A NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL SOON BEGIN AT THE STATE  CAPITOL.

FROM HOUSING, TO EDUCATION, TO  PUBLIC SAFETY, WHAT NEW IDEAS LAWMAKERS ARE PUTTING ON THE  TABLE TO TRY TO IMPROVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND HOW ARE  LEGISLATORS PREPARED FOR POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO FEDERAL  SUPPORT THE STATE DEPENDS ON WITH A NEW ADMINISTRATION IN  WASHINGTON?

TONIGHT’S LIVE BROADCAST AND  JOIN US 2025 LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW.

LIVE BROADCAST AN LIVESTREAM OF INSIGHTS   ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

¶¶  ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

I’M DARYL HUFF.

PAVING A PATH FORWARD FOR  HAWAII IN BOTH THE SHORT AND LONG‑TERM, THAT’S THE JOB  LAWMAKERS ARE TASKED WITH AS THEY CONVENE FOR THE 2025  LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

TONIGHT, WE ARE PREVIEWING  WHAT’S TO COME AS WE’RE JOINED BY STATE LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH  THE DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN PARTIES.

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

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

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS TODD IS  THE HOUSE MAJORITY CAUCUS LEADER.

HIS DISTRICT COVERS PARTS OF HILO, KEAUKAHA, KURTISTOWN AND  KEAAU ON THE BIG ISLAND.

PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE, HE  WORKED FOR HAWAII PAPER PRODUCTS AND SUISAN FISH  MARKET.

REPRESENTATIVE LAUREN  MATSUMOTO IS HOUSE MINORITY LEADER.

HER DISTRICT COVERS PARTS OF MILILANI AND WAIPIO ON OAHU.

REPRESENTATIVE MATSUMOTO ALSO HOSTS A LOCAL RADIO SHOW  CALLED “CAPITOL CONVOS” FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY ISSUES.

SENATOR SAMANTHA DECORTE IS THE SENATE MINORITY FLOOR  LEADER AND REPRESENTS WEST OAHU FROM KO OLINA TO MAKUA.

THIS IS HER FIRST TERM IN OFFICE, BUT PREVIOUSLY SERVED  AS SENATE MINORITY LEADER BRENTON AWA’S CHIEF OF STAFF.

SENATOR JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE REPRESENTS KANEOHE AND KAILUA  ON OAHU AND SERVES AS THE SENATE’S ASSISTANT MAJORITY  WHIP.

HE IS ALSO THE CHAIR OF THE  SENATE’S COMMERCE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMITTEE.

BECAUSE I SAID YOUR NAME RIGHT  I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU.

WHERE DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST MOST  CHALLENGING ISSUE LEGISLATURE IS GOING   TO FACE THIS YEAR?

>> I'M THE COMMERCE   CHAIR.

WE'RE TASKED WITH INSURANCE.

SO THAT'S A BIG ISSUE FOR A LOT OF HOMEOWNERS.

ESPECIALLY MANY, MANY OWNERS OF THE  CONDOMINIUMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF HAWAII.

THE PRICES HAVE BEEN SPIKING BECAUSE OF THE RISK  OF CATASTROPHIC DISASTER LIKE THE ONE WE'RE SEEING   UNFOLD RIGHT NOW IN LOS ANGELES, DIFFICULT  FOR MANY HOMEOWNERS CONDO OWNERS TOWNHOUSE   OWNERS TO FIND INSURANCE AT RATE THAT IS THEY ARE  ACCUSTOMED TO AND FOR SOME FOLKS, IT'S HARD TO   FIND INSURANCE AT APARTMENT STABILIZING MARKET AND  PROVIDING SOME RELIEF IS MAJOR PRIORITY THIS YEAR.

>>Daryl: SAMANTHA DECORTE,  WELCOME TO THE LEGISLATURE.

AND WITH WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT INSURANCE BIG  ISSUE, HAVEN'T BEEN BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

WORKING FOR A'AWA.

HOW WHAT PROCESS DO YOU   LEARN HOW TO TAKE ON AN ISSUE LIKE THAT?

>> DRINKING WATER THROUGH A FIRE HOSE.

IN ADDITION TO RISING CONDO INSURANCE  PRICES COST OF LIVING IS WHAT IS BEEN   VERY DIFFICULT FOR MY COMMUNITY.

WE DO HAVE THE LARGEST NATIVE   HAWAIIAN HOMESTEAD POPULATION IN THE STATE.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT I CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE   GETTING WAIT LISTERS OFF THE WAIT LIST AND  INTO THEIR HOMES YOU COVERED MANY STORIES   WHEN IT COMES TO CRIME OUT ON WEST SIDE.

>> THAT IN ADDITION TO REDUCING THE CRIME   AND JUST GETTING MORE ENFORCEMENTS OUT THERE.

EXCITED TO WORK WITH DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT   TO JUST PROVIDE MORE PRESENCE OUT THERE.

I'LL SAY THAT TO START.

>>Daryl: CHRIS TODD FROM BIG ISLAND.

WHERE WHAT ARE YOU HEARING WHAT DO YOUR   CONSTITUENTS WANT TO SEE THIS YEAR.

>> OF THE SAME ACROSS OUR STATE.

ASK FOLKS IN PRETTY MUCH EVERY DISTRICT  COST OF LIVING, OR HOUSING RELATED,   AND THEN YOU MAY HAVE ISSUES DISTRICT SPECIFIC.

MY AREA, MASSIVE TRAFFIC PROBLEM AS AN EXAMPLE.

BECAUSE YOU REALLY HAVE ONE WAY IN AN OUT OF PUNA.

AND A LOT OF FOLKS LIVE IF PUNA BUT WORK OR DROP   KIDS OFF IN THE MORNING IN HILO.

STATEWIDE LEVEL, COST OF LIVING.

AND THERE'S A NUMBER OF WAYS WE CAN ADDRESS IT.

PIECEMEAL.

AND PART OF BROADER STRATEGY BEYOND THAT.

>> BUT INSURANCE IS EMERGING PROBLEM.

VERY CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER OF MINE HAD TO  DROP THEIR HURRICANE INSURANCE BECAUSE JUST   BECAME UNATTAINABLY EXPENSIVE.

>>Daryl: CAN THEY DO THAT.

>> IF YOU DON'T HAVE A MORTGAGE.

IT'S ONE THOSE THINGS.

EVEN IF YOU'RE A FORTUNATE SITUATION LIKE  THAT, IF YOU'RE ON A FIXED ON A FIXED INCOME   BECOMES PROBLEMATIC.

THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>>Daryl: DO YOU THINK THERE'S A SLEEPER  ISSUE OUT THERE WE HAVEN'T MENTIONED?

WE'LL GO THROUGH ALL THE THINGS  AS WE GO THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

WHAT SHOULD WE TALK ABOUT THAT  WE HAVEN'T BEEN TALKING ABOUT?

>> START WITH HOUSING CAUCUS, ONE OF THE  WAYS WE PUT TOGETHER OUR BILL PACKAGE SENT   OUT SURVEYS TO DISTRICTS LISTING OUR TOP  ISSUES CAME BACK, COST OF LIVING HOUSING,   CRIME, NATIVE HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS SOMETHING WE  HAVEN'T BROUGHT UP GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY SEE.

TOP FIVE.

HOW DO WE FEEL ABOUT   OUR INTERACTION WITH THE GOVERNMENT, WHAT IS THE  TRANSPARENCY REALLY THERE AND THAT'S SOMETHING   THAT IS COME UP MAYBE MIGHT BE SLEEPER ISSUE.

>> MAYBE NOT SO SLEEPER WITH ALL THE ARTICLE   THAT IS HAVE BEEN THE RECENT NEWS.

ABOUT SOMETHING THAT BEEN BROUGHT UP.

>>Daryl: LEGISLATURE, I DON'T KNOW IF I'LL  CALL BRIGHT SHINY OBJECT, CRISIS POPS.

BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE, TERRIBLE ACCIDENT  IN ALIAMANU ABOUT THE FIREWORKS GOING OFF.

SO WHAT DO YOU FOLKS SENATOR  KEOHOKALOLE, IS THERE A LEGISLATIVE   FIX FOR THIS OR WHAT IS THE THING GOING ON?

>> I THINK THERE ARE CLEAR PATHWAYS WE NEED   TO TAKE ACTION ON CONTINUING TO RESOURCE  AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE EXISTING TASK   FORCES THAT ARE OUT MAKING THE CASES AND  SEIZING THE ILLEGAL SHIPMENTS OF FIREWORKS.

I THINK OUTSTANDING QUESTION THAT WE'RE GOING  TO TAKE SOME TIME ON WE HAVE THE SEIZURES,   THEY'RE GRABBING LARGE STOCKPILES OF FIREWORKS  BUT NOT MAKING ANY CASES IF YOU'RE NOT HAVING   ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS YOU CAN'T EXPECT  ENTIRE POPULATION TO RESPECT THE LAWS.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT  THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL TO HAVE NEIGHBORS   TESTIFY IN COURT AGAINST NEIGHBORS  FOR ILLEGALLY USING FIREWORKS.

SO WHEN WE GET TO THOSE LARGER LEVELS OF SHIPMENT  CONTAINER, SHIPMENTS SIZE SEIZURES, WHY ARE PEOPLE   NOT BEING TRIED AND GOING TO JAIL SO THAT  WE CAN START TO PLAN SOME DETERENCE ON THIS.

WHERE WE SHOULD START.

>>Daryl: CHRIS TODD FROM THE   BIG ISLAND, IS FIREWORKS A BIG ISSUE OVER THERE?

ON OAHU BIG ISSUE BECAUSE WE HAD THIS ACCIDENT.

>> SURE.

I THINK IF YOU   ASK 51 IN THE HOUSE OR 25 SENATORS BUNCH OF  DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON HOW IT PROCESS THIS.

MY EXPERIENCE GROWING UP IN HILO IS MAYBE ONE  OR TWO NEIGHBORS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WOULD   SET OFF AERIALS GROWING UP.

OVER THE LAST I DON'T KNOW,   TEN YEARS OR SO, IT'S EVERYWHERE.

>> FIREWORKS REGULAR OLD CONSUMER FIREWORKS   ARE STILL LEGAL ON THE BIG ISLAND.

IT'S A PERMIT FOR FIRECRACKERS.

ALWAYS HAD THE AERIAL RESTRICTION.

BUT THAT WASN'T REALLY A PROBLEM UNTIL RECENTLY.

AND IT'S DEFINITELY DANGER AND WE WANT TO MAKE  SURE WE GET AHEAD OF IT AS BEST AS POSSIBLE BEFORE   OUR COMMUNITY SUBJECT TO THAT NEXT TRAGEDY.

>>Daryl: WE GOT THE NEW AWARENESS   ABOUT WILDFIRES TOO.

ESPECIALLY WHAT'S GOING ON NOW.

I KNOW SENATOR DECORT, I KNOW ON THE WAIANAE SIDE,  THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN THAT THEY HAD THE RIGHT   GEOGRAPHY, RIGHT OVERGROWTH, RIGHT PLACEMENT  OF TOWNS ON YOUR SIDE, TOP OF MIND FOR PEOPLE?

STILL SOMETHING THAT SORT OF LIKE, WON'T  WORRY ABOUT IT TILL IT HAPPENS TO THEM?

>> I THINK THAT WE NEED TO JUST BE  MINDFUL HOW WE APPROACH THE SITUATION.

I MEAN, KNOW IDEAS PITCHING ABOUT MAYBE MAKING  STRONGER PENALTIES, MAYBE EVEN SOME JAIL TIME.

THAT'S NOT REALLY GETTING  TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.

SO SENATOR KEOHOKALOLE MENTIONED, NO  CRIMINAL CHARGES HAVE BEEN PRESSED AND   SO REALLY NEED TO DO A DEEPER DIVE INTO GETTING  TO REALLY HOW THINGS ARE COMING INTO THE PORT.

SO ON AN SO FORTH.

TO BE HONEST,   ISN'T REALLY A HEAVY CONCERN IN MY DISTRICT.

WE'RE DEALING WITH A LOT MORE THAN FIREWORKS.

HASN'T BEEN TOO BEING OF A PROBLEM IN COMMUNITY.

>> TRADITIONAL, CULTURAL.

AND SO I THINK TO HELP OUR COMMUNITIES,  TO JUST TAKE SAFER ROUTES, IS GOOD.

>>Daryl: DO YOU THINK THAT THE FOLKS MANY WOULD  ACTUALLY RESIST STRICT FIREWORKS REGULATIONS.

>> >> WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

WOULD THEY FIGHT?

IF SOMEONE SAID.

>> I THINK THAT'S OBVIOUS.

YOU SEE IT EVERY NEW YEAR'S EVE.

RESISTING.

>>Daryl: RESISTING BY NOT DOING ANYTHING.

>> RIGHT.

>>Daryl: YOU WANT TO PITCH IN ON ANY OF THIS?

>> ONLY THING I'LL SAY.

I'VE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE 12 TERMS.

NOT 12 TERMS.

LONGER THAN I'VE BEEN ALIVE.

YOUNGER THAN 24.

FIREWORK BILL OR MULTIPLE  FIREWORK BILLS EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

PASSED SO MANY OF THEM AND THE  PROBLEM IS ONLY INCREASING.

I THINK THE ONE THING I'LL SAY TO THAT IS  FOR ANYBODY WATCHING PITCH OUT TO ANYBODY   ELSE WE'VE SEEN THE TRAGEDIES THAT HAVE HAPPENED.

I HAVE MANY FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ARE FIREFIGHTERS   OR FIRST RESPONDERS AND THEY WE GET TO SEE THE  STORIES DAY IN AND DAY OUT OF WHAT HAPPENS.

BUT IF ANYBODY HAS SOME OF THOSE CREATIVE  SOLUTIONS, TO REALLY CONTACT THEIR LEGISLATORS   BECAUSE AGAIN I'VE SEEN THINGS COME THROUGH.

IF THE SAME BILLS WE PUT IN EVERY YEAR,   I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW MANY TASK  FORCE WE'VE HAD ON FIREWORKS.

>> THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING  MORE AND SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ACTUALLY  ADDRESSING THE ISSUE ARE.

>>Daryl: HANDFUL OF MY FAVORITE ORANGE  CARDS WITH QUESTIONS FROM OUR VIEWERS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND TO HONOR THEM,   LET'S QUESTIONS DRIVE THE SHOW AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

I'LL ASK QUESTIONS.

ANYBODY WANTS TO HOP IN, DO SO.

THIS IS A BIG ISSUE.

I KNOW SENATOR KEOHOKALOLE BEEN INVOLVED.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE OR EXPEDITE   LAHAINA RECOVERY?

BIG QUESTION.

DO YOU WANT TO START?

BIG THING NOW?

ONE THING I LET ME ASK THIS QUESTION.

SORRY TO HIJACK TO.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE SEEING FROM LOS ANGELES  NOW ARE THOSE DRONE SHOTS OF THE SHORELINE.

ONE OF THE THING THAT THEY HAVEN'T  BEEN ABLE TO DO WHAT HAPPENS TO THE   SHORELINE PROPERTIES IN LAHAINA.

MAKING DECISIONS HOW TO MAKE FORWARD   HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT.

SOMETHING THAT'S   LEGISLATURE COULD BE INVOLVED WITH?

>> IT'S A BIT OF A DOUBLE‑EDGED SWORD.

LAST YEAR, ONE OF THE INITIAL PROPOSALS THAT  CAME OUT AT THE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL WAS CREATING   A DISTRICT WHERE WE WOULD DELEGATE OUR  STATE LEVEL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES TO   THE PEOPLE IN LAHAINA SO THERE WEREN'T  THESE MULTIPLE LEVELS OF REGULATIONS THAT   PEOPLE NEEDED TO TWO THROUGH TO REBUILD.

IT GOT VERY COMPLICATED VERY QUICKLY AND   I THINK A LOT OF THE TENTATIVE COME FROM THE  COMMUNITY ON MAUI WANT TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE   AND GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF REBUILDING  IN THEIR OWN WAY ON THEIR OWN SCHEDULE.

WE CHECKED IN TODAY.

OVER 500 BUILDING   PERMITS HAVE BEEN APPROVED ON MAUI.

THEY EXPEDITE THE BUILDING PERMIT   PROCESS FOR PROPERTIES THAT HAVE BEEN  DESTROYED IF THEY ARE, IF THEY INTEND   TO REBUILD BACK IN THE SAME FOOTPRINT.

AND NOT PLUS UP OR CONVERT PROPERTY INTO   SOMETHING MORE EXTRAVAGANT.

SO THE REBUILD IS UNDERWAY.

SENATOR SCHATZ JUST WROTE I THINK TODAY OR  YESTERDAY ABOUT WE'VE HAD SUBSTANTIAL FEDERAL   SUPPORT, $2 BILLION, AND SO PART OF WHAT  WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO FOCUS ON THIS YEAR   WITH THE BUDGET REQUESTS AND WITH COORDINATION  WITH MAUI COUNTY IS WHAT EXACTLY CAN WE DO AT   THE STATE LEVEL TO NOT EXACTLY GET IN THE WAY  BUT HELP FACILITATE AND ACCELERATE THE REBUILD.

SHORELINE ISSUES, COMMUNITY ISSUES THEY  NEED TO WORK OUT RATHER THAN US I THINK   COMING IN OVER THE TOP FROM HONOLULU.

>>Daryl: ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO WEIGH   IN ON WHAT LAHAINA NEEDS IS THE QUESTION?

>> AS MANY OF US DID AFTER THE LAHAINA WILDFIRE,   I WENT TO VISIT TALKING WITH MANY OF THE  SURVIVORS, BIGGEST THING I HEARD BACK,   WASN'T ENOUGH COMMUNICATION DURING  AND WASN'T ENOUGH COMMUNICATION AFTER.

TALKING TO THE SURVIVORS THIS FAR  OUT I THINK THAT'S STILL AN ISSUE   WHEN IT COMES TO THE REBUILD.

>> NOT ENOUGH COMMUNICATION.

LEGISLATURE HASN'T BEEN BRIEFED  AS A WHOLE SINCE IT HAS HAPPENED.

SO I THINK INCREASING THAT COMMUNICATION IS  SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO GO A LONG WAY TO   THE RECOVERY MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY  KNOWS WHAT HAS HAPPENED.

SENATOR SAID A   LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE.

BUT BECAUSE THEY'RE COMPLICATED,   THAT HAS TO BE COMMUNICATED OUT WITH THE  LEGISLATURE TO SAY THE THINGS WE CAN DO.

I KNOW WE CAN DO SO MUCH MORE.

WE PASSED THINGS LIKE STATE FIRE   MARSHAL OFFICE HASN'T BEEN FILLED.

SO MANY THINGS WE CAN DO,   WE NEED TO DO THOSE THINGS.

NOT COMMUNICATED WITH FROM THE   COMMUNITY, AND ALSO FROM THE GOVERNOR'S  OFFICE AND THE LEGISLATURE AS A WHOLE,   IT'S GOING TO TAKE MUCH MUCH LONGER NOTTEN  DONE TO THE BEST THAT WE CAN POSSIBLY DO.

>>Daryl: YOU GET A LOT OF  MISINFORMATION IN THOSE SITUATIONS.

>> ALSO REALLY WANT TO MENTION WATER ISSUE, WHICH  IS WHAT HAPPENED IN CALIFORNIA, FOUND THEMSELVES   THERE WAS NO WATER IN THE FIRE HYDRANTS.

SO AGAIN, JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE   TAKING THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AND TAKING PREVENTATIVE  MEASURES TO MAKE SURE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> WEST SIDE.

>> WAIANAE IS THE DRYEST PART OF THE ISLAND.

THE STATE.

SO WE HAVE   A LOT OF ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO DEAL WITH.

WE ARE LITERALLY ONE WAY IN AND ONE WAY OUT.

SO WE'RE TAKE ALL OF THESE, LEARNING  FROM IT, TAKING PREVENTATIVE MEASURES.

BUT REALLY, WHAT THE WATER ISSUE, WHICH IS  WHY YOU KNOW MY ASK WAS TO BE ON THE WATER   AND LAND COMMITTEE.

IS BECAUSE OF THAT.

WAIANAE HAS BEEN VERY DRY.

A LOT OF DROUGHT NEED TO   MAKE SURE GET PROPER ACCESS TO THE WATER.

>>Daryl: WHAT THE ROAD BLOCK YOUR WATER SUPPLY.

>> I THINK YOU KNOW, ORIGINALLY, WE HAD AHUPUAA  SYSTEMS WHEN IT COMES TO THE WATERSHED, WHEN I   THINK THIS COMES TO, I MEAN, ALWAYS THAT BATTLE.

OPEN STREAM, DEPARTMENT WANTS TO STEP IN   AND MAKE SURE THAT  WATER GETS DIRECTED.

>> ABLE TO GO BACK TO OUR OLD SYSTEM WHERE   THE WATER NEEDS TO GO AND FLOW DOWN TO THE OCEAN.

>>Daryl: RESTORATION AT LEAST, REHABILITATION OF   THE NATURAL STREAM.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WOULD CHANGE WAIALAE.

>> KAHANA FARMS,   WAIANAE VALLEY ROAD IS DOING JUST THAT.

SO AGAIN, WE HAVE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY   THAT KNOW THE SOLUTIONS AND WE JUST NEED TO GET  BEHIND THEM INSTEAD OF TELLING THEM WHAT WE THINK   THEY SHOULD DO IN THEIR HOMETOWN.

THEY KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTIONS ARE.

WE SHOULD GET BEHIND THEM INSTEAD OF THEM.

>>Daryl: ANOTHER QUESTION CAME IN JUST   NOW THAT I THINK FROM DILLON IN KAILUA YOU  MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN, REPRESENTATIVE TODD.

WE'VE ALL SEEN HORRIFIC IMAGES OUT OF  SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

HAS HAWAII DONE NEARLY ENOUGH TO  AVOID ANOTHER NIGHTMARE LIKE LAHAINA?

MATTER OF TIME.

BIG ISLAND, SIMILAR COMMUNITIES   HAVE THAT KIND OF RISK.

>> I'M NOT SURE.

>> MY BROTHER IS FIRE CHIEF FOR HAWAII ISLAND.

HEAD OF THE STATE FIRE COUNCIL, HE'S IN THE WAKE   OF THIS TRAGEDY, KIND OF BECOME THE POINT  PERSON AT THE LEGISLATURE TO ADVOCATE FOR   REFORM AND CHANGES INCLUDING ESTABLISHING FIRE  MARSHAL OFFICERS THIS YEAR, FLESHING THAT OUT,   MAKING SURE THAT'S A WHOLE AND MEANINGFUL GESTURE.

IT'S A BIT OF SENSITIVE SUBJECT OF THE BECAUSE   YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY JUST TRYING  THEIR BEST TO SET US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I THINK THE HONEST ANSWER IS NO.

IT'S NOT THE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE   IS A PANACEA AND JUST SOLUTION TO ALL OF OUR  PROBLEMS NECESSARY STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY WE  DIDN'T HAVE ONE EARLIER.

BUT WITH THESE EMERGING THREATS AND FUTURE  OF KIND OF MORE DISASTROUS OUTCOMES.

>> WITHOUT STATES WILLING  AND ABLE TO RESPOND NEARBY.

>> FULL COORDINATION BETWEEN FOUR COUNTIES AND  STATE GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY ASSETS HERE TO   PLAN AND RESPOND TO FUTURE THREATS.

WITHOUT THAT FIRE MARSHAL IN PLACE,   IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO HAVE THAT  LEVEL OF COORDINATION AND PREPAREDNESS.

>>Daryl: KIND OF MINDBLOWING WHAT HAPPENED IN  LOS ANGELES GIVEN THAT SANTA ANA WINDS LIKE   THE WIND OF LAHAINA TEND TO BE PREDICTABLE.

AND BUT THEY WERE WORSE THAN ANYONE THOUGHT.

AND WE MAY BE HEADING INTO THIS CLIMATE  CHANGE LEVEL OF WINDS JUST MAKING FIRES   COMPLETELY UNSTOPPABLE.

CONTINUE WITH THAT.

>> YOU FOLKS GO AHEAD.

>> I WANT TO ADD ON TO WHAT REP   TODD WAS SAYING I DON'T THINK WE HAVE DONE ENOUGH.

I DID WANT TO GIVE OUT SHOUT, A LOT OF MOVEMENT.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US SAID DISTRICTS  ROADS ONE WAY IN AND ONE WAY OUT.

MY DISTRICT IS IN DIFFERENT MILILANI MAUKA.

STEPS EMERGENCY ACCESS ROAD OUT OF MILILANI MAUKA.

FIRE BREAKS EMERGENCY ACCESS ROADS  CAN ALSO BE USED FIRE BREAKS.

I THINK NEED TO DO MORE AS A LEGISLATURE.

BUT I DO WANT TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.

STARTED TO MAKE SOME OF THOSE THINGS HAPPEN.

>>Daryl: SENATOR KEOHOKALOLE WANTS TO PITCH IN.

JUST TO KEEP RE‑EMPHASIZING THIS POINT.

ERIC IN KAILUA A LOT OF NEEDS NO DOUBT.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS SEEMS TO GET SHORT  SHIFT WHAT HAPPENED IN LAHAINA AND MAUI.

WATCHING LOS ANGELES BURN.

>> ARE WE READY FOR THE NEXT   DISASTER AND WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT?

DO YOU THINK THE LOS ANGELES DISASTER IS  GOING TO DO MORE FOR INCENTIVES TO DO MORE?

>> YES.

>> IT'S NOT EVEN   OVER YET AND TOP OF EVERYONE'S MIND RIGHT NOW  BECAUSE WE'RE WATCHING IT HAPPEN IN REAL TIME.

I THINK A LOT OF FEELINGS THAT I REMEMBER  FROM THE LAHAINA FIRE COMING BACK WHEN YOU   SEE THE SIDE BY SIDE PICTURES OFEL PACIFIC COAST  HIGHWAY DRIVE THROUGH MALIBU OR THE DRONE SHOTS.

SO I THINK THAT BIG PARTS OF THIS NEEDS  TO BE DIALOGUE WE HAVE WITH THE COMMUNITY.

EDUCATION, IS GOING TO BE CRITICAL.

BECAUSE DEPENDS ON YOUR DISASTERS THAT   MAKE DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS OR COMMUNITIES MOST  VULNERABLE ARE DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHAT PART OF   THE STATE AND WHAT ISLAND YOU'RE ON WINDWARD SIDE  OF OAHU WHERE I AM, WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY AREAS   THAT ARE DIRECT FIRE RISKS AS ON THE WEST SIDE  OF ALL THE OTHER ISLANDS, BUT WHAT WE DO HAVE IS   LOW‑LYING AREAS THAT ARE TSUNAMI ZONES.

FLOOD RISKS.

LOTS OF OTHER POTENTIAL HAZARDS  THAT WE NEED TO MATCH HOUR.

>>Daryl: EVEN EROSION.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

COASTAL HIGHWAYS THAT ARE IMPACTED  BY STORMS OR EVEN KING TIDES.

SO THERE IS A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH WE  HAVE TO TAKE AND WE HAVE TO DO IT IN A   DILIGENT AND INTENTIONAL WAY.

>> SO WE DON'T GET OURSELVES   OVERWHELMED AND TWISTED UP ON THE DETAILS.

>> THE CLIMATE ACTION TEAM THAT THE GOVERNOR   PUT TOGETHER IS ONE PATHWAY FOR  I THINK REASONABLE SOLUTIONS.

NUMBER ONE, I MAJOR ASK THAT THEY REPORTED IN THE  RELEASE OF REPORT TODAY, IS CLEARING INVASIVES.

THAT ARE WILDFIRE FUEL RISKS.

THAT'S GOING TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE   CHALLENGES AND RISKS ON THE WINDWARD SIDE.

AND ON THE WEST SIDE.

SO IF WE PUT TIME AND ATTENTION AND INTENTION  INTO IT, AS A COMMUNITY, AND AS A LEGISLATURE,   WE CAN FIGURE OUT REASONABLE WAYS TO TAKE  CHUNKS OUT OF THE RISK AND MOVE FORWARD ON IT.

>>Daryl: THAT REPORT ALSO SET A  $2 BILLION PRICE TAG FOR ALL OF THIS.

OVER TEN YEARS.

LET ME ASK REPUBLICANS.

KIND OF GOVERNOR GREEN WANTS TO CLIMATE FEE.

INCREASE HOTEL ROOM TAX.

ARE YOU FOLKS READY TO SUPPORT THE  COST OF THESE MITIGATION TACTICS?

>> I DO BELIEVE THAT OUR MONEY  CAN BE SPENT IN OTHER PLACES.

AS SENATOR KEOHOKALOLE HAD  SAID, INVASIVES IS A PROBLEM.

INVASIVES, CRB ISSUE STATE HAS NOT TACKLED.

>>Daryl: COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE.

>>Daryl: HEMP STUFF.

>> YES.

THAT IS STILL AN ISSUE.

SO BEFORE WE START TACKLING ALL OTHER ISSUES,  WE HAVE TO KIND OF BE AT LEAST MASTER ON ONE.

AND RIGHT NOW, INVASIVES, NOT TO MENTION  LITTLE FIRE ANTS, I MEAN, THE LESS NATIVE   TREES WE HAVE, THE DRYER THE CONDITIONS GET.

SO THE NATIVE TREES ACTUALLY BRING THE RAIN.

SO OUT ON THE WEST SIDE, WE'RE ACTUALLY  INITIATIVE IS TO PLANT PLANT MORE NATIVE   TREES TO BRING MORE OF THE RAIN.

>> FIGHTING AGAINST INVASIVES,   NOW ABLE TO PASS A RESOLUTION NATIVE  PLANTS PUT IN WHERE THERE ARE INVASIVES.

SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

A LETTER WAS WRITTEN TO ME BY A FIFTH   GRADER AT MILILANI MAUKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

HER IDEA WHAT SHE WANTED TO PASS.

>> RESOLUTION ABLE TO PASS HOUSE AND SENATE.

TESTIFIED.

>> ENCOURAGABILITY DOESN'T MATTER WHAT  AGE YOU ARE, HAVE IDEA AN PASSIONATE   TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY TO DO IT  IT REALLY CAN PASS AND CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

SO THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS  REALLY NEAT TO HAVE LAST SESSION.

>>Daryl: LET ME THIS QUESTION AGAIN.

ARE YOU READY TO SPEND 250 MILLION,   500 MILLION TO ATTACK THESE ISSUES?

DO YOU THINK THAT'S A REASONABLE PRICE?

>> YES.

ACTUALLY.

I THINK PART OF IT IS GOVERNMENT HAS A HISTORY,  NOT JUST IN HAWAII, NOT JUST AT THE STATE LEVEL,   OF REALLY NOT PROPERLY ANTICIPATING FUTURE COSTS.

AND SAYING OUNCE OF PREVENTION.

VERSUS WORTH OF POUND OF CURE.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

WANT TO INVEST NOW, IT WILL COST MORE LATER.

IF WE SHORT OUR FUTURE,   NOW OUTCOMES WILL BE DISASTROUS.

SO THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS   WHERE MAYBE PRICE TAG IS 250 MILLION NOW.

IT COULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE AND IT HAS   BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY MORE IN PRIOR DISASTERS.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I'LL SAY, I WANTED TO DO   OUR LEGISLATURE FISCAL NOTES, FISCAL TRANSPARENCY.

>> BILL MOVING THROUGH, WE KNOW WHAT THE COST OF   THE MEASURE IS VOTING ON THINGS JUST ON  THE IDEA ALONE, WE DON'T HAVE THE COST.

SO DIFFICULT TO SAY WHETHER I WOULD VOTE  FOR THE 250 MILLION OR NOT VERSUS LOOKING   AT EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING THROUGH THE  LEGISLATURE, WHAT IS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY.

AND IF WE'RE ABLE TO HAVE FISCAL NOTES, 44 OTHER  STATES HAVE SOME SORT OF FISCAL PRICE TAG PUT ON   EACH OF THE, BILLS.

I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING  THAT HAWAII CAN DO AND I'M HOPING WE CAN DO IT   IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>>Daryl:   MOVE ON BECAUSE I'M GETTING LOTS OF QUESTIONS.

>> WANT TO MAKE SURE I DON'T MISS ANY OF THEM.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS ONE STEP IN THE  PROCESS FOR KEEPING RESIDENTS HERE.

OVERALL COST OF LIVING  QUESTION FROM BOB IN KANEOHE.

WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT TAXES, COST  OF LIVING, INFLUENCE OF OUTSIDE   INVESTORS WRECKING THE ECONOMY.

>> SUM THAT UP TO COST OF LIVING.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS LEGISLATURE'S  NUMBER ONE STRATEGY THERE?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS IMMEDIATELY  CAME TO MIND IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT,   TRYING TO FIGURE OUT REASONABLE WAYS TO FINANCE  SOME OF THESE REALLY CRITICAL NEEDS WITHOUT   HAVING TO INCREASE FEES OR TAXES.

SOME OF IT IS GOING TO REQUIRE   US TO DEMAND BETTER EFFICIENCY.

>> NOT JUST OUT OF OUR GOVERNMENT,   BUT LIKE OUR UTILITIES, OTHER CORE  COMPONENTS OF OUR OPERATIONS OF OUR STATE.

SO ONE GOOD EXAMPLE IS AS YOU ARE AWARE,  HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC CAME IN AND ASKED FOR   SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF STATE SUPPORT  LAST YEAR TO MAINTAIN THEIR OPERATIONS.

>> WE HAVE WORKED WITH THEM OVER THE INTERIM,  SUMMER AND FALL ON GIVING BETTER DETAILS OF   EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEED, WHY NEED IT, AND THEY  ACTUALLY TOOK THE INITIATIVE OVER THE SUMMER   AND THE FALL TO JUST START IMPLEMENTING SOME  OF THE REALLY EASY EFFICIENT MEASURES LIKE   DRONES LIKE REPLACING OBVIOUS TELEPHONE  POLES RISK FALL RISKS IN DIFFERENT AREAS.

>> ONE OF THE ONES REALLY THINK IS GOING TO GO A  LONG WAY AND DIDN'T COST THEM A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY   IS PUTTING IN JUST FIRE WATCH CAMERAS.

>> ALL AROUND THE STATE.

ONE IN KANEOHE.

ON TOP OF AIKAHI.

ANOTHER ONE UP IN WAIKELE CAUGHT A FIRE AS IT  WAS EMERGING DOWN BELOW KAPOLEI NEAR THE RAIL.

WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON EXACTLY WHAT  THE STEPS ARE THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN.

THEN HAVE REAL DETAILED CONVERSATIONS ABOUT  HOW MUCH THEY COST AROUND TRY PUSH WAYS TO   BE EFFICIENT ABOUT IT.

CAN'T DEFEND ON OUTSIDE   TO FIX PROBLEMS WE GOT TO DO IT OURSELVES.

>>Daryl: WHAT DO YOU FOLKS THINK IS THIS WHAT   IS THE BEST TACTIC COST OF LIVING?

>> EVEN THOUGH WE PASSED   A MONUMENTAL TAX BILL LAST YEAR FOR INCOME TAX.

>>Daryl: HOW MUCH CAN RESIDENTS BENEFIT FROM THE   NEW TAX BRACKET PASSED LAST SESSION?

>> THANK YOU.

I'LL GO INTO THAT THEN.

>>Daryl: DIDN'T MEAN TO   INTERRUPT YOU TALKING ABOUT TAXES.

>> MONUMENTAL BILL PASSED BUT IT'S STILL   IMPLEMENTED OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT SIX YEARS.

I THINK IT'S TOO LITTLE AND   IT'S GOING TO TAKE TOO LONG.

RIGHT NOW, IT'S ONLY GOING TO BE SAVING PEOPLE   $6.70 PER DAY FOR THE AVERAGE FAMILY OF FOUR.

I THINK WE NEED, STILL ONE OF THE HIGHEST   TAXED RESIDENTS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR TAXES AS A WHOLE.

SO I KNOW IT'S A REALLY COMPLICATED ISSUE.

>> TO GET INTO TAX POLICY, WE REALLY NEED   TALK A HARD LOOK ON OUR TAXES HOW DOING THINGS  AND KNOW BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR EVER,   IS ELIMINATING TAX ON FOOD AND MEDICAL SERVICE.

TALKING ABOUT NECESSITIES THAT PEOPLE NEED   DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

ONE OF THE ONLY STATES   THAT TAX FOOD AND MEDICAL SERVICE.

>> SO I THINK WE ACTUALLY NEED TO   HAVE A HEARING ON THIS BILL.

IT'S NEVER RECEIVED A HEARING.

>> THAT'S MY HOPE FOR THIS YEAR.

>>Daryl: IS THAT GOING TO BE POSITION   IN THE SENATE MINORITY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ONE OF THE WAYS HAWAII HAS CATCH  UP WITH THE REST OF THE NATION.

ONLY STATE STILL TAXES FOOD AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES.

FAMILY NEEDS RELIEF AT THE REGISTER.

DON'T NEED THEM WHEN THEY  FILE TAXES FIVE OR TEN YEARS.

NEED THEM TODAY.

RIGHT NOW.

BECAUSE FAMILIES ARE FACING  WHETHER TO PUT GAS IN THEIR CARS,   BUY FOOD, OR YOU KNOW, JUST BASIC NECESSITIES.

SO WHEN THESE UNEXPECTED BILLS COME UP, LIKE A NEW   TIRE, THAT PUTS A LOT OF STRESS ON OUR FAMILIES.

SO WE JUST HAVE TO DO BETTER AND WE'VE GOT   TO CATCH UP WITH THE REST OF THE NATION.

>>Daryl: REPRESENTATIVE TODD, QUESTION FROM   BEAU IN MANOA ON THIS POINT.

THANKS FOR THE TAX CUT.

WILL WE HAVE THE MONEY IT NEEDS TO ATTACK ALL  THE PROBLEMS THE PANEL IS TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT?

CAN YOU AFFORD ANOTHER LEVEL OF TAX CUTS?

>> SURE.

YOU KNOW CURRENT PROJECTIONS OUT OF THE  ADMINISTRATION, WHICH HAS A VERY LARGE STAFF OF   VERY BRIGHT PEOPLE, ECONOMISTS LOOK AT THIS ISSUE.

EVEN WITH FULLY IMPLEMENTED, NOT SEEING A   REDUCTION IN REVENUE.

THEY'RE RELATIVE STABLE   GOING FORWARD EVEN AT FULL IMPLEMENTATION.

IS THAT APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT?

DO WE WANT SOMETHING THAT IS  ABOUT STATUS QUO WHEN WE'RE FIVE,   SIX YEARS OUT AND THIS HAS BEEN FULLY IMPLEMENTED?

FULL IMPLEMENTATION SAVE AVERAGE FAMILY ABOUT 3 TO   $4,000 IN INCOME TAX EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

IT IS SUBSTANTIAL.

BUT WITH CURRENT PROJECTIONS,  GOVERNMENT IS SECURE AND WILL CONTINUE   TO BE SECURE FINANCIALLY AND FISCALLY.

AND SOMETHING WE'LL HAVE TO CONTINUE   TO MONITOR AS IT TO BECOMES IMPLEMENTED.

BUT FOR THE TIME BEING, THINGS LOOK OKAY.

>>Daryl: SAMANTHA DECORTE.

THAT SAID, WHAT WOULD   YOU LIKE TO SPEND THAT MONEY ON?

>> JUST GIVE IT BACK TO THE PEOPLE WHEN   THEY HAVE THEIR TAX REDUCTIONS OR CAN GET THEIR  INCENTIVES IMMEDIATELY.

WE NEED IT RIGHT NOW.

FAMILIES ARE FACING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK WHETHER  THEY'RE GOING TO BE HOMELESS THE NEXT WEEK,   SO WE'RE FACING REAL ISSUES.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS   REQUIRING A BABY‑STEP APPROACH.

I THINK WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE   AND BE AGGRESSIVE WITH MAKING SURE THAT  TAXPAYORS ARE INCENTIVIZED IMMEDIATELY.

>>Daryl: BE SPECIFIC.

GOVERNOR GREEN IS ONCE   AGAIN GOING TO BE PROPOSING THE, I KEEP  IT CALLING GREEN FEE.

CLIMATE IMPACT FEE.

WHATEVER.

>> IT WAS THE GREEN FEE, RIGHT?

WE CALLED IT GREEN FEE.

YOU KNOW.

HE DOESN'T SAY THE GREEN FEE ANY MORE.

DID SAY IT WAS THE GREEN COST OF LIVING   REDUCTION TAX.

NAMED IT HIMSELF.

MY QUESTION IS, CAN YOU GUYS, DOES EVERYONE  HERE SUPPORT THE IDEA OF A FEE ON VISITORS   AS WELL AS INCREASING HOTEL ROOM TAX?

THOSE KINDS OF TAXES VISITORS MORE?

>> I THINK THE QUICK ANSWER IS MAYBE.

IT DEPENDS ON WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

HOW WE'RE ALLOTTING TAX AND WOULD  ACTUALLY PAY GOING WHAT THE IMPACT IS.

RAISED HOTEL ROOM TAX MULTIPLE TIMES.

ONE TIME, TO PAY FOR RAIL.

WHICH YOU KNOW, FINALLY AFTER  YEARS AND YEARS, PRECEDING WITH   CONSTRUCTION IN THE DOWNTOWN CORRIDOR.

WE'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE I THINK THAT AT   EACH INCREMENT RAISED HOTEL ROOM TAX, HAWAII STILL  REMAINED COMPETITIVE AS A TOURISTS DESTINATION.

IF YOU RECALL, LOST 40,000 JOBS DURING  THE PANDEMIC WHEN WE DID THE SHUTDOWNS.

SO WE REALLY HAVE TO BE CAREFUL  NOT TO GO TOO FAR TOO FAST.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE CLIMATE FEE OR GREEN  FEE, WHEN TOURISTS GO TO DISNEYLAND OR   SOME OTHER REALLY CROWDED DESTINATIONS OFTEN  CAN YOU BUY FAST PASS OR LIGHTNING MORE MORE   ACCESS TO THE SHORT LINE.

SEEN THAT WORK IN HANA,   AND IN HAENA ON THE NORTH SHORE OF KAUAI.

AND IT'S RAISED SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY.

SO WE KNOW WE CAN DO IT.

JUST WE NEED TO TAKE A LITTLE   MORE TIME AND GET COORDINATED BETWEEN THE  TOURISTS INDUSTRY, STATE AND THE COUNTIES.

HOW YOU'RE GOING TO CHARGE IT SO IT DOESN'T  IMPACT THE INDUSTRY OR LOCAL PEOPLE.

>>Daryl: GET PANEL.

>> LAUREN MATSUMOTO DO YOU FEEL   LIKE THAT IS APPROPRIATE THING TO DO?

>> I AGREE WITH SENATOR.

ALL DEPENDS ON IMPLEMENTATION.

SO THAT.

>>Daryl: HOW IT'S USED.

>> ANY TAX PROBABLY MOST   PALATABLE NOT TAX REST LOCAL RESIDENTS.

>> LAST TIME RAISING HOTEL TAX A LOT OF   COMPLAINTS GOING TO ONLY WAY TO  HAVE A VACATION IS STAYCATIONER.

HURTING OUR LOCAL PEOPLE.

I THINK IMPLEMENTATION IS GOING TO BE   A BIG THING BUT ONE THINGS THAT  I THINK WE NEED TO DO AS WELL   IS HAVE A FINANCIAL DATABASE IN OUR STATE.

SIX YEARS AGO, ABLE TO BE ON THE TASK FORCE.

THAT WHAT RECOMMENDATION IN THE TECHNOLOGY WE  HAVE NOW SHOULD BE ABLE TO LINE ITEM KNOW HOW   MUCH WE'RE SPENDING ON THINGS, WHERE THEY'RE  AT IN PROCUREMENT, ANYTHING BEING OVERSPENT,   WE DON'T HAVE THAT TRANSPARENCY WE REALLY NEED.

BEFORE WE START TALKING ABOUT INCREASES,   INCREASES TAXES WE NEED TO KNOW WE'RE  SPENDING AND THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO   HAVE A CLEAR IDEA WHAT THAT IS.

>>Daryl: REPRESENTATIVE TODD   WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK IN CONCEPT,   AND A LOT OF IT DOWN TO THE DETAILS, ONE THING  WE LOOKED AT DEFINITELY AREAS OF OUR STATE AND   I THINK MOST COMMUNITIES WHERE THERE ARE VERY  SENSITIVE CULTURAL AREAS, ECOLOGICAL POINT OF   VIEW DON'T WANT TO OVERCROWD CERTAIN AREAS.

OTHER AREAS OF THE STATE, LESS OF A CONCERN.

I THINK SOME FORM OF DESTINATION MANAGEMENT  FOR THOSE SENSITIVE AREAS IS CRITICAL.

WE ALSO DON'T WANT TO BOG THIS DOWN IN VERY  INEFFICIENT WAY OF ADMINISTERING THIS FEE   WHERE IT ACTUALLY JUST BECOMES CUMBERSOME  AND EXPENSIVE TO ADMINISTER AND EATING   UP ALL THE FUNDS WE'RE GENERATING.

>> SOMETHING LIKE THE HOTEL ROOM TAX   IS AT LEAST SOMETHING THAT COULD BE  DONE WITH VERY LITTLE ADMINISTRATIVE   COST VERSUS SITE BY SITE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE.

>>Daryl: I'M GOING TO SHIFT GEARS A LITTLE BIT.

AUNTY MAHEA'S QUESTION.

EXCITING, FIRST WOMAN SPEAKER   FOR THE STATE AND FIRST TRANS WOMAN.

YES, SENATE  PRESIDENT, COUPLE OF SENATE PRESIDENTS WOMEN.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE FOR THE STATE  AND FIRST TRANS WOMAN IN THE HOUSE.

WILL THEY SUPPORT LGBTQ AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS?

THIS SESSION ENDS WITH THE NEW FEDERAL   ADMINISTRATION DUE TO START IN 1/20.

DOES OPEN THE DOOR TO CONVERSATION   ABOUT THE STATE'S RESPONSE TO  THE NEW ADMINISTRATION COMING IN.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IN THE BUDGET IS  $10 MILLION LINE ITEM FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO   BASICALLY CHALLENGE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION POLICIES.

REPRESENTATIVE MATSUMOTO.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> $10 MILLION IS A LOT OF MONEY.

>>Daryl: SUE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>> TO SUE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

SPENDING ON SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> ABLE TO SEE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHAT   PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IS THEIR DAY‑TO‑DAY  LIVES AND HOW ARE THEY GOING TO MAKE IT.

THAT'S WHAT WE SAW BEING EFFECTIVE.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE IN HAWAII.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF $10 MILLION IS A  RESPONSIBLE WAY TO BE SPENDING OUR MONEY.

>>Daryl: I ASK THAT QUESTION TO THROW IT OUT.

BACK TO THE ISSUE ABOUT  SOCIAL CIVIL RIGHTS AND SO ON.

DOES SEEM TO BE REAL PUSHBACK  AGAINST TRANSGENDERED FOLKS   IN THE NEW ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS.

>> SAMANTHA DECORTE, ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT   THAT HAVING IMPLICATIONS HERE IN HAWAII?

>> NOT CONCERNED ABOUT IT.

>> I AM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING OUR NATIVE  HAWAIIAN RIGHTS JUST CONTINUE TO BE WATERED DOWN   WITH ACT 279 PROVIDED DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME  LANDS $600 MILLION TO BUILD HOMES FOR HAWAIIANS.

SO TO BE HONEST, WHEN WE'RE PUTTING THINGS IN  PRIORITY, I BELIEVE NATIVE HAWAIIAN COMMUNITY   IS MORE OF A PRIORITY TO MAKE SURE WE PUT THEM  INTO THEIR HOMES AND PREVENT THEM FROM LEAVING.

>> AS YOU KNOW, MORE HAWAIIANS ON  THE CONTINENT THAN THERE ARE HERE.

SO THAT'S REALLY NOT AN ISSUE.

IT'S DEFINITELY NOT A PRIORITY.

IT'S NOT A CONCERN THAT IS  COMING OUT OF MY COMMUNITY.

MORE SO THAN THERE IS WHEN IT COMES  TO OUR NATIVE HAWAIIAN HOMESTEADERS,   HOMELESS ISSUES, CRIME, COST OF LIVING.

>>Daryl: REPRESENTATIVE, DO YOU WANT TO   SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THAT?

>> I THINK YOU AGREE.

EVERY DAY ISSUES THAT PEOPLE ARE CARING ABOUT.

I WOULD SAY GET TO THE EMAILS INTO OUR OFFICE,   NUMBER ONE ISSUES ARE HOW CAN I AFFORD MY  HOUSE, OR MY CONDO INSURANCE HAS GONE UP 300%.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

I CAN'T AFFORD IT.

DO I HAVE TO MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE?

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

I THINK THE BIGGEST THINGS, PRIORITIES  THAT I'VE BEEN SEEING IN MY OFFICE.

>>Daryl: DO YOU THINK THERE'S  A CONCERN TO BE HAD ABOUT THIS?

ABOUT WHETHER THE STATE NEEDS TO PROTECT ITSELF  IN SOME WAYS FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION   REPUBLICAN CONGRESS.

>> CIVIL RIGHTS.

>> I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THAT'S A CONCERN.

WHETHER $10 MILLION BEING HELD WHEN IT COULD   BE DISTRIBUTED BACK TO RESIDENTS OR FOR PROGRAMS  THAT CAN HELP RESIDENTS IS SOMETHING WE'RE GOING   TO FLESH OUT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

TWO THINGS THAT IMMEDIATELY COME TO MIND IS   THE ABILITY FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO UNILATERALLY  COME IN FOR NATIONAL SECURITY PURPOSES AND   TAKE ACTION IF THEY DEEM IT NECESSARY.

>> ALREADY SEEN THE PRESIDENT, WELL, ON RED   HILL FOR EXAMPLE, ON POHAKULOA, ALREADY SEEN THE  PRESIDENT THIS WEEK TALK ABOUT, PRESIDENT‑ELECT,   GREENLAND, CANADA AND MEXICO, PANAMA CANAL.

SO YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE RHETORIC AND BOMBAST   DOESN'T ACTUALLY END UP TURNING INTO THE SCARY  THING THAT MEDIA SOMETIMES MAKES IT OUT TO BE.

SOMETIMES IT DOES.

WE NEED TO TAKE   PRUDENT STEPS TO PROTECT OURSELVES.

ONE OF THE BILLS I JUST SIGNED TWO DAYS   AGO AND WILL INTRODUCE IS BILL DESIGNED TO SECURE  HAWAII'S POSITION ON IVF, IN VITRO FERTILIZATION.

THAT CAME FROM THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

VERY SCARED ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN UNDER   THIS ADMINISTRATION WITH THIS UNITED STATES  SUPREME COURT AROUND LGBTQ ACCESS RIGHTS IF   YOU'RE A MEMBER OF THAT COMMUNITY.

I THINK IT'S VALID TO BE CONCERNED.

BUT WE DO HAVE MANY OTHER PRIORITIES AND WE  HAVE TO DO MORE THAN ONE THING AT A TIME.

DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME TO ACT.

>>Daryl: REPRESENTATIVE TODD,   DO YOU HAVE ANY PARTICULAR CONCERNS ABOUT THE  INCOMING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THAT YOU FEEL   LEGISLATURE MAY END UP IN YOUR LAPS?

>> SURE.

I THINK WHEN IT COMES TO APPROPRIATION.

>> SOMETHING TO GET VETTED OUT OVER THE   INVESTIGATION.

FINANCE WAYS AND   MEANS COMMITTEE HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH  ADMINISTRATION JUST ON THE FISCAL SIDE OF THINGS,   PART OF WHAT WE NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR  PART OF WHAT LEGISLATURE HAS PREPARED   OUR DEPARTMENTS FOR, PLEASE IDENTIFY  WHERE YOU THINK CUTS MAY BE COMING.

A LOT OF OUR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION  BUDGET IS FEDERALLY FUNDED AS AN EXAMPLE.

SO THERE'S THAT ON THE FISCAL END OF THINGS.

FROM A CIVIL RIGHTS POINT OF VIEW,   I'M IN A POSITION OF PRIVILEGE FOR SURE AND I KNOW  THE ANXIETY I FEEL ABOUT THE FEDERAL SITUATION.

SO I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT FEELS LIKE FOR  SOMEONE NOT IN THAT POSITION OF PRIVILEGE.

SO I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN TAKE SOME  CONCRETE STEPS TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL   LITTLE MORE ASSURED AND PREPARE FOR THOSE KIND  OF WORST‑CASE OUTCOMES, BUT ALSO WITHIN REASON.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO OVERREACT AND OVERRESPOND TO  WHAT MAY POTENTIALLY BE COMING DOWN THE PIPELINE.

GOOD TO BE BEST PREPARED.

>>Daryl: HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO   THESE POSITIONS THAT YOU JUST HEARD?

YOU GUYS SAY NOT A PRIORITY.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE IT'S REALLY NOT  A PRIORITY OR FEEL LIKE YOU'RE   GOING TO HAVE DEAL WITH SOME OF THIS.

>> ALL OF IT IS SPECULATION RIGHT NOW.

WHAT SENATOR KEOHOKALOLE SAID, A LOT  TIMES, MEDIA SENSATIONALIZES THINGS.

>> WE'LL SEE.

NOT EVEN SWORN IN YET.

WHAT COMES DOWN THE PIKE.

>> BOOGIEMAN STORIES IN THE CORNER AND   THEN GO, OKAY, MAYBE LET'S SEE WHAT WE HAVE TO DO.

DOES IT WORK FOR HAWAII OR NOT, A LOT OF TIMES,   THINGS WORK FOR THE MAINLAND DOESN'T WORK HERE.

SO THOSE ARE CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE TO HAVE.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT'S GOING  TO BE HORRIBLE WORST‑CASE SCENARIO.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS WE HAVE GOING  FOR US.

MEDIA LIKES TO HAVE A GOOD STORY.

>>Daryl: I'M GOING TO AGAIN  CHANGE THE SUBJECT A LITTLE BIT.

I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS ON THIS.

OFTEN THAT IS SOMETIMES A MAJORITY.

NOT IN THIS CASE.

WILL THE STATE CONSIDER REDOING THE   RESTRICTIONS ON WHERE A LANDFILL CAN BE PLACED  TO AVOID PUTTING NEW LANDFILL NEAR AN AQUIFER?

TONY IN WAIANAE.

HOW CONCERNED IS THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT THE   SITE SELECTED FOR THE NEW LANDFILL ON OAHU?

SENATOR SAMANTHA DECORTE,   ISSUE FOR YOUR ENFORCEMENT.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE LAND FILL SHOULD   BE OVER AN AQUIFER.

NUMBER ONE.

TWO, VERY CONCERNED WITH THE CITY'S PROPOSAL  TO HAVE IT IN THIS LOCATION BECAUSE WHAT IT   IS DOING IS THE FORCING THE HAND OF THE  LEGISLATURE FOR POSSIBLY AMEND ACT 73.

SO PUTS THE BALL BACK IN OUR COURT  IF THEY CAN'T FIND ANOTHER LOCATION.

SO THE CITY JUST HAS TO DO A BETTER  JOB WITH FINDING A LOCATION BUT WE'RE   COMING TO THE END OF THE LANDFILL WHERE IT'S  CURRENTLY AT, SO REACHING THE TOP ALREADY.

MY FEAR IS THAT THE CITY WILL END  UP COMING BACK TO MY COMMUNITY,   EXTEND FURTHER MAUKA IN WAIMANALO GULCH AND SAY,  WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IT HERE FOR ANOTHER 30 YEARS.

>> CITY HAS GOT TO DO A BETTER  JOB IN FINDING ANOTHER LOCATION.

>> DEFINITELY DO NOT AGREE  WITH IT BEING OVER A AQUIFER.

>>Daryl: REPRESENTATIVE  MATSUMOTO, SENATOR KEOHOKALOLE.

INTERESTING POSITION WITH YOU.

OF THE PLACES THAT  WAS DISCUSSED BEFORE, WHAT'S IN HIS DISTRICT,   IT WOULD BE BARRED BY THE LAW, AS I UNDERSTAND.

IN YOUR DISTRICT, ALMOST YOUR DISTRICT,   TALKING ABOUT PUTTING IT.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE TOP   CALLS WE'VE BEEN HAVING RECENTLY BECAUSE  IT IS RIGHT NEXT TO MILILANI MAUKA AREA.

NOT IN FAVOR OF HAVING A LANDFILL THERE.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY IS IN FAVOR OF   HAVING IT MY BACKYARD.

>> SPEAKING TRUTHFULLY,   OVER AN AQUIFER, IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION.

HOW MANY PLACES DO WE HAVE IN HAWAII THAT ARE   IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION?

VERY LITTLE.

IF WE'RE CHOOSING THAT SITE FOR  A LAND FILL, NOT A WISE DECISION.

SO WE HAVE MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT  FOR THE CITY TO FIND A LOCATION.

IF ANYBODY HAS LOOKED AT THAT MAP, THE  AREAS THAT THEY CAN PUT IS VERY FEW CHOICES.

SO IT'S A CONVERSATION THAT NEEDS  TO BE HAD BUT THE CURRENT LOCATION,   I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF HAVING IT THERE.

>>Daryl: DO YOU HAVE A CONCERN THAT, IN   BARRING THIS LOCATION, THEY MAY END UP OPENING THE  DOORS TO SOME PLACE ON YOUR SIDE OF THE ISLAND?

>> I THINK EVERYONE ON OAHU HAS THAT CONCERN.

>> JUST HEARD IT HERE.

ONLY PERSON DOESN'T HAVE THAT  CONCERN IS REPRESENTATIVE TODD   BECAUSE HE LIVES ON A DIFFERENT ISLAND.

>> I LIVE RIGHT NEXT TO A LANDFILL.

ALWAYS HAD LANDFILL PROBLEMS.

CLOSED AT CAPACITY.

>>Daryl: IT'S ALL OVER THE STATE, THESE  ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, VERY DIFFICULT.

IN MY BACKYARD, AFFORDABLE HOUSING  IN MY BACKYARD, OPPOSED OFTENTIMES.

>> LET ME TRY A DIFFERENT TACTIC HERE.

WHAT DO INDUSTRIES WITH BETTER PAY JOBS   ARE YOU SUPPORTING INSTEAD OF OLD‑FASHIONED  TOURISM THAT IS SUCKING SO MUCH MONEY?

JUST READING WHAT THIS SAYS HERE.

ALTHOUGH MAYOR BLANGIARDI ONE TIME DID   CALL TOURISM EXTRACTED INDUSTRY.

THAT WAS INTERESTING.

SAMANTHA DECORTE, SENATOR DECORT, WHAT DO  YOU THINK IS THE BEST ECONOMIC DIVERSITY   TARGET THAT YOU COULD LOOK AT?

>> I'LL POSE THIS QUESTION TAKING   INTO CONSIDERATION MY DISTRICT, WHICH  IS PRIMARILY BLUE COLLAR WORKERS.

LIKELIHOOD OF OUR STUDENTS GRADUATING AND  GETTING RIGHT INTO THE WORKFORCE IS VERY   LIKELY SO THEY DO GET IN THE WORKFORCE.

>> MAKE SURE THEY HAVE GOOD‑PAYING JOBS.

ONE OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ARE BEING PART OF  A UNION, GETTING STRAIGHT INTO THE WORKFORCE.

A LARGE POPULATION IN MY  DISTRICT THAT ARE UNION MEMBERS.

SO FROM RIGHT THERE, GET AN APPRENTICESHIP  PROGRAM, THEN GET INTO A POSITION AT THE UNION.

DISTRICT IS PRIMARILY BLUE COLLAR, WE WANT  TO MAKE SURE WE PROVIDE OUR COMMUNITY WITH   THE MOST OPTIONS TO GET THE BEST PAYING  JOB AND IT'S ONLY BECAUSE OF HIGH COST OF   LIVING THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT  THEY CAN PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

>>Daryl: YOU'RE SAYING SHOULD WE  COURAGE DEVELOPMENT OF UNIONS?

NOT SURE WHAT YOU MEAN IN TERMS  OF HOW THAT DIVERSIFIES ECONOMY.

>> I THINK THE QUESTION WAS WHAT NEW  INDUSTRIES, INTO BETTER PAYING JOBS.

WHAT WOULD YOU SUPPORT?

>> I MEAN.

>>Daryl: CONSTRUCTION.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S THE MAKE‑UP OF OUR DISTRICT.

HANDS‑ON, BLUE COLLAR WORKERS.

BRING IN IDEAS, NEW TECHNOLOGY.

>> JUST STICK WITH WHAT WORKS FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> RIGHT NOW, WHAT WORKS FOR WAIANAE.

>>Daryl: DO YOU THINK WE'RE ACTUALLY   GOING TO SEE A CONSTRUCTION BOOM THAT  MIGHT START TO IMPROVE OUR ECONOMY?

>> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED  TO LOOK AT, JUST TALKED ABOUT LANDFILL.

LAND USE IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST ISSUES.

SO IF WE'RE LOOKING AT INDUSTRIES, THEY NEED   TO BE INDUSTRIES WITH A REALLY SMALL FOOTPRINT.

TALKING ABOUT TECHNOLOGY, I THINK THE AREA   THAT WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK INTO IS FILM.

PROUD GRADUATE OF ACADEMY CREATIVE MEDIA.

THE INDUSTRY IS ALREADY UP AND  RUNNING BUT WE CAN DO SO MUCH MORE.

WE WOULD RELY ON OUR BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE AND  DESTINATION TO HAVE PEOPLE COME AND FILM.

BUT NOW, WITH AI AND ALL OF DIFFERENT THINGS,  WE NEED THE SOUND STAGE, PRODUCTION STUDIO.

I THINK ON THE WEST SIDE, REALLY NEED TO PUSH  TO HAVE A FULL‑SCALE PRODUCTION STUDIO THERE.

IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE  USING THE RAIL, RAIL IS RIGHT THERE.

HAVE PEOPLE GOING TO AND FROM TOWN.

>> IN ORDER TO HAVE HIGH‑PAYING JOBS,   FILM INDUSTRY IS SOMETHING WE CAN REALLY TAP INTO.

AND AGAIN, NEW ACADEMY FOR CREATIVE   MEDIA IS RIGHT NEXT TO THAT LOCATION.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE LEGISLATURE   NEEDS TO SUPPORT BECAUSE IT'S LOW‑HANGING FRUIT.

>>Daryl: I'M SORRY.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT?

WONDERING IF GIVEN THE STRENGTH OF   THE TAX BASE THAT WE HAVE, DO WE HAVE  TO TWEAK THE ECONOMY TO GET JOBS?

IS IT JOBS OR HOUSING I GUESS IS  KIND OF QUESTION I WANT TO ASK.

BECAUSE YOU CAN'T AFFORD A  HOUSE, THAT PEOPLE ARE LEAVING?

OR IS IT BECAUSE JOBS DON'T PAY ENOUGH?

GET A JOB THAT PAYS ENOUGH TO BUY A HOUSE,   THAT'S A REALLY, REALLY HIGH‑PAYING JOB RIGHT NOW.

>> A LOT OF HARDEST PROBLEMS THAT WE DEAL WITH AT   THE STATE LEVEL ARE THESE CHICKEN OR EGG PROBLEMS.

MORE AND MORE, WHAT I'VE COME TO BELIEVE IS THAT   THE STATE OF HAWAII AS A GOVERNMENTAL  UNIT WILL NOT SUCCEED AND CANNOT BE THE   ENTITY THAT DECIDES WHAT THE NEXT INDUSTRY IS.

LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF HAWAII, SANDALWOOD AND   WHALING, SUGAR, MILITARY TOURISM, IT'S  GOING TO ORGANICALLY HAVE TO DEVELOP,   BUT WE NEED DO, I THINK WHAT'S REALLY  IMPORTANT FOR US BECAUSE WE HEAR IT FROM   ACROSS THE SPECTRUM IN BUSINESS, IS WE NEED  TO WORK ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE PIECES OF THIS.

I'M OF THE BELIEF THAT WE CAN SUPPORT  TARGETED WAYS WHERE DIFFERENT AREAS   WHERE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE,  AND PEOPLE CAN TAKE THEIR PRODUCTS,   THEY CAN MAKE THEIR PRODUCTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES  AND TAKE THEM TO MARKET ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

THAT'S THE WAY THE REST OF THE  ECONOMY AROUND THE WORLD IS WORKING.

SO WE GOT TO STICK TO THE BASE, INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHAT REPRESENTATIVE MATSUMOTO JUST SAID.

HAVING MASS TRANSIT TO A FILM STUDIO OPENS  UP A HUGE AREA OF WORKFORCE HOUSING THAT   HAS ACCESS TO THE STUDIO TO GET TO WORK.

SO HOUSING, EDUCATION, TRANSPORTATION,   BROADBAND SO THERE'S TECHNOLOGY ACCESS,  THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE DEPEND   ON THE GOVERNMENT TO FIGURE OUT ANY WAY.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH.

>> I THINK WE SHOULD PAY MORE ATTENTION TO, RATHER  THAN TRYING TO FORCE AN INDUSTRY TO CREATE OUT   OF NOTHING, WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR 40 YEARS.

>> JUST SET CONDITIONS AND LET'S SEE IF CAN GROW.

>>Daryl: ANY THOUGHT ON THAT REPRESENTATIVE TODD?

DIVERSIFICATION OR HOW DO WE USE THIS   ECONOMY TO KEEP PEOPLE HERE?

>> TO ECHO SENATOR'S COMMENTS,   IT'S A CHICKEN OR EGG THING.

>> HILO.

A LOT OF FRIENDS I GREW UP MOVING TO THE MAINLAND.

MOVING TO HONOLULU.

YOU GET A DOUBLE WHAMMY.

>> A LOT OF IT IS WAGE GROWTH.

THAT'S THE COMPONENT THAT IS NOT DISCUSSED  ENOUGH WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING.

MANY AREAS IN OUR COUNTRY AND WORLD  HAVE COMPARABLE COST OF LIVING.

MAYBE NOT QUITE AS HIGH OR MAYBE  NEARLY AS HIGH, BUT IN VIRTUALLY   ALL OF THOSE AREAS, MAKE A LOT MORE MONEY.

I THINK FIRST STEP WE CAN DO MORE TO CREATE   BETTER CONDITIONS FOR EMERGING INDUSTRIES.

>> I DO THINK THE MARKET GENERALLY WOULD   TAKE CARE OF THAT IF THE CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT.

BUT THE SECOND KEY COMPONENT IS  THAT WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB   OF CAPTURING REVENUE FROM CURRENT INDUSTRIES.

>> SO MANY CURRENT INDUSTRIES EXPORT PROFITS   ELSEWHERE AND THAT DOES NOT STAY HERE,  WHICH WOULD THEN FEED OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.

>>Daryl: GIVE ME A SPECIFIC.

>> TOURISM IS A GREAT EXAMPLE.

TOURISM, OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE THAT IS  THERE TO BE KIND OF THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY   ALONGSIDE OTHER INDUSTRIES, BUT MANY OF THOSE  TOURISM ASSETS ARE NOT OWNED BY LOCAL PEOPLE.

THAT MONEY DOES NOT STAY HERE.

WE CAN DO A LITTLE BIT BETTER   WITH REGULATORY STRUCTURE TRYING TO RECAPTURE  SOME OF THAT REVENUE, CIRCLING LOCAL ECONOMY,   WE NEED TO ADDRESS SHORTFALLS WE  HAVE WITHIN OUR CURRENT INDUSTRIES.

NURSING SHORTAGE OF ABOUT A THOUSAND NURSES.

IF WE DO A BETTER JOB WITHIN THE LEGISLATURE   SETTING CONDITIONS SO THOSE SHORTFALLS  ARE NOT SHORTFALLS GOING FORWARD.

THOSE ARE HIGH‑QUALITY, HIGH‑PAYING JOBS  THAT ARE CURRENTLY SITTING VACANT FILLED   BY TRAVELING NURSES WHO GET PAID DOUBLE  AND TRIPLE WHAT WOULD COST TO PAY A LOCAL.

>>Daryl: INDUSTRY IS THERE.

>> GETTING PEOPLE.

>> PART OF IT AT LEAST.

>>Daryl: WE ONLY TOUCHED ON THIS BRIEFLY.

HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS OVER‑REGULATION OF HOUSING  INDUSTRY TO MAKE IT YEARS TO BUILD AFFORDABLE   HOUSING THAT HAWAII RESIDENTS NEED?

KIM IN KAPOLEI.

LET ME BROADEN THAT QUESTION.

START WITH REPRESENTATIVE MATSUMOTO.

DO YOU FEEL WITH ALL THE INITIATIVES TALKING  ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BEEN A LOT.

MAYOR OF HONOLULU HAS A LOT.

GOVERNOR  HAS A LOT.

LEGISLATURE HAS A LOT.

ARE WE ON THE VERGE OF SOLVING THIS  HOUSING CRISIS YET OR WHAT DO YOU   THINK IS GOING ON IN THAT RESPECT?

DO WE STILL WAY OVER‑REGULATE LAND   USE WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING?

>> I THINK WE OVERREGULATE A LOT.

EVEN TALK ABOUT BUSINESS PRACTICES  AND OUR BUSINESS CLIMATE.

I THINK IT'S OVERREGULATED.

ALSO, WITH OUR HOUSING AND BUILDING.

I WANTED TO ENCLOSE MY CARPORT  AND MAKE IT ENCLOSED GARAGE.

IT TOOK ME A YEAR‑AND‑A‑HALF  TO GET THAT PERMIT HERE.

IN HONOLULU, ONE OF THE BILLS THAT REPUBLICANS  TALK ABOUT PUTTING IN IS CALLED A BUILDING PERMIT   SHOP CLOCK.

THAT HAS TO BE APPROVED IN 60 DAYS.

CAN'T HAVE THIS LONG BACKLOG AND MAKING IT SO   DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE IN ORDER TO GET PERMITS  IN ORDER TO FIX THEIR HOUSING OR ELSE BUILD   NEW HOUSING.

>> I THINK   THAT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> DEFINITELY THINK WE'RE OVERREGULATED.

>>Daryl: ON HOUSING?

AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

DO YOU FEEL LIKE WE MADE PROGRESS?

>> NO, WE HAVEN'T, BECAUSE DPP,   JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES,  DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND PERMITTING,   JUST LIKE OTHER GOVERNMENT  AGENCIES, ALL UNDER‑STAFFED.

PERMITS ARE PILING UP.

PROJECTS ARE CONTINUING TO GET EXTENDED.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS  CONTINUES TO GET MORE EXPENSIVE.

SO THIS CONTINUES TO DRIVE UP THE COST OF LIVING.

>> WHAT WOULD HAVE COST A HOME TO BE BUILT   2 YEARS AGO IS NOW MORE THAN THAT.

SO THAT DEFINITELY IS A DPP ISSUE.

SO AS FAR AS REGULATION, ABSOLUTELY.

>>Daryl: CONSUMER PROTECTION CHAIR,   HOW DO YOU THINK WE'VE DONE ON  THIS ISSUE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING,   AND IS THERE SOMETHING BIG THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN?

>> YOU'RE DEALING WITH AN INSURANCE ISSUE,   WHICH COULD ALSO BE A DAMPER.

>> YEAH.

A LOT OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO PREPARE AND  WORK ON OVER THE INTERIM FOR THIS LEGISLATIVE   SESSION IS HOW TO CREATE A SAFETY NET OR BACKSTOP  FOR INSURANCE ACCESS IN CASE WE HAVE A BROADER   MARKET FAILURE, WHICH WE WERE HOPING WAS NOT  GOING TO BE SOMETHING WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT.

NOW FIRES AGAIN AND IT'S GOING TO BE TOP OF MIND.

WHEN HURRICANE INIKI HIT, AS YOU MIGHT RECALL,   WELL, I WAS A KID BUT FOR THOSE THAT REMEMBER, >>Daryl: I COVERED IT.

>> HURRICANE INIKI HIT, HURRICANE  INSURERS FLED THE MARKET.

SEVEN YEARS, THEY WERE GONE.

STATE STEPPED IN.

>> CREATED HAWAII HURRICANE RELIEF FUND AND   PROVIDED STATE‑BACKED POLICIES SO THAT PEOPLE  WITH MORTGAGES COULD CONTINUE TO PAY THEIR   MORTGAGES AND HAVE AN INSURANCE BACKSTOP SO  THEY WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE BANKS.

WE HAVE TO RETOOL THAT.

THAT'S 3 DECADES OLD.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT, ON THE CONDOMINIUM SIDE,   PATHWAYS FOR PEOPLE TO ADDRESS THEIR DEFERRED  MAINTENANCE SO THEY CAN MAKE THEIR PROPERTIES   ATTRACTIVE AGAIN FOR INSURERS.

>> BUT ON THE DEVELOPMENT SIDE,   IT IS A DIFFICULT REGULATORY PROCESS.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO STAND HERE AND SAY THAT   ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND THAT MAKING SURE YOU'RE  PROPERLY ACCOUNTING FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN BONES,   THAT YOU'RE ACCOUNTING FOR SHORELINE RETREAT,  SIGNIFICANT THINGS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN   SERIOUSLY AT THE STATE LEVEL, I'M NOT SURE, IN  THE 60 DAYS, THAT WE HAVE MANDATING COUNTIES TO   DO THIS AND THAT IS THE BEST USE OF OUR TIME.

>>Daryl: ONLY GOT ABOUT A MINUTE TO GO HERE.

LET ME START WITH REPRESENTATIVE TODD.

IF THERE'S ONE BIG THING YOU COULD COME OUT,   HAD TO SET UP ONE PRIORITY, WHAT WOULD  IT BE FOR THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A MAJOR  DENT IN THE COST OF LIVING ISSUE.

I THINK WHETHER THAT IS  ALREADY GOING ON TOO LONG, NO.

DON'T STOP.

>> YEAH, I DO THINK THAT THE   INCOME TAX IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I DO THINK WE'LL HAVE TO CONTINUE THAT,   EVALUATE THAT AND MASSAGE IT  AROUND THE EDGES HERE AND THERE.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR.

DELIVER THEM NOT NECESSARILY BIGGER,   MAKE SURE THAT THOSE BENEFITS ARE GOING  TO THE FOLKS WHO NEED IT THE MOST.

>>Daryl: SAMANTHA DECORTE?

>> STOPPING FOREIGNERS FROM PURCHASES IN HAWAII.

>> BILL THAT WE INTRODUCED THROUGH  SENATOR AWA'S LAST LAST SESSION,   INTRODUCE IT AGAIN THIS SESSION.

TRY TO CONTINUE TO GET MOMENTUM.

PASS IT THROUGH THE SENATE.

HOPEFULLY GET IT THROUGH THE HOUSE, PUT SOME KIND   OF RESTRICTIONS WILL RELIEVE THE HOUSING MARKET.

A LOT OF FOREIGNERS BUYING AG LANDS RIGHT NOW.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO KEEP THOSE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP THOSE RESOURCES   AVAILABLE HERE.

>>Daryl: 30 SECONDS.

>> GO WITH COST OF LIVING AND EVERYTHING THAT  FALLS UNDER THAT, WHETHER THAT'S HOUSING,   INSURANCE ISSUE, CHILD CARE, COST OF  LIVING IS HANDS DOWN THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE.

>>Daryl: WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME.

MAHALO FOR JOINING US TONIGHT  AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS, REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS TODD AND  SENATOR SAMANTHA DECORTE, REPRESENTATIVE LAUREN  MATSUMOTO, AND SENATOR JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE.

I PROMISED I WOULDN'T BUTCHER  HIS NAME AND I DON'T THINK I DID.

NEXT WEEK, WE DISCUSS BAD DRIVING BEHAVIORS.

FROM TEXTING WHILE DRIVING, TO SPEEDING, TO DRIVING WHILE  IMPAIRED, IT MAY BE A NEW YEAR BUT THE SAME PROBLEMS CONTINUE  TO PLAGUE US ON THE ROAD, SO WHAT’S BEING DONE TO ROOT OUT  THESE BAD BEHAVIORS?

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M DARYL HUFF FOR INSIGHTS ON  PBS HAWAII.

ALOHA.