>>Daryl: HOW WOULD YOU GRADE HAWAII'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION THIS YEAR?

LAWMAKERS POISE TO DO INCREASE STATE'S MAJOR, INFUSE RECORD AMOUNT OF FUNDING FOR HOMES FOR NATIVE HAWAIIANS AND CHANGE THE WAY MAUNA KEA IS MANAGED.

WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AT WHAT PAST PASSED AND WHAT DIDN'T.

JOIN US REVIEW 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

TONIGHT'S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OFFER PBS HAWAII STARTED NOW.

¶¶ ¶¶ >>Daryl: ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

I'M DARYL HUFF.

STATE LAWMAKERS TOOK THEIR FINAL VOTES ON HUNDREDS OF BILLS LAST THURSDAY.

BILLS REGARDING FUNDING FOR HAWAIIAN HOMES, RAISING THE STATE MINIMUM WAGE TO $18 AN HOUR OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS, OVERHAULING THE MANAGEMENT OF MAUNA KEA, INCREASING TEACHER PAY, AND BAIL REFORM ALL PASSED.

WHAT OTHER BILLS PASSED THIS SESSION?

WHAT BILLS DIDN’T?

OUR PANEL WILL REVIEW THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

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

YOU CAN EMAIL US OR CALL US WITH YOUR QUESTIONS.

WE ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE CONVERSATION ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

REPRESENTATIVE DELLA AU BELATTI SERVES DISTRICT 24 WHICH INCLUDES MAKIKI, TANTALUS, PAPAKOLEA, MCCULLY, PAWAA, AND MANOA.

SHE IS CURRENTLY THE HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER.

SHE RECEIVED HER UNDERGRAD DEGREE FROM PRINCETON UNIVERSITY AND COMPLETED LAW SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA.

BLAZE LOVELL IS A REPORTER FOR HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT.

HE COVERS STATE GOVERNMENT, THE LEGISLATURE, AND THE COURTS.

BORN AND RAISED ON OAHU HE GRADUATED FROM PEARL CITY HIGH SCHOOL BEFORE STUDYING JOURNALISM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS.

REPRESENTATIVE GENE WARD SERVES DISTRICT 17 WHICH IS COMPRISED OF HAWAII KAI AND KALAMA VALLEY.

HE IS THE MINORITY POLICY LEADER.

HE IS A VIETNAM VETERAN WHO SERVED AS A TRANSLATOR AND INTERPRETER.

HE RECEIVED A PH.D.

IN BUSINESS SOCIOLOGY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA.

AND JOINING US VIA ZOOM IS SENATOR GILBERT KEITH‑ARAGAN.

HE REPRESENTS THE FIFTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT THAT INCLUDES WAILUKU, WAIHEE, AND KAHULUI ON THE ISLAND OF MAUI.

HE GREW UP ON MAUI AND GRADUATED FROM YALE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY BOALT HALL SCHOOL OF LAW.

START WITH THE ONLY NONPOLITICIAN ON PANEL.

WHAT DO YOU THINK COMING LEGISLATURE WHAT IS THE MOST IMPACTFUL THING TO BE DONE THIS YEAR.

>> MOST WIDE RANGING IMPACT FUNDING MEASURES TO THE LEGISLATURE PASSED.

SPECIFICALLY $1 BILLION SET ASIDE FOR HOUSING INITIATIVES.

$600 MILLIONS GO TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO HOPEFULLY BUILD SOME HOMES OR ACQUIRE LAND.

OR PROVIDE MORTGAGE RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR SOME OF THE WAIT LISTERS ON THE DHHL WAIT LIST.

ALSO $300 MILLION SET ASIDE FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

REALLY, EVEN THOUGH ALL OF THIS MONEY, WHAT IT'S REALLY GOING TO COME DOWN TO HOW AGENCIES ARE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THESE PROGRAMS AND SPEND THESE FUNDS HOPEFULLY IN THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS.

OTHER THING BESIDE HOUSING LARGEST IMPACTED ON THE STATE IS MAUNA KEA BILL.

THAT TAKES MANAGEMENT AWAY FROM THE UNIVERSITY AND TRANSFERS IT TO AUTHORITY.

HOW THAT PLAYS OUT, IS ALSO SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WATCH FOR IN THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS.

>>Daryl: DO YOU THINK THAT TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, MAUNA KEA BILL WAS AN EFFORT TO ACTUALLY INCREASE CHANCES FOR THE TMT, 30‑METER TELESCOPE TO GET BUILT.

>> IN THE BILL, POLICY NOW TO BE A STATE.

KEEP ASTRONOMY THERE IF NOT BEING ABLE TO GROW IT.

LARGELY EVIDENT UP TO THE AUTHORITY.

DECIDE HOW MANY TELESCOPES STAY ON MAUNA KEA.

MAKE ASTRONOMY POLICY OF THE STATEMENT BILL REQUIRES THEM, TO HAVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND PROGRAMS ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN AND POSSIBLY PAVES THE WAY FOR TMT.

>>Daryl: REPRESENTATIVE WARD, YOU KNOW, RESPONDING TO WHAT HE SAID FROM CIVIL BEAT.

DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNMENT IN CURRENT STATE IS CAPABLE OF SPENDING THAT KIND OF MONEY $600 MILLION EFFECTIVELY FOR HAWAIIAN HOMES?

FIRST LET ME SAY THAT'S AMAZING WHAT YOU CAN DO WHEN YOU HAVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

YOU GET POLITICAL WILL.

THE CAPACITY THAT HAS BEEN SHOWN BY DHHL WOULD PROBABLY BE PUT THAT INTO QUESTION.

REMEMBER, IT'S BEEN 100 YEARS SINCE WE'VE ACTUALLY FUNDED THEM ADEQUATELY.

RATE WE'VE BEEN DOING WITH 28,000 ON THE WAIT LIST, PROBABLY ANOTHER 75 TO 85 YEARS BEFORE WE ACTUALLY FUND THEM.

THEY WILL GEAR UP WHETHER THEY DO IT AS STELLAR AS WE EXPECT THEM TO DO, YOU REMIND ME, I PUT A AMENDMENT ON THE FLOOR TO HAVE A KIND OF WATCHDOG COMMITTEE TO MAKE SURE THEY DO EXACTLY WHAT YOUR QUESTION IS LEANING TO.

MY COLLEAGUE TO THE RIGHT DID NOT VOTE FOR THAT AMENDMENT ON THE FLOOR.

BUT YEAH, THEY'RE NOT USED TO HAVING THAT MONDAY.

>> LIKE GIVING YOUR TEENAGE SON A COUPLE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND SAY, SPEND THIS WISELY.

THAT'S NOT EXACTLY THE CASE.

THEY KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO.

BUT THERE'S BEEN A LETHARGY BECAUSE THEY'VE NEVER HAD THE MONEY TO DO IT.

I'M CONFIDENT THEY'RE GOING TO SPEND IT WELL AND MORE HAWAIIAN HOUSING WITH THOSE FUNDS.

>> I'LL RESPOND TO THAT CHALLENGE.

I THINK WHAT WE DID WAS REQUIRED A TRANSITION PLAN.

AND SO WITH ALL OF THESE BIG BILLS, I THINK YOU HIT ON A REALLY IMPORTANT TOPIC.

HOW ARE WES AGENCIES GOING TO DELIVER.

MANY OF THE FUNDING MEASURES PUT FORWARD, TACKED ON FOLLOW‑UP AND OVERSIGHT.

THEY HAVE COME BACK AND SPEND THAT MONEY IN 3 YEARS.

PUBLIC LAND TRUST, AGREEMENT, SETTLEMENT, WE PUT DOWN A DOWN PAYMENT ON OUR OBLIGATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC LAND TRUST FUNDS.

BUT WE'RE ALSO REQUIRING WORKING GROUP TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND NEGOTIATE WHAT DOES THE REST OF THAT PUBLIC LAND TRUST OBLIGATION LOOK LIKE.

WE CAN GO DOWN THE LIST OF MANY THINGS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON.

AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE FOLLOW‑UP.

ONE THING NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART, DIDN'T GET A LOT OF COVERAGE, THIS SESSIONS BROADBAND INITIATIVE.

WE'RE GOING TO GET $200 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP BUILD UP BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS THE STATE.

WE'RE ALSO ASKING THAT A WORKING GROUP BE FORMED BETWEEN U.H.

AND THE DIGITAL EQUITY OFFICE TO BE ABLE TO MAP THINGS OUT.

>> I CAN SPECIFICALLY HAWAIIAN HOMES, GAVE THEM ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR POSITION THEY SAY THEY NEEDED IN ORDER TO DO TO SPEND THAT MONEY DOWN.

IF YOU LOOK BACK WHAT THE SENATE REQUIRE AND SENATE DRAFT 2 OF THE BILL, THEY ACTUALLY, WE ACTUALLY HAVE THEM LIST OUT PROJECTS THAT THEY THINK THEY COULD GET DONE BY 2028.

SO ALREADY, WE'VE KIND OF FORCED THEM TO START THE PLANNING FOR WHAT EXACTLY THEY'RE GOING TO SPEND THE MONEY ON.

THERE IS ALREADY A TEMPLATE AND OVERSIGHT FOR LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO BE SEEING HOW FAR ALONG ARE THEY IN ACTUALLY IMPLEMENTING THE VARY JUST PROJECTS.

SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT THEY NOTED ARE READY FOR CONSTRUCTION.

OTHER PROJECTS ARE IN THE PLANNING STAGE.

SOME OF THE PROJECTS LISTED ARE REALLY TO ACQUIRE THE PROPERTY THAT THEY NEED TO ACQUIRE IN ORDER TO BUILD THE UNITS.

I THINK WE ALSO ‑‑ >>Daryl: FOLLOW UP WHAT REPRESENTATIVE BELATTI I WAS SAYING.

SOMEHOW THEY HAVE SPEND THIS MONEY IN 3 YEARS THE WONDERING GIVEN THE REGULATORY APPROVALS, THAT ARE REQUIRED, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, ALL OF THOSE OTHER THINGS ALWAYS CONSTRAINED OUR ABILITY TO BUILD HOMES AT A RATE THAT THE POPULATION NEEDS, DID THOSE KIND OF REGULATIONS GET BYPASSED AT ALL IN ORDER TO GET THESE PROJECTS DONE?

>> WELL, NO.

NOT AT ALL.

IN FACT, NOT AT ALL, THAT'S WHAT WE ASKED THEM TO OUTLINE COMING UP WITH SENATE DRAFT IN WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.

GIVE US PROJECT.

REQUIRED THEM TO TELL US INCLUDING THE ENTITLEMENT PROCESS.

PROJECTS THAT THEY LISTED THAT THEY SAID WAS GOING TO BE POSSIBLE, BY 2028, GAVE US A LITTLE BIT OF IDEA OF EXACTLY WHAT THEY CAN BUILD.

AND OBVIOUSLY, IF THEY NEED TO COME BACK IN, LAPSE THE MONEY AND REAUTHORIZE.

SOMETHING WE WANT TO DO.

THIS JUST THE BEGINNING.

EVEN IF THEY WERE ABLE TO BUILD ALL THE PROJECTS THAT THEY LISTED, FOR US, THERE'S STILL, THAT'S STILL JUST GETS A PART OF THE PEOPLE ON THE WAIT LIST WITH HOMES.

SO I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ‑‑ JUST A START.

REALLY WHAT IT IS.

>>Daryl: LET ME ASK QUICK QUESTION.

DO YOU THINK, I KNOW YOU COVERED NATIVE HAWAIIAN ISSUES, DO YOU THINK THAT THIS IS A NEW RELATIONSHIP SAY, BETWEEN NATIVE HAWAIIAN COMMUNITY AND THE LEGISLATURE THAT WAS, BECAUSE THESE THINGS MANY OF THESE THINGS HAVE BEEN WAITING AND LANGUISHING FORM YEARS BEFORE ALL OF A SUDDEN, OTHER EXAMPLE IS WAIT LIST LAWSUIT GETTING SETTLED FOR THAT FAIRLY LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS A BIG CHANGE IN TERMS OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NATIVE HAWAIIAN COMMUNITY AND STATE GOVERNMENT?

>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HOPE THAT RELATIONSHIP IS CHANGING AND THAT'S MORE THERE NOW, NATIVE HAWAIIANS ARE GETTING MORE ACTIVITY INTO THE CAPITAL, PUSH THROUGH SOME OF THESE MEASURES.

BUT THIS IS ONLY JUST ONE SESSION.

YOU'VE GOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT'S GOING TO BE LIKE NEXT YEAR.

GOING TO BE OTHER PRIORITIES, HOMELESSNESS IS STILL A BIG PRIORITY FOR THE STATE.

HOUSE, FOOD PRODUCTION AGRICULTURAL.

>> DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT HASN'T BEEN FUNDED THIS YEAR WITH $2 BILLION SURPLUS.

EVEN WITH THE DHHL, $600 MILLION PUT A DEBT IN THE WAIT LIST.

DEPARTMENT ESTIMATED NEED $6 BILLION FUNDING TOTAL IF THEY WANT TO GET THROUGH THE ENTIRE WAIT LIST.

HAVE TO BE EVENTUALLY, SOME KIND OF PERMANENT FUNDING SOURCE.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT HE FLOATED IDEA OF PUTTING SOME TOURISM DOLLARS TOWARDS THAT.

HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

>>Daryl: YOU WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING?

>>I WANTED TO SAY, ANOTHER THING KIND OF THEME THIS YEAR IS THAT LEGISLATURE HAS REALLY CHALLENGED AGENCIES TO BE INNOVATIVE.

FOR EXAMPLE, WITH DHHL, NOT JUST ABOUT BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS BUT LOOKING AT MORTGAGE PAYMENT ASSISTANCE AND DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE.

SOME OF THAT MONEY ALSO GOING TO BE CHALLENGING DHHL TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT WAYS IN WHICH THEY CAN ADDRESS HOUSING ISSUE.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUE FOR NATIVE HAWAIIANS A ACROSS THE BOARD CHALLENGING AGENCIES TO DO AND BE MORE INNOVATIVE IN THIS TIME.

FOR EXAMPLE, AGRICULTURE.

FOOD SECURITY HAS BEEN A LONG TIME PRIORITY FOR GOVERNOR IGE.

WELL, WE PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO FOOD SECURITY THIS YEAR THAT DIDN'T GET COVERED.

THINGS LIKE FUNDING FOR A FOOD HUB PILOT PROGRAM.

WHICH WE JUST SAW CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU ADD ADDITIONAL $3 MILLION TO THAT PROJECT.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING AND AGAIN, PUSHING INNOVATION BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, HOSPITALS, REALLY TO GET MOVING ON ALL OF THESE ISSUES THAT WE SAW BECOME VERY IMPORTANT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>>Daryl: REPRESENTATIVE WARD?

>> I THINK YOU PUT YOUR FINGER ON SOMETHING WHEN YOU SAID IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN THE HAWAIIAN COMMUNITY GIVEN WHAT'S GOING ON.

HAWAIIAN RENAISSANCE 70s AND 80s.

CULTURAL PRIMARILY.

STARTED HAWAII KAI WITH THE PIG FARMER GEORGE SANTOS.

WENT ON AND ON.

NOW, I WOULD SUBMIT IT'S A POLITICAL RENAISSANCE.

AWAKING TO ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ISSUES BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY, AFTER A NUMBER OF YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE, AS YOU KNOW, I WOULD WATCH EVERY YEAR THE POSSIBLE PROBLEM THEY PUT OUT FOR THE HAWAIIAN CULTURE.

CULTURAL.

DANCING.

TAKE AND RUN WITH IT SO IT DOESN'T BEGIN AND END WITH THE 600.

HAWAIIANS SEND THAT EACH GET ABOUT 120,000.

>>Daryl: YOU WANTED TO ADD?

>> YEAH.

JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT THERE WAS STILL A LITTLE BIT MORE PROMPTING OBVIOUSLY.

BESIDES US WITH BORROWING GIVE US LESS PROJECTS THEY THINK THEY COULD DO.

ALSO PROMPTED THEM TO ACTUALLY LOOK AT DOING A RENTAL PROJECT ON HAWAIIAN HOMELANDS.

THAT MONEY, $41 MILLION, IS IN THE BUDGET.

SO THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY PRODUCE RENTALS FOR THE BENEFICIARIES.

SO I THINK, AGAIN, WE'RE SORT OF PUSHING THE DEPARTMENTS AS REPRESENTATIVE BELATTI MENTIONED.

FOR EXAMPLE, HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS ALWAYS JUST BASICALLY BUILT HUD INCOME TYPES OF PROJECTS BASICALLY.

THAT IS WHAT THEY USED TO BUILDING.

WE ACTUALLY ARE AUTHORIZING TO BUILD MIXED USE TYPE OF PROJECT, MEANING THEY CAN BUILD NOT JUST AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WORKFORCE HOUSING PROJECTS, THAT FIT UNDER HUD'S GUIDELINES DO SOMETHING FOR THE GAP GROUP.

THAT IS SOMETHING NEW.

I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HOPE THAT THEY'LL PURSUE AND LOOKING AND MAYBE MIGHT START AT MAYOR WRIGHT.

AT THE REDEVELOPMENT MAYOR WRIGHT AND HAVE UNITS THAT NOT JUST THOSE THAT FIT INTO THE GUIDELINES BUT ALSO, WILL BE ABLE PROVIDE AFFORDABLE RENTALS FOR THE GAP GROUP.

>>Daryl: WHAT OTHER ISSUES DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT?

>> JUST SO MANY AS YOU KNOW.

>>Daryl: SURPRISING TO YOU THAT GOT ACCOMPLISHED OR DIDN'T GET A ACCOMPLISHED?

>> QUITE A FEW BILLS THAT DEALT WITH PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN IN PRISON.

SOME RE‑ENTRY PROGRAMS, OTHER PROGRAMS WITHIN JAILS AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

BUT I MEAN, STILL, I THINK IT'S KIND OF HARD TO WRAP YOUR HEAD AROUND.

$2 BILLION SURPLUS WE HAD IN HOW ALL THAT WAS SPENT.

I THINK THAT'S WHY SO MUCH OF THE FOCUS HAS BEEN ON ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT FUNDING INITIATIVES THAT LEGISLATURE.

>>Daryl: LET ME ASK DELLA AU BELATTI.

REPRESENTATIVE WARD MADE INTERESTING COMMENT.

AMAZING HOW WHEN YOU HAVE A BILLION DOLLARS SURPLUS, ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU HAVE POLITICAL WILL.

IS THAT REALLY WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR?

FRANKLY, LOOKED TO ME A LITTLE BIT LIKE THAT.

WE ARE ALWAYS BEEN SO HAND AND MOUTH SEEMS LIKE FOR SO LONG.

AND THEN ONCE THERE'S THIS PILE OF MONEY, BOOM, NOW WE CAN DO THESE THINGS.

>> SO I WILL DISAGREE A LITTLE BIT WITH THE CHARACTERIZATION BECAUSE YOU KNOW, FOR ME, THE EXPERIENCE OF THE LAST TWO YEARS AND THE ROLLER COASTER OF BEING IN THE PANDEMIC AND THIS TIME LAST YEAR, WE WERE LOOKING AT DEFICITS AN WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW DO WE SHORE UP THE BUDGET.

DIDN'T KNOW WE WERE GOING TO HAVE BE HAVING THIS ECONOMIC REVENUE, RAINING DOWN ON US.

SO I REALLY THINK THE POLITICAL THERE IS THERE.

MONEY REALLY HELPS.

I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT WE FUNDED, ONE OF THE THINGS I'M PROUD OF THIS LEGISLATURE IS THAT WE TRY TO FUND THOSE THINGS THAT WE KNEW THERE WAS, WHERE WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE FOLLOW THROUGH.

FOR EXAMPLE, BLAZE IS TALKING ABOUT SOME.

WOMEN'S PILOT PROGRAMS AND THE COMMUNITY FURLOUGH PROGRAMS.

WE HAVE LONG KNOWN THAT MAYBE THAT IS AN AREA THAT WE CAN TACKLE SO THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO INVEST MONIES THERE.

ANOTHER THING WE FUNDED, THINGS LIKE ADULT DENTAL, I KNOW IS SOMETHING NEAR AND DEAR TO YOUR HEART.

LONG KNOWN THAT WE HAD DO THIS.

SO BY PUTTING OUR MONEY THERE, WE ARE COMMITTING TO THAT AND YES, IT'S NOW ACTIVE POLITICAL WILL.

SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO HAVE LONGTERM INVESTMENT AND IMPACT.

SO I DON'T THINK IT WAS JUST SPENDING SPREE AS SOME PEOPLE SAID, WILLY‑NILLY DOING THINGS.

WE REALLY LOOKED AT WHAT ARE THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE GOING HAVE THE MOST IMPACT.

WHERE ARE THE PLACES ALSO WE CAN ONE TIME INVESTMENT THAT WILL HAVE THAT IMPACT AND FUND IT.

FOLLOW‑UP IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE AS SENATOR AGARAN SAID, LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT MOVING FORWARD.

>>Daryl: INTERESTING THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS MANY OF THESE THINGS ARE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN ASKED FOR AND DISCUSSED FOR MANY YEARS.

NOT LIKE HERE'S MONEY.

LET'S DO THIS.

THIS NEW IDEA.

THESE ARE OLD IDEAS THAT ARE FINALLY GETTING FUNDED.

>> WHAT PEOPLE FORGET, JUST 3 YEARS AGO, RIGHT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, REMEMBER, THERE WAS A PACKAGE THAT BOTH HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED.

SOME OF THOSE ITEMS FELL OFF THE TABLE ONCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED.

STARTED GOING TO SPORADIC TYPE OF SESSION.

SOME OF THESE ITEMS PASSED.

STILL WORKED ON THEM.

WE INVESTED IN INFRASTRUCTURE TO HELP WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE PUT MONEY MORE MONEY INTO DRF AND OTHER FUNDS.

>> LOOKING AT WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN DO THE ITC, AS MAKE IT PERMANENT, MAKE IT REFUNDABLE.

THIS YEAR, SOME WAYS YES.

MONEY HELPS.

BUT IT'S NOT THINGS THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN WORKING ON AND LOOKING AT DOING.

>>I WANT TO JUMP IN HERE.

>>Daryl: STOP.

I HAVE TO HONOR OUR VIEWERS HERE.

QUESTIONS ARE STARTING TO PILE UP.

I KNOW YOU GUYS RESPECT THAT.

I'M GOING TO BE RUDE.

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

WHERE DID THE BUDGET SURPLUS COME FROM?

FRANCIS IN HONOLULU.

THAT'S KIND A GOOD FAIR QUESTION.

REPRESENTATIVE WARD, WHERE DID ALL OF THIS MONEY COME FROM?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

BECAUSE MY FOCUS THIS SESSION AS IT'S BEEN IN PREVIOUS SESSIONS, HAWAIIAN ISSUES BUT ALSO ECONOMIC ISSUES.

OF 60% OF HAWAII'S PEOPLE, ARE UNDER A.L.I.C.E., AS YOU KNOW, THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN ASSET INCOME CHALLENGED.

ALMOST 70%.

65% OF OUR PEOPLE ARE POOR.

THE DIFFICULTY WITH WHAT WE'VE DONE, WHICH WAS GOOD, NEVER DID ANY STRUCTURAL CHANGE OR ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION.

THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING, THE MONEY COMES, MONEY GOES.

IN TERMS ALL THE PEOPLE OUT THERE LOOK AT GAS PRICES ALMOST FIVE DOLLARS, SIX DOLLARS, FOOD PRICES, PEOPLE IN HAWAII ARE HURTING.

HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO HELP THE ECONOMY.

ONE OF THE THINGS REALLY HAVE HOPED FOR BUT REALLY FELL DISAPPOINT, IS THAT WE HAVE THE COVID TEST SYSTEM RIGHT HERE WITH PATRICK SULLIVAN, OCEANIT, SPIT IN A CUP, THING IN THE NOSE.

PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY.

HAVEN'T STARTED.

MONEY.

IN A BUDGET, ITEM THAT IS GOING TO GO OUT TO BID.

POINT IS WE HAVE GOT TO GET THE PIE TO GROW RATHER THAN KEEP SLICING IT UP.

TODAY WE HAD A PERCENT OF A BOOM IN THE THING WE GIVE IT TO THE HAWAIIANS.

WE HAVEN'T REALLY HELPED.

SIZE OF THE ECONOMY DOESN'T FIT THE NEEDS OF HAWAII'S PEOPLE.

THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE.

>> TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION, I THINK WHERE DID THE MONEY COME FROM.

WE CANNOT UNDER STATE ENOUGH HOW MUCH THE EFFECT OF FEDERAL DOLLARS HAD IN OUR ECONOMY.

UNLIKE THE LAST RECESSION, WE SAW MONIES, TOURISM MONEYS FALL OFF, WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT KIND OF INVESTMENT THAT WE SAW FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DO.

THINGS LIKE UNEMPLOYMENT.

SHORING UP PEOPLE AND SO WE CANNOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THAT.

NOW THAT ECONOMY PICKING BACK UP, REVENUES ARE JUST COMING IN.

WE ARE SEEING RECORD NUMBERS OF TOURISTS RETURNING AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN OPENED UP OUR INTERNATIONAL MARKET.

REVENUES ARE GOOD ALL ON LEVELS.

IS THAT CORRECT SENATOR?

>> BOTTOM LINE, TAX COLLECTIONS ARE UP.

SOUNDS COUNTERINTUITIVE WENT THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC WHERE EVERYBODY IS WORRIED ABOUT MONEY.

STATE RAKING IN RECORD AMOUNTS OF REVENUE.

BUT THAT'S KIND OF THE STORY IN A LOT OF PLACES.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE RICH.

GOT RICHER AND ECONOMIC DISPARITIES GREW.

TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, $2 BILLION CAME FROM SURPRISING AMOUNT OF TAX COLLECTIONS THAT HAVE COME IN OVER THE LAST YEAR.

>>Daryl: IT STRIKES ME THAT WHEREAS TAX RELIEF PROVIDED LOWER INCOME PEOPLE.

REBATE AND EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

DID YOU DO ANYTHING FOR THE EXCISE TAX FOR EXAMPLE, OR FOR THE INCOME TAX, WHICH ARE BOTH REGRESSIVE, MOSTLY EXCISE TAX.

VERY REGRESSIVE TAX.

IN THIS STATE, WE TAX PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

GROCERY.

RENT.

WITH ALL OF THIS MONEY, WHY WASN'T THERE AN EFFORT TO TAX SOME OF THOSE REGRESSIVE TAXES?

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACED IN COMING UP WITH A BUDGET.

WITH THE FEDERAL MONEY THAT CAME IN TO SHORE UP OUR ECONOMY, CAME A LOT OF CONDITIONS.

ONE OF THE CONDITIONS THAT WAS DIFFICULTY FOR US TO DEAL WITH IS THE FACT THAT IF WE WERE DO ANY KIND OF TAX CUTS, ON INCLUDING REBATES THAT WE DID FOR $100 AND $300, WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO RAISE TAXES.

IF WE ACTUALLY DID THAT FOR IN A WAY THAT SPENT MORE THAN $250 MILLION.

SO WE WERE KIND OF HAMSTRUNG BIT FACT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAD THESE RULES.

OTHER BIG RULE THAT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PLACED ON US FOR THE USE OF THE MONEY OF COURSE WAS THAT WE NEEDED TO MAINTAIN EFFORT IN TERMS OF THE BUDGETS THAT DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, MEANING 25 TO 26% OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET HAD TO GO TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND WE HAD TO MAINTAIN 6% OF GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

ANY TIME THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT MAKING CHANGES IN SOME OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS, THAT IS ABOUT 31% OF WHATEVER WE DID, ALSO HAD TO GO INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

SO YEAH, I THINK WE'RE PRIME IF ASSUMING NOW COUNCIL ON REVENUES GIVES US ANOTHER UPDATE REVENUES HIGHER NEXT YEAR.

I THINK WE'RE PRIMED TO CONSIDER MAKING SOME TAX CHANGES.

I THINK WE FINALLY WE SHOULD BE GETTING A REPORT FROM THE NEW TAX REVIEW COMMISSION AND I THINK WE'LL PROBABLY TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY ANY KIND OF RECOMMENDATIONS THEY HAVE BECAUSE NEXT YEAR, THE FEDERAL OBLIGATION IS DONE.

WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THE MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT.

WE CAN GO AHEAD AND LOOK AT REDUCING TAXES AND NO LONGER BOUND BY THE LIMITS THEY PLACED ON US.

>>Daryl: REPRESENTATIVE WARD DID YOU HEAR THAT?

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, GIL I HEARD YOU SAY WE'RE GOING TO REDUCE TAXES BECAUSE WE ARE THE HIGHEST TAX IN THE NATION.

HIGHEST COST OF LIVE IN THIS NATION.

I'M GLAD WE'RE ON PUBLIC TELEVISION BECAUSE AS YOU SAID, WE'VE HEARD IT HERE PUBLICLY.

KEEP DEMOCRATS THEIR WORD TO LOWER TAXES.

G.E.

TAXES FOR MEDICINE AND BASIC STUFF.

FEMININE HYGIENE.

>> CAN'T GET THOSE BILLS THROUGH.

AT THE SAME TIME, SURPLUS BECAUSE WE HAVE THE HIGHEST TAXES.

DUH.

NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.

>> YOU COVERED IT ENOUGH TO REALIZE THAT THEY LOVE THE EXCISE TAX AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

>> YES.

COVERED IT LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW PROBABLY NOT GOING TO REDUCE IT TOO MUCH.

THERE WERE A COUPLE OF BILLS AT LEAST MAKE MORE EXEMPTIONS.

ALREADY GOT A FEW, WELL, NOT A FEW A LOT OF EXEMPTIONS FOR A CERTAIN SPECIAL INTEREST FOR SHIPPING, HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.

ONE OF THE BILLS WOULD HAVE EXEMPTED THINGS LIKE FOOD OR MEDICINE OR FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS FROM THAT.

REALLY PUT A LOT OF BURDEN ON THE LOWER INCOME FOLKS.

OVERALLDECREASE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

DON'T SEE THAT.

>> VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SMALL BUSINESSES.

SO WE DID LOWER MAKE SURE I GET THIS RIGHT.

LOOKING AT SENATOR AGARAN.

LOWER RATING SO THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO JUMP UP INTO THE HIGHER FOR SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE STRUGGLING.

YOU KNOW, WITH THE OBLIGATIONS NOW OF THE HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE WE'RE PUTTING ON, PERSONALLY REALLY SUPPORT THE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PROGRAM THAT WE PASSED.

HOPEFULLY IMPLEMENT AS OPT IN PROGRAM.

SENSE THAT SMALL BUSINESSES WEREN'T GETTING RELIEF THEY NEEDED AND THEY'RE STILL STRUGGLING.

HAVE TO REMEMBER THEY'RE STILL STRUGGLING.

NOW STRUGGLING WITH LABOR SHORTAGES AND SO WE DID OFFER SOME SMALL BUSINESS TAX RELIEF.

>> DESCRIBE THAT RETIREMENT PROGRAM.

HOW THAT'S SUPPOSED WORK.

>> UNLESS WANT TO HAVE SENATOR.

I DON'T WANT TO HOG THE COVERAGE.

IT'S A PROGRAM THAT IS GOING TO BE OPT IN FOR PRIVATE BUSINESSES THAT DON'T OFFER RETIREMENT PLANS.

AND FOR ALL WORKERS.

INSTEAD OF OPT OUT PROGRAM, HAS BEEN ADOPTED IN MANY OTHER STATES HAWAII HAS TAKEN WHAT WAS THE IDEA FROM AARP, ADVOCATES, BE PROVIDING I BELIEVE $500 INCENTIVE FOR PEOPLE TO OPT INTO THE PROGRAM.

HAVE AN EFFECT ON KIND OF BUILDING THE NUMBERS.

WHAT EXPERIENCE IN OTHER STATES IS THAT THEY STRUGGLE.

>>Daryl: THIS IS A PROGRAM WHERE IF I'M A SMALL BUSINESS PERSON, I HAVE AN EMPLOYEE, I CAN DIVERT SOME PORTION OF THEIR PAYROLL INTO A RETIREMENT PLAN FOR THEM.

>> YES.

THAT OPT‑IN PROGRAM.

MATCHING STATE INCENTIVE.

THIS IS REALLY, I LOVE THIS LEGISLATION BECAUSE IT WAS REALLY BEING ADVOCATED FOR BY AARP BUT HELPING ALL WORKERS AND ESPECIALLY YOUNGER WORKERS GETTING THEM TO START SAVING EARLY.

>>Daryl: VIEWER, MOVE ON MORE OF SOCIAL ISSUES AND CRIME AND PUNISHMENT.

IT SAYS, MIKE FROM MAKIKI, FOR BLAZE, WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON BAIL REFORM ISSUE.

INTERESTING STORY BECAUSE IT WAS KIND OF OFF THE RADAR FOR A LONG TIME.

AFTER LEGISLATIVE SESSION WAS OVER, HAD A LITTLE SPIKE IN CRIME, EVERYONE POINTING AT BAIL REFORM ISSUE AS A BAD IDEA.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS AT PLAY THERE?

>> COMING HERE FOR A WHILE.

I MEAN, THIS IS NEW CASH BILL REFORM AT THE LEGISLATURE NOT REALLY NEW IDEA.

I THINK IN 2018, JUDGE TRADER GROUP URGENTLY PROPOSED IT.

AFTER DOING THIS KIND OF WORKING GROUP TO LOOK AT WHAT KIND OF PRETRIAL REFORM LEGISLATURE SHOULD MAKE.

IT DIED LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

FINALLY PASSED THIS YEAR.

IT DIDN'T REALLY ‑‑ I COVERED IT IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AT THE END.

MY TAKE WHAT HE WAS IT DIDN'T REALLY SATISFY EITHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES OR LAW ENFORCEMENT GROUPS AND PROSECUTORS.

NO ONE REALLY GOT EVERYTHING THEY WANTED.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES WANTED LESS RESTRICTION.

LAW ENFORCEMENT WANTED MORE OR DIDN'T WANT IT AT ALL.

BUT THE BILL STILL HAS QUITE A FEW EXEMPTIONS.

THERE'S AT LEAST 14 OR 16 IF THE OFFENSE INVOLVED ASSAULT OR THREATENING SEXUAL ASSAULT, ABUSE OF HOUSEHOLD MEMBER.

OTHER OFFENSES WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER THIS CASH BILL, BILL.

ALSO, THERE'S A CATCH ALL SOMEWHERE IN THE BILL THAT SAYS IF A JUDGE DECIDES THAT SOMEONE COULD BE A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC OR RUN THE RISK OF RECIDIVIZING, GO TO JAIL COME BACK OUT.

IMPOSE BAIL.

I'M NO LAWYER BUT SEEMS TO GIVE JUDGES SOME DISCRETION.

>>Daryl: ON THAT BILL, WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT IS THAT JUST SAYING SOMEONE IS NONVIOLENT OFFENDER REALLY OFTEN UNDER STATES THE RISK TO THE COMMUNITY THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO BREAK THE LAW, ESPECIALLY REPEATEDLY, EVEN IF IT'S MINOR CRIMES, ARE A DANGER IN EVENTUALLY, WILL ESCALATE AND YOU SEE THEM FATALLY CONCHING SECURITY GUARD OVER THE HEAD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK THE LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE TO THE BILL NOW IT'S OUT AND DEBATED IN THE COMMUNITY?

>> I THINK KEY TO THIS ENTIRE ISSUE IS REALLY READING THE BILL AND READING ACTUAL LANGUAGE.

I THINK BLAZE TALKED ABOUT A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT EXCLUSIONS.

JUST APPLIES IN LARGE PART TO FIRST TIME OFFENDERS.

AND FOR NONREALLY NONVIOLENT CRIMES.

AGAIN, AS HE MENTIONED, IF FOR FOR SOME REASON, PROSECUTORS SHOULD BE SET AND SOME SORT OF RISK TO THE COMMUNITY AND SOME SORT OF RISK RECIDIVISM.

IN THE BILL BROADLY WE CAN ASK JUDGE TO REQUIRE BAIL.

WHAT IT REALLY DOES IS TAKE A LOOK AT THE TESTIMONY FROM JUDICIARY ITSELF, THEY BASICALLY SAID THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THIS THEY WERE LOOKING FOR IN THE LEGISLATION IS WHETHER MAINTAINS AND FITS, ONE, MAINTAIN PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE.

>> ALL MARK OF ENTIRE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

DOES IT ENSURE APPEARANCE OF A DEFENDANT?

MINIMIZE RISK OF DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY?

AND DOES IT ENSURE EQUAL TREATMENT OF PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF RACE, WEALTH OR SOCIAL CLASS?

I THINK ONE OF THE CRITICISMS OF BAIL, CASH BAIL, ALWAYS BEEN CRIMINALIZES POVERTY.

PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD END UP BEING HELD IN CUSTODY AND PAST, SOMETIMES FOR LONGER THAN WHAT THEY'RE SENTENCE WOULD HAVE BEEN IF THEY WERE ACTUALLY CONVICTED.

ONE OF THE KEY THINGS FOR ME, WHEN LOOKING AT THE TESTIMONY, WAS THAT JUDICIARY SAID THAT PROPOSED LEGISLATION ACCOMPLISHED THESE GOALS.

SO FOR SOME.

CRITICS WHO SAY THIS WAS TAKING AWAY DISCRETION OF THE JUDGES, JUDGES AT LEAST IN JUDICIARY IN TESTIFYING BASICALLY SAID THAT THIS LEGISLATION FIT THE GOALS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>>Daryl: IF THIS BILL WAS GOING TO BE, SO NARROWLY FOCUSED NOT GOING TO LET HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AVOID JAIL, WHY DID YOU THEN NOT FUND THE NEW JAIL?

THERE SEEMED TO BE CONNECTION, WE'RE DOING BAIL REFORM.

MAYBE WE DON'T NEED A JAIL.

IS THERE A CONNECTION BETWEEN THAT BILL AND THE FACT THAT YOU DON'T FEEL THAT WE NEED A NEW JAIL?

>> I THINK THERE'S A CONNECTION IN THE SENSE THAT WE KNOW THAT THE JAILS ARE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE ARE CYCLING.

FOR SOME, HOMELESSNESS TYPES OF CRIME THAT PEOPLE ARE BEING BROUGHT IN FOR.

SO WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT, ONE, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT BUILDING NEW PRISONS.

IT'S ABOUT FUNDING PROGRAMS.

AND MAKING SURE PEOPLE GET INTO THOSE PROGRAMS.

SO LAST YEAR, ACTUALLY, WE PASSED A BILL THAT WAS A PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE COURTS TO DEAL WITH THESE NONVIOLENT MISDEMEANORS, PETTY MISDEMEANORS THAT MAY HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND HOW DO WE GET THEM AND MOVE THEM INTO THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM VERSUS JAIL SYSTEM.

THAT IS HOW THOSE TWO THINGS ARE CONNECTED.

>>Daryl: WHAT YOU'RE SAYING YOU HAVE ACTUALLY PASSED THINGS THAT WILL KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF JAIL BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO GET HELP THEY NEED INSTEAD OF JUST BAIL OR NOT?

>> YES.

WE WANT ‑‑ WE KNOW THAT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES ON THE STREET ARE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES.

NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS ARE GETTING BROUGHT IN FOR URINATION OR LOITERING OR TRESPASSING.

THOSE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS AND GET THEM THE HELP THEY NEED IF THEY'RE IN THAT TYPE OF SITUATION.

>>Daryl: YOUR FEELINGS ON THAT.

>> DIFFICULTY IS 80% OF THE PEOPLE IN PRISON HAVE SOME MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTY.

80% OF THE PEOPLE IN THE MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTIONS HAVE SOME KIND OF MISDEMEANOR OR FELONY CHARGE.

SO THE POINT IS WE'RE BASICALLY WAREHOUSING THESE PEOPLE.

AND THIS BILL WHICH I CALL GET OUT OF JAIL FREE BILL, IS TO DO WHAT YOU EXACTLY SAID.

FREE UP PRISON.

OVERCROWDING IS NOT FAIR.

BE ABLE TO CUT IT DOWN.

THAT'S LETTING THESE PEOPLE OUT.

CASE IN POINT WHY THIS IS BAD, NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE MAINLAND, AND RECIDIVISM IS LEFT RIGHT FRONT AND CENTER WITH THE SMASH AND GRAB, AND PEOPLE ARE GOING WITH IMPUNITY.

IT'S HERE WHERE THE KAPOLEI COURTHOUSE IS THE CASE IN POINT, JUST LET A PERSON OUT WHO THEN WENT OUT IN BLUDGEONED A HOMELESS WOMAN.

POLICE STATION.

RIGHT AT THE POLICE STATION.

AT THE KAPOLEI POLICE STATION.

NOT THE COURTHOUSE.

>>Daryl: LET ME ASK.

REPRESENTATIVE WARD, DO YOU KIND OF AGREE THAT WE DON'T REALLY NEED A BIG JAIL, WE DO NEED TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH.

>> WE NEED PROGRAMS.

WE HAVE THE MONEY.

DIDN'T PUT THE MONEY INTO THE PROGRAMS.

DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS SO NEED.

LACKING ALL OF THAT.

OTHER DIFFICULTY IS WE DON'T GIVE THEM SKILLS, EVEN IDs PASS A BILL FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM TO PROVIDE IDs FOR PRISONERS TO GET OUT.

75% OF RECIDIVISM PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM.

IF YOU WENT TO THE DOCTOR, 75% IT'S TIME, YOU NEVER GOT HEALED WOULD YOU KEEP GOING TO THE DOCTOR?

IF YOU WENT TO THE DOCTOR.

THAT'S THE WAY OUR PRISON SYSTEM IS WORKING.

>>Daryl: I NEED TO MOVE ON.

I'M GETTING MORE QUESTIONS.

NOT ONE BILL PASSED CONCERNING FIREWORKS.

WHAT HAPPENED?

ISSUE THAT REALLY BOTHERS OUR COMMUNITY.

>> CAN I ADDRESS THAT?

BILL THAT SAYS WE WILL AUTHORIZE THE COUNTIES TO PAY YOU TO TELL ON YOUR NEIGHBORS THAT THEY HAVE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS.

SPY NETWORK COUNTIES PAY PEOPLE TO TURN IN THEIR NEIGHBORS BECAUSE OF FIREWORKS.

THAT'S REALLY EXTREME.

DIDN'T PASS.

BUT IT'S THINKING OF HOW DESPERATE IT IS FOR SOME PEOPLE TO THINK THAT FIREWORKS ARE SO BAD.

>>Daryl: ON FIREWORKS ISSUE, THERE WAS SOME POINT DECLARATION AS I RECALL, THAT ACTUALLY GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT FIREWORKS THIS YEAR.

JANUARY AFTER NEW YEAR'S, BY MARCH, EVERYONE SEEMS TO HAVE FORGOTTEN.

WONDERING, WHAT WAS YOUR TAKE ON WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE FIREWORKS AND WHY THEY STRUGGLE SO MUCH WITH ACTUALLY DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS IN THIS STATE?

>> I LOVE MY REALLY OLD STUDIES.

ABOUT A DECADE OR MORE THAN A DECADE AGO, LEGISLATURE ACTUALLY COMMISSIONED A STUDY ON THIS.

I THINK FOLLOW‑UP WAS CALLED BLAST FROM THE PAST.

MADE RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU WANT TO TAMP DOWN FIREWORKS USE.

ALLOW INSPECTIONS OF THE DOCKS.

GIVE MORE RESEARCHERS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

ACTUALLY DON'T THINK RECOMMENDED RAISING FUNDS.

>> PLAN, IT EXISTS, LAYS OUT A ROAD MAP FOR LAWMAKERS COULD DO IF THEY WANT TO.

EVERY YEAR, THIS COMES UP AND WE WRITE ABOUT IT.

TALK TO THE PEOPLE WHO PUSH FOR THOSE REFORMS.

JUST SEEMS THERE ISN'T THE POLITICAL WILL WITHIN THE LEGISLATURE.

REFLECTIVE OF BROADER COMMUNITY.

YOU GO OUT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.

SEE HOW MANY ARROWS OUT THERE.

FILLS UP NIGHT SKY.

LIKE DAYLIGHT.

IF THERE ISN'T THE POLITICAL WILL IN THE COMMUNITY, I REALLY DOUBT THERE'S GOING TO BE POLITICAL WILL IN THE LEGISLATURE TO MOVE ANYTHING.

>> BILL PASSED INCREASING FINE.

FROM 2,000 TO $5,000.

IS THERE MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH FIREWORKS?

CERTAINLY.

BUT THIS IS THE KIND OF THING WE HAVE TO KEEP COMING BACK TO.

WE NEED TO LOOK AND FIGURE OUT THE WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN ADDRESS THIS.

THIS MEANS LOOKING AT WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE DOCKS.

SEEING WHERE IT'S COMING IN.

>> NOT EASY TO CHANGE CULTURE.

TOO INGRAINED WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES TO JUST SAY, FLIP, WE'RE GOING TO TURN IT OFF.

NOT GOING TO BE THAT EASY BUT IT HAS TO BE STUDY.

>>Daryl: THERE'S A DIRECT QUESTION TO YOU.

I WOULD LIKE TO BROADEN IT OUT A LITTLE BIT.

SOMEONE NAMED CHADWICK ON FACEBOOK SAYS.

AS MAUI SAID, WHY HAVEN'T YOU PUSHED TO FUND HONOAPIILANI HIGHWAY.

AFFECTED DUE TO SEA LEVEL RISE.

MANY OTHER ROADS AFFECTED BY THE SEA LEVEL RISE ON OTHER ISLANDS AS WELL.

WHERE IS THE ACTION OR ACTIONS TAKEN ON SEA LEVEL RISE AT THIS LEGISLATURE?

I KNOW THERE WAS SOME FUNDING FOR TO MOVE ROADS AND SO ON.

WE HAD A HOUSE FALL INTO THE OCEAN RECENTLY.

THE DEPARTMENT OF LANDS THAT'S WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT THAT?

>> I GUESS THE QUESTION IS, MAYBE HASN'T FOLLOWED EVERYTHING THAT WAS DONE THIS YEAR.

THERE WAS FUNDING IN THE BUDGET TO YOU WILL ACTUALLY MOVE SOME OF THE STATE ROADS ON THE SHORELINE.

AND THERE WAS LEGISLATION THAT ACTUALLY REQUIRED DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO TAKE SEA LEVEL RISE INTO CONSIDERATION.

WHEN THEY PLAN NEW ROADS.

WHEN THEY REPLACE ROADS.

SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE NEVER REQUIRED D.O.T.

TO DO.

NOW, WE'RE GOING FORWARD, ONE OF THE THINGS THEY WILL HAVE TO DO.

I THINK THAT FUNDING THAT WE PROVIDED TO D.O.T.

NORTH SHORE AND OAHU WAS AIMED AT SHORING UP THE ROADWAYS AND ALSO, MOVING THEM OUT.

I THINK RECENTLY, DURING THE BIG RAINSTORM, WE KNOW THAT ON MAUI, PARTS OF KAUPO COMPLETELY CUT OFF PARTS PAVED FELL INTO THE OCEAN.

SO WE KNOW THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>>Daryl: LET ME ASK, THERE WAS A BILL, MAYBE YOU REMEMBER THIS.

A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE SAND BURRITOS AND BILL THAT WOULD HAVE CRACKED DOWN ON THOSE I BELIEVE.

WATERED DOWN TO A STUDY.

IS THIS ANOTHER ISSUE OF POLITICAL WILL WHERE NOT REALLY WILLING TO STAND UP TO HOMEOWNERS AND SAY YOU BOUGHT A HOUSE TOO CLOSE TO THE OCEAN.

IT'S YOUR LOSS?

>> IT'S POSSIBLE.

I THINK THE BILL YOU WERE THINKING OF, WOULD HE REQUIRE THEM TO IDENTIFY SAND BURRITO.

JOKING THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO NAME YOUR SAND BURRITO.

FEW OTHERS.

>> THAT BILL PASSED.

THAT BILL DID PASS.

IT'S SITTING IN THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

HOUSE BILL 2006.

>>Daryl: WHAT WOULD IT DO?

>> REQUIRES FOR AN EMERGENCY PERMIT TO INSTALL SAND BAGS.

THAT THE DLNR INCLUDE AS EMERGENCY PERMIT REQUIREMENT A IDENTIFYING INFORMATION INCLUDING PERMITEES CONFIRMATION AND PERMIT TO THE SANDBAG.

TAKING SOME STEPS FORWARD IN INSURING EMERGENCY PERMITS FOR THIS.

>>Daryl: WHAT HAPPENS IF, SO DOS THIS FORCE DLNR TO MAKE A DECISION?

THAT'S BEEN SORT OF THE ISSUE, THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN MAKING THESE DECISIONS, SAID, I MEAN, THEY MOVED TO FINE ONE GUY RECENTLY.

A LOT OF THEM HAD EXPIRE PERMITS ALREADY.

KNOW THEY'RE EXPIRED TO ALLOWED TO LAY THERE.

>> DON'T KNOW THIS TACKLES THAT PARTICULAR PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY.

WE KNOW THERE IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE.

IT'S HITTING ALL OF OUR SHORELINES.

GOING TO BE A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO TACKLE.

THIS NOTION WE CAN JUST BAIL OUT COASTAL PROPERTIES, THAT IS NOT REALLY THE SOLUTION.

WE'VE GOT TO ATTACK THIS MORE SYSTEMATICALLY.

I KNOW THAT WE TRIED WITH LEGISLATION TO DO PILOT PROJECTS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF STATE.

ALA WAI BEING ONE OF THEM.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CORRECT SOLUTION IS.

AND THE FINANCIAL FIX FOR THIS IS GOING TO QUICKLY EAT UP ANY KINDS OF REVENUES THAT WE HAVE.

>>Daryl: INTERESTING QUESTION.

I REMEMBER DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS.

IT'S GOT SUCH A BIZARRE TITLE.

EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY BILL.

I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT IT.

BUT THIS QUESTION WANTS TO KNOW, WHY THE BILL DID NOT MOVE.

EP BILLS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD LOGICAL NEXT STEP IN ADDRESSING PACKAGING WASTE.

SO I GUESS SENATOR OR REPRESENTATIVE, CAN ONE OF YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THAT IS ABOUT AND WHY, WHAT WAS IT SUPPOSED TO ADDRESS AND BROADLY, WHAT WAS DONE TO ADDRESS WASTE EXTREME RECYCLING ALL SORTS OF ISSUES THIS YEAR?

WASTE STREAM.

>> TWO BILLS.

ONE BILLS DID PASS.

ONE WAS TO SORT OF CHANGE THE WAY WE DEAL WITH ELECTRONIC WASTE.

TO ADD NUMBER OF OTHER ITEMS WHAT NEEDS TO BE RECYCLED.

THEN THE OTHER ONE WAS TO LOOK AT PACKAGING OF CERTAIN THINGS.

WHAT IS GOING TO BAN CERTAIN SUBSTANCES IN PACKAGING.

OTHER BILL, I'M NOT SURE.

WHEN THINGS GO TO CONFERENCE.

ISSUES AND I DON'T THINK THEY EVER, I CAN'T REMEMBER IF THAT BILL EVEN CAME TO A MEETING, CONFERENCE.

I BELIEVE THAT CONFEREES MAY HAVE BEEN APPOINTED.

I DON'T RECALL A MEETING BEING HELD ON THAT BILL.

>> LET ME TACKLE THAT.

THAT IS A, I WOULD SAY FAIRLY NEW ISSUE AT THE LEGISLATURE.

LOOK, SOLID WASTE HOW WE DEAL WITH IT, HAVE TO GET BETTER ABOUT HOW WE RECYCLE THINGS.

BUT I THINK THAT IDEA NEEDS LITTLE BIT MORE THOUGHT PUT BEHIND IT.

>>Daryl: WHAT WAS THE IDEA?

I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.

FROM THE TITLE.

>> I THINK IT'S NOTION SO MUCH PACKAGING AND WE NEED TO REDUCE WASTE AND PACKAGE.

>> HOW WE HANDLED WITH PLASTIC BANS AND PLASTIC BAG BANS.

SMALL BUSINESS CHALLENGED WITH THAT AND STILL STRUGGLING WITH THOSE KIND OF REGULATION.

AGAIN, KIND OF NEWER ISSUE BUT HOW DO WE REDUCE PACKAGING WASTE.

>>Daryl: BRINGS UP LARGER ISSUE.

JUST THE ENVIRONMENT IN GENERAL, WHERE DID YOU SEE THAT MIGHT HAVE PASSED OR DIDN'T PASS, THAT WOULD ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES?

>> I THINK ONE THAT CLEAN ENERGY ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR A WHILE.

REBATE PROGRAM.

FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGE STATIONS.

HAWAII HAS A LOT MORE PEOPLE TRYING TO BUY EVs.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS THERE ISN'T ALWAYS CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS READILY AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO CHARGE YOUR CAR.

IF YOU'RE ABLE TO AFFORD THE CAR, BUT YOU CAN'T AFFORD A TESLA CHARGING STATION.

TO PUT IN YOUR HOME.

OR IF YOU DON'T HAVE A HOME AND YOU RENT AND BUILDING DOESN'T HAVE ONE.

THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN GO AND CHARGE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE WOULD BE WHEN YOU GO TO SHOP AT WORKPLACE.

SO THE REBATE PROGRAM WOULD KIND OF INCENTIVIZE DEVELOPERS, BUILDING OWNERS, LANDOWNERS TO PUT IN THOSE CHARGING STATIONS TO HELP PEOPLE OUT.

>>Daryl: LARGER PICTURE, SOLAR ENERGY, DO WE HAVE, ARE THERE THINGS TO ENCOURAGE SOMEONE?

I SEE A CALLER, ISSUES WHERE IT'S SO DIFFICULT TO GET A BIG INDUSTRIAL SIZE SOLAR FARM OUT THERE, SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER THAT NEEDED TO BE STREAMLINED OR THERE WAS A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT WHETHER SOLAR FARMS ARE APPROPRIATE ON SOME KINDS OF PROPERTY.

DID YOU MAKE PROGRESS IN TERMS MEETING OUR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY GOALS THIS YEAR.

>> ONE OF THE CHALLENGES SOLAR INDUSTRY IS HAVING SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUE.

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC DID PUT ON RFP ON A LOT OF ITEMS.

>> ESPECIALLY ON MY ISLAND.

TO ACTUALLY GET NEW POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS SET UP AND HAVE THESE NEW DEVELOPERS COME IN.

AND I KNOW THAT SOME OF THEM ARE HAVING SOME DIFFICULTY IN ACTUALLY GETTING PROJECTS TO GO FORWARD EVEN AFTER GOING ENTITLEMENTS MAINLY BECAUSE THERE'S A SHORTAGE OF GETTING MATERIALS.

>> A LOT OF THE MATERIALS ARE PRODUCED IN CHINA.

AND I THINK GOING FORWARD, THAT MAY BE A CONTINUING CHALLENGE.

THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS I THINK THAT WE'VE GOT SOME BILLS THAT PASSED TAKE A LOOK AT CAN WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT CREATING GETTING HYDROGEN.

I THINK THERE'S A MONEY PUT INTO STUDYING THAT.

I THINK NATURAL ENERGY LAB IS GOING TO DO THAT.

I BELIEVE THAT THERE MAY BE SOME OTHER BILLS THAT WERE OUT THERE, TOOK A LOOK AT HOW ARE WE GOING TO MEET THE PORTFOLIO STANDARDS BY THE DEADLINE THAT WE SET.

>>Daryl: ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, WHAT WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS DO YOU THINK?

>> THERE WERE A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT BILLS ADDRESSING THE CESSPOOL PROBLEM.

TRYING TO SHUT DOWN CESSPOOLS AND MAKING SURE EVERYONE TRANSFERS OVER TO BETTER SYSTEMS.

THERE WAS SOME WORK DONE THERE.

REALLY IMPORTANT.

ALSO, THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF FUNDING IN DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES FOR INVASIVE SPECIES, ADDRESSING AXIS DEER ON THE NATIVE HAWAIIANS.

RAPID OHIA DEATH.

A LOT OF WATERSHED PROTECTION MEASURES THAT WE FUNDED.

>> A LOT ALSO WAS DONE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

I WILL ALSO SAY THAT HOW WE MANAGE TOURISM CONTINUES TO ALSO BE A KEY PRIORITY.

I THINK AS WE SEE MORE TOURISTS COME BACK, SEE PRECIOUS PLACED UPON BOTH NATURAL RESOURCES RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES.

>> ALSO CONTINUE TO PUT MONEY AND EFFORT TOWARDS THE RESERVATIONS SYSTEM.

FOR OUR STATE PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

>>Daryl: WERE THERE THINGS JUMP OUT AT YOU AREAS OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT?

>> ON THE ENVIRONMENT, MY DISTRICT HAS HANAUMA BAY.

HANAUMA BAY IS COMING BACK TO LIFE BECAUSE COVID BASICALLY SHUT IT DOWN.

BUT IT WAS VARIOUS RESEARCH THAT INDICATED THERE ARE CERTAIN CHEMICALS WITHIN THE SUNSCREEN THAT BASICALLY KILLS THE CORAL.

THAT WAS A BILL THAT WE PASSED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, BUT THE ONE THIS YEARS WAS TO SAY, ANY CHEMICAL NOT FDA APPROVED SHUNNED BE IN SUNSCREEN.

DIDN'T COME THROUGH.

CORALS COMING BACK TO BE LIFE.

METHODS WHERE THEY CAN TRANSPLANT AND REPOPULATE IF YOU WILL, CORAL REEFS.

>>Daryl: THAT REMINDS ME, KIND OF WHAT SENATOR BELATTI WAS SAYING, WHAT EMERGED AS THE TOURISM POLICY OUT OF THIS LEGISLATURE?

>> I THINK WHAT WE WANTED TO DO WAS BASICALLY, PROVIDE OVERSIGHT.

SAID THEY'VE BEEN DOING, SHIFTING FROM JUST TRYING TO BRING IN MORE TOURISTS TO ACTUALLY TRYING TO HELP DO A LITTLE BIT MORE MANAGEMENT.

I MEAN, THEY CAME UP WITH ALL OF THESE PLANS.

SO WHAT WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FOR YOU'VE GOT THESE PLANS.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO IMPLEMENT THEM?

THAT WAS PART OF THE DISPUTE AT THE END OF CONFERENCE ON WHICH MEASURE WAS GOING TO FUND THE BUDGET FOR THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY.

EVENTUALLY, I THINK THEIR BUDGET WAS PLACED INTO ONE OF THE BUDGET BILLS.

AND WE'LL SEE GOING FORWARD WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S GOING TO BE FOLLOW‑UP.

I THINK THE MEMBERS THAT WERE ADDED TO THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY THIS YEAR WENT THROUGH A LOT OF GROWING FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOURISM COMMITTEE ON THE SUMMIT DURING CONFIRMATION TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR THOUGHTS WERE IN MIND WHAT LEGISLATURE LIKE TO BE DONE.

WHAT WE LIKE TO BE DONE, ABOUT TOURISM.

I MEAN, WE UNDERSTAND IMPORTANCE OF IT.

WE ALSO THINK THAT'S WE COULD HAVE, SHOULD HAVE LITTLE BIT SMARTER TOURISM.

I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS THAT BLESSING AND A CURSE TO HAVE ALL THESE PEOPLE COMING.

BECAUSE I THINK SOME PEOPLE ACTUALLY THOUGHT WE HAD A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO PREPARE AND TO ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE BILLS, MANAGEMENT PLANS THAT COMMUNITY HAVE HELPED PUT TOGETHER.

>>Daryl: DO YOU THINK, THIS IS KIND OF ALWAYS BEEN MY OPINION, TALK ABOUT MANAGING TOURISM.

BUT IN THE END, TOURISM GENERATES SO MUCH MONEY, THAT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO REALLY DO BEFORE IT.

DID YOU SEE ANYTHING OUT OF THIS LEGISLATURE THAT ACTUALLY IS GOING TO CHANGE THE VOLUME OF TOURISTS COMING IN?

CAN'T REALLY POINT TO ANYTHING.

THERE WAS A BILL MOVING TO KIND OF REORGANIZE THE HTA.

AND REFOCUS THEIR GOALS ON EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE TALLKING ABOUT.

TOURISM MANAGEMENT.

THAT BILL DIDN'T MAKE IT.

FUNDING DID.

COUPLE PROPOSALS TO NOT NECESSARILY LIKE CAP THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS THAT ARE VISITING BUT CHARGE ADDITIONAL FEES FOR ACCESSING CERTAIN ACTIVITIES IN THE ISLANDS, OR SOME SORT OF VISITOR FEE.

I CAN'T RECALL IF THAT PASSED SESSION BEE.

>>Daryl: $25 TO GET INTO HANAUMA BAY.

BILL THAT SAYS, LET'S DO THIS WIDESPREAD.

IT DIDN'T PASS.

BUT HANAUMA BAY IS KIND OF LEADING THE WAY.

THAT'S FOR VISITORS $25.

NOT FOR LOCAL PEOPLE.

>> LET ME ONE BILL.

SENATE BILL 3330, IS LOOKING AT PUPUKEA MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICT.

CARRYING CAPACITY PILOT PROGRAM.

INTERSECTION BETWEEN TOURISM MANAGEMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

SO WE ARE, THERE'S THREADS OF THIS MANAGEMENT TOURISM MANAGEMENT THEME.

WE SAW DLNR RIGHT TOWARDS THE END OF SESSION SAYING THEY'RE GOING TO BE CAPPING NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON DIAMOND HEAD.

REALLY INSTITUTING RESERVATIONS SYSTEM PROGRAM THERE.

SOME OF THESE INITIATIVES THAT THE LEGISLATURE ALREADY STARTED TO TALK ABOUT BEGINNING TO BE IMPLEMENTED.

NOW IT'S ABOUT FOLLOW THROUGH AND OVERSIGHT.

NOT JUST HTA'S RESPONSIBILITIES.

IT IS DLNR STEPPING UP.

IT IS PLACES LIKE ON KAUAI, THEY HAVE THE NONPROFITS STEPPING UP TO HELP MANAGE AREAS.

IT'S GOING TO BE A COMMUNITY WIDE EFFORT TO MANAGE TOURISM AS IT COMES BACK.

>> SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT BELLA JUST MENTIONED ACTUALLY DID START ON THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS.

HAENA, DID START TO HAVE RESERVATIONS AND PARKING SYSTEM AND LIMITATIONS.

DID THE SAME THING WAINAPAPA ON MAUI.

DIAMOND HEAD IS JUST THE NEXT STEP.

WHAT DLNR IS DOING.

DLNR ACTUALLY ESTIMATES THAT THIS RESERVATIONS SYSTEM IS GOING TO GENERATE QUITE A LARGE AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT THEY CAN PUT BACK INTO THE STATE PARKS AND RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED.

SO AGAIN, IT'S A SMALL PART OF THE TOURISM MANAGEMENT PLAN, BUT IT'S THERE AND AT LEAST DLNR IS TAKE SOME STEPS TO IMPLEMENT IT.

>>Daryl: REPRESENTATIVE BELATTI, YOU MENTIONED BROADBAND BILL.

I HAVE A SPECIFIC QUESTION.

MARK FROM PUNA, OF INTEREST IN MANY OF THE RURAL AREAS, WILL THE BROADBAND BILL HELP THOSE OF US WHO LIVE IN AREAS THAT CABLE COMPANIES DON'T SERVE?

HOW WILL THAT CHANGE ANYTHING?

WILL IT BE AFFORDABLE?

SAME TIME, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TRYING TO REDUCE COST OF BROADBAND.

WHAT IS OUR BROADBAND DO?

DOES IT DELIVER SERVICE OUT WHERE IT'S NOT AVAILABLE NOW?

>> THOSE ARE PRECISELY THOSE KIND OF COMMUNITIES THAT WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT.

THAT IS WHY I THINK WE NEED TO CAREFULLY PUT TOGETHER THE AUTHORITY OR WHATEVER AGENCIES IS GOING TO HELP TO MAKE SURE THAT WE IMPLEMENT, BUILD AND USE THESE FEDERAL FUNDS IF OTHER FUNDS WISELY.

IT'S ABOUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO MANAGE ASSETS.

WHO OWNS ASSETS.

IF THEY'RE BOUGHT AND PAID FOR AND BUILD WITH FEDERAL MONIES.

HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT THE COMMUNITIES THAT NEED THE SERVICE ARE GETTING THE SERVICE.

WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY COMMUNITIES ON THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS, WE ALSO KNOW THERE ARE POCKETS IN EVEN ON OAHU.

BECAME VERY, VERY CLEAR DURING THE PANDEMIC.

HOW WE GET THE MIDDLE MILE, THE TRANS‑PACIFIC MILE AND THAT LAST MILE IS GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF WORK, HENCE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE, GOING TO BE A PROJECT WHERE WE HAVE BUILD OUT BROADBAND.

NOT SOMETHING HAD A HAPPENS IN ONE YEAR OR TWO YEARS.

FIVE YEAR PROJECT.

WE NEED TO DO IT.

BECAUSE THIS IS KIND OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT ONLY GOVERNMENT WILL DO.

>>Daryl: I PROMISE YOU GUYS, IT WASN'T GOING TO DO THIS.

I'M GOING TO GO BACK ON MY WORD.

ONLY HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE.

EACH OF YOU 15 SECONDS.

GIVE LEGISLATURE A GRADE.

>> B MINUS.

>> GILBERT?

FROM MAUI.

>> I THINK QUOTE SENATE PRESIDENT.

>> EVERYTHING THEY TALKED ABOUT AT THE BEGINNING, WAS DONE.

SO I'LL GIVE US AN A.

>>Daryl: HAWAIIAN ISSUES, A.

B ON OHA.

C, ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION.

>>Daryl: WHAT DOES THAT COME OUT?

>> A B.

>> KIND OF MEDIOCRE B. YEAH.

ALWAYS DO BETTER.

>>Daryl: SOUNDS LIKE MY GRADE POINT AVERAGE.

>> MAVERICK, USE THE SYSTEM PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM USED.

WE EXCEEDS MEETS, EXPECTATIONS.

WE EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS STATED IN FINAL REMARKS MAJORITY LEADER, DEMOCRACY WORK IN PROGRESS.

EVERY ONE OF THESE BILLS MAKE SURE GOVERNMENT IS DELIVERING ON THIS.

WHAT GREAT ABOUT GOVERNMENT.

WE CAN INVEST MONEY AND COME BACK AND MAKE SURE WE DELIVER THEM.

>>Daryl: WE NOW HAVE A MASSIVE ELECTION COMING UP WITH VIRTUALLY EVERYONE UP FOR RE‑ELECTION.

PUBLIC CAN DELIVER THEIR OWN GRADES.

MAHALO TO YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT – AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS – REPRESENTATIVE DELLA AU BELATTI, HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER, REPRESENTATIVE GENE WARD, MINORITY POLICY LEADER, BLAZE LOVELL FROM HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT, AND JOINING US VIA ZOOM FROM MAUI, SENATOR GILBERT KEITH‑AGARAN.

JOIN US NEXT WEEK FOR A SPECIAL 90 MINUTE EDITION OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII WHERE WE WILL TALK WITH THE FINALISTS FOR THE JOB OF HONOLULU POLICE CHIEF.

PLEASE JOIN IN THE DISCUSSION AS WE ASK THE POLICE CHIEF CANDIDATES YOUR QUESTIONS.

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