESE DIFFICULT VOTES FOR MEMBERS WERE A LITTLE BIT EASIER THIS TIME, BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T FACING THIS ONSLAUGHT OF PEOPLE IN THEIR OFFICES COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS BILL.

I THINK PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL OR COULD BE SUBSTANTIAL TAX INCREASE.

>>Daryl: SPEAKER SAIKI, ON THAT POINT, YOU MENTIONED 3% INCREASE IN HOTEL ROOM TAXES.

THE IT'S SET UP, ESSENTIALLY, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM THE COUNTIES AND THEN THEY CAN RAISE THE 3%.

SO IT'S BASICALLY A WAY OF RAISING TAXES WITHOUT GETTING BLAMED FOR RAISING TAXES.

WHAT WAS THE LOGIC OF DOING IT THAT WAY AS OPPOSED TO RAISING THE TAX DIRECTLY OUT OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND THEN DISTRIBUTING MONEY?

WHY GIVE IT COUNTY OPTION?

>> SO COLIN MENTIONED THAT $103 MILLION ALLOCATED EVERY YEAR OFF THE STATE T.A.T.

COLLECTION.

THAT WAS TO GIVE TO THE COUNTIES.

IN LAW, FORMULA FOR WHAT PERCENTAGE GOES TO EACH COUNTY.

WHAT HAPPENED, WHAT'S HAPPENED EVERY SINGLE YEAR, BECAUSE THE COUNTIES FEEL THEY ARE EXPERIENCING TOURISTS MORE AND MORE TOURISTS RELATED COSTS IN THEIR COUNTIES WOULD COME BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE AND ASK FOR THE $103 MILLION CAP TO BE INCREASED OR ASK FOR DIFFERENT PERCENTAGE OR IT WOULD BASICALLY WANT MORE IN HOTEL ROOM TAX REVENUE.

SO OUR POSITION THIS YEAR WAS THAT, WELL, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THE COUNTIES DO NEED MORE REVENUE.

IF SO, THEY SHOULD HAVE THE AUTHORITY, SHOULD HAVE THE AUTONOMY, TO IMPOSE THEIR OWN TAX ON THEIR, WITHIN THEIR OWN COUNTY TO RAISE THE REVENUES THAT THEY NEED FOR THESE TOURISTS RELATED EXPENSES.

THIS IS REALLY A, COUNTY HOME RULE ISSUE.

>>Daryl: SENATOR KOUCHI, YOU FOLKS WERE NOT SO MUCH RESPONSIBLE AS I UNDERSTAND IT NEGOTIATION.

THIS BILL WAS SORT OF COBBLED TOGETHER AT THE VERY LAST MINUTE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WAS A SPECIFIC HEARING ON THAT BILL.

YOU FOLKS WERE MUCH MORE INTERESTED IN REFORMING HTA PART OF THAT.

WHAT IN THAT BILL IS GOING TO CHANGE THE WAY TOURISM OPERATES?

A LOT OF TALK WHEN WE HAD THE PANDEMIC AND WE ALL WERE KIND OF ENJOYING HAVING FEW TOURISTS AROUND.

THAT WE'RE NEVER GOING TO HAVE TOURISM THE SAME WAY WE DID, YOU KNOW, TWO YEARS AGO.

AND SO ON.

IS THAT WHERE THE SENATE TRYING TO DO, CHANGE THE WAY WE MANAGE TOURISM OR JUST GUT THE HTA BECAUSE THEY WERE IRRITATING TO YOU?

>> NOT IRRITATING TO ME.

YOU LOOK AT, I BROUGHT IT WITH ME TODAY.

YOU GOT 20,000 HOTEL JOBS THAT PROBABLY AREN'T COMING BACK RIGHT AWAY.

ON THOUGH TOURISM HAS PICKED UP.

SPEAKER SAID WE'RE STILL AT THE HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

WE DO NEED TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

KAUAI IN APRIL OF 2018, WITH THAT RECORD BREAKING FLOOD AND THE SHUTDOWN OF THE NORTH SHORE, FINALLY HAD TO POLITICAL WILL TO PASS A CARRYING CAPACITY AND KA BEACH PARK, END OF THE ROAD IN HAENA.

SAY NO MORE THAN 900 VISITORS.

YOU KNOW, THERE WAS ARTICLE RECENTLY ABOUT 700 PEOPLE BEING TURNED AWAY BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE A RESERVATIONS.

PARKING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

EMERGENCY VEHICLES COULDN'T GET THROUGH THERE.

STARTED THAT AT WAINAPAPA ON MAUI.

COLLECTING ALMOST 90,000 A MONTH NOW.

AND SO YEAH, WE DO NEED TO RESET IT.

AND IT'S NOT THE OLD MARKETING OF GOING TO TRADE SHOWS.

AGENCIES.

SO MANY INDEPENDENT PURCHASES OF THE TICKETS.

INFLUENCERS HAVE VERY BIG SAY IN WHERE PEOPLE GO AND WHAT THEY CHOOSE TO DO.

WHAT WE'VE SEEN WITH THE INCREDIBLE RETURNS WITH TOURISTS MUCH FASTER THAN WE THOUGHT.

PENT UP MARKET.

WE NEED TO REPROGRAM OUR RESOURCES INTO FINANCIAL RESOURCES, IN A RECALL RESOURCE PROTECTION.

NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION.

INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES SO THE EXPERIENCE FOR BOTH RESIDENT AND VISITOR IS A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE.

BECAUSE THEY'RE ABLE TO GET ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND REALLY BASH A PLACE IF WE'RE NOT DOING IT RIGHT.

>>Daryl: CHAD, YOU WANTED TO THROW SOMETHING IN THERE?

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOUSE BILL 862.

IT'S BIT OF A SMORGASBORD.

LIGHT OF THINGS IN THERE.

GOING FOR ALSO INCLUDE CUTTING HTA BUDGET, BELIEVE, FROM 79 MILLION TO 60 MILLION.

THAT'S AN ENORMOUS CUT.

HAWAII CONVENTION CENTER, I THINK IT'S 15 MILLION DOWN TO $11 MILLION.

GOING FORWARD, HTA GOING TO HAVE FIND ANOTHER WAY TO FUND ITS ORGANIZATION.

BECAUSE THAT IS FORMULA IS NO LONGER GOING TO BE IN THIS PLACE.

I'M CONCERNED THIS BILL IS IN THIS, ON THE GOVERNOR'S RADAR IN TERMS OF HIS POTENTIAL VETOES.

TOURISM AND SAYING, LOOK, PENT UP DEMAND AND GREAT TO SEE THESE TOURISTS COMING BACK.

UNLESS YOU MARKET IT, RECOGNIZE THAT YOU'RE COMPETING WITH OTHER DESTINATION, AND SPENDING MONEY TO BRING PEOPLE HERE, YOU CAN'T JUST TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.

HAVING SAID THAT, I RECOGNIZE BALANCE THAT'S LEGISLATURE IS TRYING TO ACHIEVE.

HERE.

>> WE DON'T WANT 10 MILLION VISITORS COMING TO THE STATE AGAIN.

ALL DISAPPEAR, WE START TO REALIZE, MAYBE IT WASN'T SO BAD.

8 OR 9 MILLION COMING HERE.

>>Daryl: DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE TOURISM ADJUSTMENTS REFORM.

>> I AGREE WITH WHAT CHAD SAID.

COULD VERY WELL BE VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR.

STREAM OF FUNDING FROM THE HOTEL TAX.

LONGER TERM DESTINATION MANAGEMENT IT'S CALLED, SUPPOSED TO TAKE MORE HOLISTIC VIEW OF SOME OF THESE THINGS.

GOVERNOR'S CONCERN IS THAT WITHOUT THAT, IF YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOU CREATE THESE NEW PROGRAMS IF YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR MONEY EVERY YEAR.

WHICH I THINK IS A LEGITIMATE CONCERN.

>>Daryl: I NEED TO HONOR CALLERS.

JIM IN AIEA, WHAT ARE THEY DOING CREATE JOBS?

REPRESENTATIVE SAIKI.

IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIFIC THAT YOU CAN POINT TO THAT WILL EITHER DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY OR CREATE MORE JOBS PERHAPS NOW WE'RE LOSING THESE TOURISM JOBS?

>> WE DID A NUMBER OF THINGS.

CREATE A NEW PROGRAM TO PROVIDE LOANS FOR BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE ALSO APPROVED LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE THAT STATE PURCHASE MORE LOCAL PRODUCE.

FROM OUR LOCAL FARMERS.

WE ALSO CREATED GREEN JOB YOUTH CORE PROGRAM TO HIRE PEOPLE.

WE WILL BE SETTING A PROGRAM FOR INSTALLATION OF MORE EV CHARGING STATIONS.

THERE'S A NUMBER OF BILLS THAT WE APPROVED THAT WILL LEAD TO MORE JOBS.

>>Daryl: SENATOR KOUCHI, ANYTHING JUMPS OUT AT YOU JOB CREATION OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT?

>> CLEARLY, I AGREE WITH THE SPEAKER ON THE AREA OF BROADBAND.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH HOME.

I THINK TELEMEDICINE IS GOING TO BE A GROWING FIELD.

WHERE WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO START DELIVERING MEDICAL SUPPLIES AT LOWER COSTS TO RESIDENTS.

AND THAT GOING TO BE IMPORTANT.

HEMP, THE FARM BILL, HEMP WAS PASSED IN THE FARM BILL LAST YEAR.

AND WE PASSED THE BILL LAST SESSION.

AND SO WHETHER IT'S THE MEDICINAL APPLICATION, CONSTRUCTION APPLICATIONS, MAKING ROPE AND ALOHA SHIRTS AND OTHER MATERIAL WITH VALUE ADDED JOBS WITH THAT I BELIEVE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IS A LOT MORE VALUE ADDED COMING OUT OF THE OF THE AGRICULTURAL AREAS.

THAT SPEAKER IS TALKING ABOUT.

AND WHEN WE SEE THAT WITH AGRICULTURAL, COUNTIES HAVE BEEN PASSING LEGISLATION THAT YOU CAN SELL WHAT YOU'RE GROWING ON YOUR FIELDS AND CREATE RETAIL OPPORTUNITIES.

SO THAT'S FARMER ASKS TAKE THE MIDDLE MAN OUT OF THE PICTURE AND KEEP MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKET.

AREA OF SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH.

>>Daryl: DID YOU SEE ANYTHING THIS LEGISLATURE THAT YOU THINK IS GOING TO HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE ON CHANGING THE ECONOMY, ECONOMY OPERATES?

>> I WOULDN'T SAY SIGNIFICANT.

I MEAN, I THINK MOST OF THIS IS GOING TO COME FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WHERE OF COURSE PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS A HUGELY AMBITIOUS PACKAGE.

WILL PROVIDE SORT OF THINGS THAT WOULD CREATE JOBS HERE IN HAWAII.

CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE, PRE K EDUCATION, WHOLE SLATE OF PROPOSALS THAT I THINK REALLY WOULD MAKE IT'S A DIFFERENCE.

STATES DON'T HAVE A LOT OF CAPACITY TO ENGAGE IN THE BIG ASSOCIATION INFRASTRUCTURE THAT BUILD JOBS MUCH.

>>Daryl: DO YOU FEEL THAT WAY.

>> YEAH.

COME FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL, NOT STATE LEVEL.

I AGREE ABOUT STATE CREATION.

NEVER SEEN THE LEGISLATURE BE IN THE ROLE OF CREATING JOBS.

WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO THIS TIME WAS MAKE SURE BUSINESSES BE AROUND CAN BRING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.

WITH HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT WE HAD, HIGHEST COUNTRY, SORT OF REMARKABLE.

ONE BILL THAT HAS BEEN CHARACTERIZED BY SUPPORTS GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY.

GOOD FOR BUSINESSES.

THAT IS IT HOUSE BILL 499.

ALSO PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL BILLS.

GOT ATTENTION IN THE LATE SESSION.

BOARD OF NATURAL RESOURCES ALLOWED TO EXTEND LEASES PUBLIC LANDS I BELIEVE THE 40 YEARS.

BEYOND 65 YEAR LEASE.

100 YEAR LEASE.

PEOPLE LIKE STANDFORD CARR, DEVELOPER, LAND BOARD ITSELF, RATHER DLNR, PRP, PACIFIC RESOURCES PARTNERSHIP, PRINCE KUHIO PLAZA BIG ISLAND, THEY SUPPORT IT.

OPPONENTS ARE VERY WORRIED THAT THIS IS YET ANOTHER SITUATION WHICH THE ECONOMY IS BEING USED AS THE EXCUSE, JOB, STIMULUS HELPING PEOPLE OUT.

WHAT YOU'RE PROBABLY DOING, ARGUMENT IS GIVING AWAY PUBLIC LANDS.

>>Daryl: LET ME GIVE EITHER REPRESENTATIVE SAIKI OR SENATOR KOUCHI A CHANCE TO HE RESPONSIBLE TO THAT.

WAS THIS AN EFFORT TO GIVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEASES AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE AND DEVELOP THOSE THINGS, OR WAS IT JUST A WAY OF GETTING RID REGULATIONS THEY DIDN'T WANT?

SPEAKER SAIKI?

>> THIS BILL HAS ACTUALLY BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE VARIOUS FORMS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

IT'S REALLY, GENESIS OF IT START STARTS ON BIG ISLAND.

THERE ARE AREAS ON THE BIG ISLAND STATE LAND HAS BEEN LEASED FOR THE PAST 60 YEARS OR IS TO BUSINESS.

BUSINESSES ARE TRYING TO RENEW THEIR LEASES BECAUSE THEY WANT TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE THEIR BUSINESS.

CONTINUE TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN THEIR BUSINESSES.

BUT THEY CAN'T DO THAT UNLESS THERE IS SOME GUARANTEE OF LEASE EXTENSION.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE DLNR HAS FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, HAS SLOWED DOWN THE PROCESS AND HAS NOT BEEN VERY RESPONSIVE TO THEIR REQUEST FOR EXTENSION.

THAT'S WHY THIS YEAR, THE BIG ISLAND DELEGATION, WORKED ON THIS BILL, I WANT TO ALSO EMPHASIZE THAT EVEN IF THE DLNR DOES PROCEED WITH LEASE EXTENSION UNDER THIS LEGISLATION, IF IT BECOMES LAW, THAT EXTENSION IS STILL SUBJECT TO SOME LEGAL PROTECTIONS.

STILL A RIGHT TO CONTESTED CASE HEARING.

AT THE DLNR LEVEL.

STILL A RIGHT TO APPEAL THAT DECISION.

IN THE COURTS.

SO THERE ARE STILL SAFEGUARDS WOULD STILL APPLY UNDER THESE LEASE EXTENSIONS.

>>Daryl: LET ME MOVE ON NOW TO SOME OF THE BIGGER TOUGHER ISSUES.

HOUSELESS POPULATION.

THINK FOR MOST PEOPLE, IT'S BECOME MORE VISIBLE, MORE DISTURBING BECAUSE YOU'RE SEEING PEOPLE WITH SIGNIFICANT MENTAL ILLNESS, ACTING OUT.

AND LARGE HOMELESS CAMPS STILL.

WHAT WAS DONE ABOUT HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING?

SENATOR KOUCHI, LEGISLATURE, SENATE, WAS ALWAYS VERY BIG ON TRYING TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP HIGHRISE HOUSING AND SO ON.

FIRST TALKING ABOUT HOMELESSNESS.

BUT ALSO, IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU DID TO HELP GENERATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.

>> MAIN THING IS CAPITAL BUDGET.

THE MONEY WAS PUT IN WHETHER IT'S IN THE DRF FUNDS.

I'M SO USED TO THE ACRONYMS.

DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MEAN.

RENTAL ASSISTANCE, HOUSING TRUST FUND.

WE MADE THE INVESTMENTS THERE WHERE WE NEED TO DEVELOP I DON'T KNOW.

AS THE SPEAKER SAY, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

HOW WE DEAL WITH THAT IS IMPORTANT.

WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR AS AN EXAMPLE, JUST IN THE SMALL AREA OF KAUAI.

IS THERE A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT DLNR WAS IN CHARGE OF BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF KAUAI WATER DEPARTMENT AND KAUAI ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES WHICH OFFERS 16 DIFFERENT PROGRAMS TO ASSIST THOSE IN NEED IN THE COMMUNITY.

INCLUDING HAVING A TRANSITIONAL HOUSING SHELTER AND SERVICES.

AND MAYOR KAWAKAMI WAS ABLE TO SECURE THE LAND.

AND HE BUILT PROJECTS SIMILAR TO DUANE KURISO SAND ISLAND ISLAND PROJECT.

30 OR 40 UNITS THEY RECENTLY OPENED.

ADDITIONAL LAND USED FOR BUSINESS YARD BY THE DLNR.

TRYING TO FIND WAY TO RELOCATE THEM SO WE CAN EXPAND THAT.

THEN THAT FACILITY NEXT TO THE COUNTY'S PARK AND RIDE AND BUS STOP.

GOT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ON KAUAI AVAILABLE.

ADJACENT TO KAUAI ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY GET SERVICES TO ASSIST THEM.

WE NEED TO REPLICATE SOME OF THESE TINY HOUSES THAT BRING IN QUALITY PLACES FOR THE HOMELESS TO LIVE.

>>Daryl: REPRESENTATIVE SAIKI, DISCUSSION ABOUT DLNR GETTING PRETTY INTO WEEDS ABOUT, SPECIFICALLY ABOUT STATE LAND.

WHAT ABOUT BROADLY SPEAKING ANY SIGNIFICANT INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR PURCHASE OR FOR RENT?

THAT'S ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT.

I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE SEEN THAT MUCH.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT DERF AND LERF, SEED DEVELOPMENT.

A LOT OF WHAT DEVELOPERS COMPLAIN ABOUT WHAT SLOWS DOWN AND TAMPS DOWN HOUSING.

>> LEGISLATURE IS NOT A DEVELOPER.

OUR JOB IS TO PROVIDE THE TOOLS TO THOSE WHO WILL BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AS A PRESIDENT, WE DID IT THAT THIS YEAR.

THAT WAS ACTUALLY ONE OF OUR PRIORITY AREAS FOR THE SESSION.

EXPANDED LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT.

SUBSIDIZE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.

PROVIDE LOANS FOR COMMUNITY HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM.

APPROPRIATED $100 MILLION OVER 2 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELANDS TO BUILD HOUSING FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN BENEFICIARIES.

DEPOSITED $100 MILLION IN THE RENTAL HOUSING TRUST FUND AND FOR RENTAL HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE CREATED A SELF HELP HOUSING PROGRAM.

TRYING TO EXPAND THE TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT, T.O.D.

ZONES AROUND THE RAIL STATIONS.

IF RAIL IS EVER BUILT.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT WE DID HOUSING AREA.

ONE OTHER THING I WANT TO DO MENTION, NOT NECESSARILY ABOUT DEVELOPMENT, COLIN MENTIONED THIS EARLIER, WE MOVED A BILL TO CREATE PROGRAM FOR RENTERS FACING EVICTION AT SOME POINT.

OUR ESTIMATE IS 10,000 HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE AT RISK OF BEING EVICTED.

OUR LEGISLATION WILL PROVIDE FREE MEDIATION SERVICE AND SOME LEGAL PROTECTION FOR RENTERS WHO SEEK TO MEDIATE AND TRY TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES BY CREATING PAYMENT PLANS OR OTHER ACCOMMODATION WAS THEIR LANDLORDS.

>> REALLY IMPORTANT PROGRAM.

BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, NATIONAL LEVEL, LOSSES FILED TO CHALLENGE MORATORIUMS BEING IMPOSED BY THE PRESIDENT IF LOT ARE SUCCESSFUL.

WE COULD FACE A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE IN HAWAII, A LOT OF RENTERS, WHO MAY BE FORCED OUT OF THEIR HOME.

>>Daryl: YOU WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THAT?

>> SPEAKER SAIKI, SAID EXACTLY WHAT WAYS GOING TO SAY.

WANTED TO GIVE HIM CREDIT FOR THAT MEDIATION PROGRAM.

TO PREVENT MASS EVICTIONS.

THIS TO ME IS SORT OF THE THEME OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WHICH WAS TO STOP THE BLEEDING.

I MEAN, WE NEED TO BUILD MORE HOUSING.

BUT THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN IS MASS EVICTION.

AS HE MENTIONED, MY COLLEAGUES AND UHERO DID SURVEY THAT FOUND THAT OVER 11,000 HOUSEHOLDS WERE BEHIND ON THEIR RENT.

HERE IN HAWAII, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF CORPORATE LANDLORDS IT'S THESE ARE MAINLY MOM AND POP LANDLORD.

THEMSELVES CAN'T LOST FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS ON END WITHOUT RECEIVING RENT.

>> SO THIS IS TO HELP SOLVE THAT PROBLEM TO GET THE LANDLORDS PAID.

EACH IS POSSIBLE AND TO ALLOW THE TENANTS TO BE ABLE TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES.

>>Daryl: CHAD >> CAN I MENTION SINCE WE'RE ON THAT TOPIC STOP THE BLEEDING.

WITHIN OTHER BILL REALLY IMPORTANT ONE OTHER BILL REALLY IMPORTANT.

20 PERFECT STATE OF THE STATE POPULATION RELIES ON LOANS.

PREDATORY LOANS.

THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO NOT QUALIFY FOR REGULAR BANK LOANS.

THEY GO THESE OUTFITS.

SIGN UP FOR LOANS WHERE THEY'RE PAYING 100, 200, 300% INTEREST OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

WE PASSED LEGISLATION THIS YEAR AND THIS PREDATORY LENDING LEGISLATION HAS COME UP EVERY YEAR FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.

FINALLY PASSED IT.

THIS WILL CREATE A NEW MECHANISM TO REGULATE PREDATORY LOAN BUSINESS.

CREATE LICENSURE REQUIREMENT.

INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS.

>> CAP INTEREST.

CAP FEES, THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS CAPITOL WITHOUT BEING SUBJECT TO UNSCRUPULOUS LENDERS.

>>Daryl: I'M GOING MOVE ON RIGHT NOW.

3 QUESTIONS ABOUT CANNABIS.

IF I CAN JUST CHOOSE FROM ONE OF THE OTHER.

PLETHORA OF STATES CREATING BILLION DOLLARS INDUSTRIES RELATED THE TO LEGALIZED CANNABIS, WHEN WILL HAWAII JUMP ON THE BAND WAGON?

WHY NO MOVEMENT ON CANNABIS LEGISLATION.

830% OF THE SENATE VOTED.

WHY DIDN'T IT RECEIVE A HEARING IN THE HOUSE HEALTH OR JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

WHY ALLOW BROAD DISCRETION POCKET VETO.

WHAT DID HAPPEN WITH RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS THIS YEAR?

>> WE SUPPORTED IT.

DIDN'T MOVE.

BUT YOU THINK YOUR ASSESSMENT IS ACCURATE.

SENATE, INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, WITH ALL OF THE OLDER MEMBERS, BY AGE, OLDER MEMBERS SEEMS TO BE A LOT FARTHER TO THE LEFT IN THEIR PHILOSOPHY.

WHENEVER I WAS ASKED AFTER LAST SESSION WHAT DID I THINK, I ALWAYS SAID I THOUGHT THIS WAS COMING.

CAUCUS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTS.

EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT A BIG FAN OF IT.

I AM VERY CLEAR THIS ISN'T SOMETHING I SUPPORT.

BUT AS THE PRESIDENT, I UNDERSTAND WHERE MY CAUCUS WANTS TO GO AND THEY CLEARLY WANT TO GO IN THAT DIRECTION.

SO I EXPECT WE'LL HAVE A ROBUST CONVERSATION AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

>>Daryl: SPEAKER SAIKI, A LOT OF PEOPLE SEE THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY PARTICULARLY OTHER STATES ARE DOING IT, AS BIG POTENTIAL REVENUE AND JOB GROWTH KIND OF SITUATION.

WHY IS IT THE HOUSE DIDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH IT?

>> SO JUST A LITTLE BIT.

IT WAS THE HOUSE THAT OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, LED THE WAY ON EXPANDING MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM.

12 YEARS, LICENSES WERE NOT BEING ISSUED.

HOUSE ALSO HELPED TAKE THE LEAD A COUPLE OF YEAR AGO TO DECRIMINALIZE SMALL AMOUNTS.

3 GRAMS OR 4 OR 5 JOINTS.

WITH THE $100 FINE.

SO THE HOUSE HAS TAKEN SOME BOLD POSITIONS ON MARIJUANA OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

WHEN IT COMES TO LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

I THINK THE SENTIMENT WITHIN THE HOUSE IS WE SHOULD SEE IF OUR MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM SHOULD BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED.

>> HAS NOT BEEN FULLY IMPLEMENTED.

CONCERNS THAT BECAUSE MARIJUANA IS STILL CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE UNDER THE FEDERAL LAW.

IT'S STILL ILLEGAL AND THE FEDERAL LAW.

THAT WE CANNOT, IT HAS TO BE BASICALLY BE CASH TRANSACTION CASH TRANSACTION.

>> CANNOT USE BANKS TRANSPORTATION SERVICE ON HIGHWAYS.

SO MANY BUILT IN RESTRICTIONS.

WHEN IT COMES TO MARIJUANA.

EVEN IF THE STATE LEGALIZES IT.

I THINK THERE ARE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS THAT HAVE TO BE ANSWERED.

BEFORE WE JUST LEGALIZE IT.

>>Daryl: WANTED TO PITCH IN ON THIS.

CHAD.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I DON'T HAVE TO BUY WHAT THE SPEAKER SAID.

HE'S RIGHT.

THAT'S EXCUSE GIVE.

OF FACT, THAT HASN'T STOPPED SCHEDULE 1 FOR MARIJUANA.

HASN'T STOPPED 17 STATES U.S.

TERRITORIES MOVING FORWARD TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA.

EMERGENCY, MEXICO, REALIZING REVENUE SOURCE.

PEOPLE ARE SMOKING IT ANYWAY.

TWO BILLS DIED.

ONE WOULD HAVE INCREASED AMOUNT OF DECRIM 3 GRAHAMS TO AN OUNCE.

OTHER ONE FLAT OUT WOULD HAVE LEGALIZED RECREATIONAL USE.

POLL RUNNING TOMORROW ON CIVIL BEAT SHOWS I THINK GREATER INTEREST A CHANGE LITTLE BIT IN SUPPORT FOR MARIJUANA.

>> RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

IN THE STATE.

HOUSE BILL, SIERRA CLUB, NATIVE HAWAIIAN LEGAL CORPORATIONERS OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS HAS SERIOUS CONCERN.

I WANTED TO PRESENT THAT AS A BALANCE.

WORRIED ABOUT GIVING AWAY STATE LANDS.

GOT IT IN.

>>Daryl: HUGE TOPIC IS EDUCATION THIS YEAR.

FRANKLY I WASN'T HERE WHEN THIS PASSED.

DIDN'T HEAR THE LOGIC OF IT.

QUESTION FROM A CALLER WAS $2,200 WAS APPROPRIATED BY THE LEGISLATURE EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER $30 BILLION.

WHY WASN'T THAT MONEY USED FOR PEOPLE OUT OF THE WORK BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC TEACHERS OBVIOUSLY WERE STILL GETTING PAID.

THEN EVEN TODAY, HGEA, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PRINCIPALS A LOT OF OTHER SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE SAYING, WHY GIVE THE MONEY TO ONE PARTICULAR PROFESSION?

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER HOUSE OR SENATE TOOK LEAD ON THAT.

WHERE DID THAT IDEA COME FROM AND WHAT WAS THE REASON FOR PICK OUT TEACHERS FOR THAT?

SPEAKER SAIKI OR SENATOR KOUCHI, WHICH ONE OF YOUR GUYS' HOUSES CAME UP WITH THAT IDEA?

>> PROBABLY A COMBINATION.

ACTUALLY, THE LEGISLATURE WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN A ROCK AND HARD PLACE BECAUSE COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

D.O.E.

ADMINISTRATION UNILATERALLY BEGAN PAYING SALARY INCREASES TO CERTAIN TEACHERS.

WHEN PEOPLE FOUND OUT ABOUT THAT, BASICALLY DISRUPTED THE RANKS WITHIN THE TEACHERS.

DISRUPTED THAT ENTIRE SYSTEM, THAT SOME WERE RECEIVING INCREASES WHILE OTHERS WITH NOT.

THIS YEAR, THERE WAS AN ATTEMPT TO EQUALIZE IT FOR ALL TEACHERS.

HAD TO CONSIDER FEDERAL RESCUE FUND.

REQUIRED THAT D.O.E.

PROVIDE SAME LEVEL OF THE MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT SERVICES WITHIN THE SCHOOLS.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>>Daryl: OKAY.

BUT $30 MILLION, I MEAN, SO THE SCHOOL BUDGET WAS $30 MILLION SHORT AND HAD YOU TO BACKFILL IT BY GIVING IT TO TEACHERS?

I DON'T QUITE GET THAT.

SENATOR KOUCHI, WHAT WAS YOUR THINKING ABOUT WHY THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA?

>> WELL, IT WAS NEGOTIATED BY BOTH COMMITTEE CHAIRS.

AND AT THIS POINT, IN TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE RULE, REQUIREMENTS, THE ARPA MONEY, SPEAKER AND I KEEP BRINGING IN MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT, HOW ARE WE GOING TO BE ALIGNED WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW THE MONEY WAS SPENT, IN THE PREVIOUS 3 YEARS, MONEY WAS GIVEN TO SALARIES, WE NEED TO COMMIT THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE HAD BEEN PAYING IN THE PAST.

AT THIS POINT, THIS WAS THE DECISION THAT WOULD GET OUR BUDGET ALIGNED AND WE WANTED TO BE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T LOSE THE 1.6 MILLION DOLLARS.

>>Daryl: COLIN MOORE, THEY DIDN'T THINK PROFESSORS NEEDED THE MONEY.

>> ACTUALLY, THERE WAS SOME CARES ACT MONEY WENT TO FACULTY.

FOR INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT.

WE GOT SOME TOO.

OR UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT WAS FROM THE CARES ACT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>>Daryl: WHAT DO YOU THINK THE OVERALL WE'RE HEARING A LOT ABOUT HOW IN ORDER TO GET THIS MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE COULDN'T DO THIS OR WE HAD DO THIS, WE HO TO DO THAT.

HAD DO THAT.

FEELS LIKE THE TAG WAGGING DOG.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ASSUMED THIS HUGE ROLE IN AND REALLY, HAND SHACKLING LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

IS THAT WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON?

SEEING TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN THE ROLE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN LOCAL DECISION MAKING?

>> WELL, MINE, LOOK, FEW YEARS AGO, WE COULD NEVER IMAGINE THIS AMOUNT MUCH MONEY COMING TO STATES.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MADE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS RAIN FROM THE SKY.

WHY WE HAVEN'T HAD HOUR CHALLENGES WORKING TAKING LARGE FURLOUGHS.

WHENEVER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GIVES MONEY, ALWAYS STRINGS ATTACHED.

THAT'S HOW THEY GET STATES TO USE THE MONEY, CREATE A PROBLEM FOR OUR LEGISLATURE BECAUSE THEY HAD TO RUN AROUND AND TRY TO PUT THE FEDERAL MONEY IN CERTAIN HOLE AND MOVE MONEY OVER WHERE THEY COULDN'T USE FEDERAL MONEY.

BUT THIS IS SORT OF THE TRADITIONAL MO FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THEY NEVER GIVEN MONEY FOR NO STRINGS.

CONSERVATIVES ARE WORRIED THIS WILL LEAD TO MORE FEDERAL CONTROL OVER THE STATES.

>> LONGSTANDING ISSUE.

AT THIS POINT, THIS YEAR, WE WERE INDESPERATE NEED OF THAT MONEY.

STRINGS AND ALL, EVERY STATE WAS HAPPY TO RECEIVE THOSE FUND.

>> I THINK THAT THERE WAS, WHEN I NOTICED FIRST TIME, IT WAS WHEN THERE WAS A QUESTION OF WHETHER YOU COULD EXEMPT UNEMPLOYMENT FROM TAXES, BECAUSE THERE'S A A LOT OF PEOPLE GOT UNEMPLOYMENT AND DIDN'T PAY THE TAXES ON IT.

ONE OF YOUR COMMITTEES I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH ONE, GEE, IF WE GIVE THE TAX BREAK TO THE UNEMPLOYED FOLKS, WE'RE BREAKING THE FEDERAL RULE.

WAS IT LIKE THAT THIS YEAR?

EVERY TIME YOU TURNED A CORNER, THERE WAS ANOTHER RULE IN YOUR WAY?

>> THERE WERE A LOT OF CONCERNS MAKE SURE WE COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION.

BECAUSE WE DID NOT DID NOT WANT TO JEOPARDIZE RECEIPT OF THOSE FUNDS.

THAT CONCEPT IS NOT NEW CONCEPT WHERE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS ON US.

I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

RECENTLY OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE HAD A STATE LAW THAT ALLOWED FOR FREE PARKING FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES AT THE AIRPORT.

APP OTHER PUBLIC PARKING AREAS.

THE BILL CAME UP FOR RENEWAL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

WE LEARNED THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAD A RULE THAT SAID, THAT AIRPORTS, YOU CANNOT CREATE A, HAVE A LAW THAT CREATES REVENUE DIVERSION.

EV, FREE EV PARK CONSTITUTE THE REVENUE DIVERSION.

PENALTY POTENTIAL LOSS OF AIRPORT FUNDS.

WHY WE COULD NOT RENEW THE FREE EV PARKING BILL 2 YEARS AGO.

CONSTITUTED REVENUE DIVISION.

SAME CONCEPT HERE WITH THE RESCUE ACT.

>>Daryl: WHY I CAN'T PARK AT THE AIRPORT ANY MORE.

WHAT WAS THE THAT DOES BRING UP THE ISSUE OF EDUCATIONAL REFORM.

DID THEY MAKE ANY BIG CHANGES THE WAY THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS WORK OR FUNDED OR WAS THIS BASICALLY JUST PATCHING THE HOLES UNTIL LET SYSTEM ESCAPE WITHOUT BEING DAMAGED TOO BADLY?

>> PRETTY BEING HOLES.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BUDGETS IS JUST ABOUT THE LARGEST EXPENDITURE MAYBE DHS IS, BUT IT'S AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF THE STATE BUDGET.

AT THE SAME TIME SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAVING TO TEACH FROM HOME.

KIDS STUDY AT HOME.

MAKE EDUCATION A PRIORITY.

MICHELLE KIDANI CHAIR OF EDUCATION LOOKING FOR A LOTTERY, FUND SCHOOLS SALARIES FOR TEACHERS.

BOLD IDEA.

DIED.

BUT WE'RE BACK TO THAT SAME SITUATION.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET REVENUE FOR THE SCHOOLS.

YES, GOOD DEAL OF THAT FEDERAL MONEY WENT TO HELP COLIN POINTED OUT UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>>Daryl: ANOTHER QUESTION THAT CAME UP, ONE.

CALLERS WAS ABOUT DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS SUGGESTION THAT THERE BE A CASINO.

RECENT TRIP TO THE MAINLAND, I SAW MULTIPLE CASINOS USUALLY FAIRLY ISOLATED, AND THEN YOU GO ANOTHER 50 MILE DOWN ROAD, THERE'S ANOTHER CASINO.

USUALLY NATIVE AMERICAN RUN.

WHAT WAS REALLY WRONG WITH THAT IDEA?

DID YOU HELP THE HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS ENOUGH THIS YEAR, OR ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE TO BE COMING BACK HAT IN HAND TO YOU FOLKS EVERY YEAR?

SENATOR COACH, YOU GUYS AT LEAST GAVE THOSE BILLS A HEARING.

>> I SUPPORT CHAIRS WHO ASKED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE HEARING.

I'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR, INTERVIEWED, I'M NOT A BIG SUPPORT OF GAMING.

AS A WAY TO RESOLVE THE PROBABLES.

FACING THE STATE.

AND AS A SPEAKER SPOKE IN DETAIL, WE DID HAVE LARGE COMMITMENT TO THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN COMMUNITIES.

SENATOR CHAIRS HAWAIIAN CAUCUS.

STRONG ADVOCATE AND WORKED WITH HIS COUNTERPARTS IN THE HOUSE TO DELIVER WHAT WE THINK IS A GOOD PACKAGE.

HOPEFULLY, WE CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS AND GETTING NATIVE HAWAIIANS INTO HOMES.

WITHOUT HAVING TO LEGALIZE GAMBLING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>>Daryl: I SHOULD GIVE REPRESENTATIVE SAIKI DUE, I THINK HOUSE DID HOLD A HEARING ON THAT AND IT WAS KILLED AFTER JUST A FEW MOMENTS.

WE ONLY HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.

I WOULD LIKE TO EACH OF YOU, VERY BRIEFLY, ONE SENTENCE, TO SUMMARIZE WHAT WAS GOOD ABOUT THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

CHAD, YOU COULD START.

>> A LOT OF GOOD MEASURES REFORM MEASURE THAT DIED.

BECAUSE IT'S THE BIENNIAL SESSION, GOING TO DAIRY OVER TO NEXT YEAR.

CARRY OVER TO NEXT YEAR, LOT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, POLICE REFORM.

NO KNOCK WARRANTS BILL DIED.

CHOKEHOLD BILL DIED.

CIVIL ASSETS FORFEITURE BILL DIED.

SO MANY BILLS, GOOD THING IS LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING THESE IDEAS AND THEY ARE GOING TO CARRY OVER TO THE NECK SESSION.

HOPEFULLY COVID WILL BE OUT OF THE WAY.

BUDGET PROBLEMS.

ABLE TO ADDRESS REREAL REFORM.

>>Daryl: A LOT OF SEMICOLONS.

IN THAT SENSE.

HOW WOULD YOU SUMMARIZE THIS LEGISLATURE IN A SENTENCE.

>> STOPPED BLEEDING.

A LOT OF THAT WAS DUE TO FEDERAL FUNDS.

BUT IT'S STILL TOOK A LOT OF HARD WORK TO EXAMINE OUR BUDGET AND TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO MOVE THAT MONDAY.

>> WITHOUT THOSE FUNDS, MIDDLE CLASS FOLKS IN HAWAII PARTICULARLY PUBLIC EMPLOYEES WOULD BE IN DEEP TROUBLE RIGHT NOW.

>>Daryl: WE ARE ACTUALLY OUT OF TIME.

SORRY.

SENATOR KOUCHI AND REPRESENTATIVE SAIKI.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US VERY MUCH SO.

VERY PROACTIVE DISCUSSION.

MAHALO TO YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS: SENATE PRESIDENT RON KOUCHI, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SCOTT SAIKI, CHAD BLAIR FROM HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT, AND COLIN MOORE, DIRECTOR OF THE UH PUBLIC POLICY CENTER.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, IT’S BEEN OVER A YEAR SINCE COVID 19 WAS DECLARED A PANDEMIC.

THE VIRUS HAS TAKEN A TOLL ON THE PHYSICAL WELL BEING OF MILLIONS AND IT’S ALSO TAKEN A TOLL ON OUR MENTAL HEALTH.

WE’LL EXPLORE WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

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