HPR's coverage of the 2024 Hawaiʻi legislative session
Hawaiʻi Public Radio is tracking the latest news inside the Hawaiʻi State Capitol as bills approved in regular session, which ran from Jan. 17 to May 3, go to the governor's desk for decision-making.
If Gov. Josh Green intends to veto a bill, he must inform the Legislature of his plan by June 25. Green has until July 10 to sign a bill into law, let a bill pass without his signature, or deliver a veto.
The Legislature can override a veto in special session by a two-thirds vote in each chamber.
At the start of the session, lawmakers warned they would face tough decisions focusing on Maui's recovery and balancing core government functions.
In the end, they provided funding for Maui, approved more regulations for short-term rentals, cut income taxes and invested in biosecurity measures.
On this page, you'll also find interviews from HPR's The Conversation with state lawmakers, appointed officials and elected leaders.
Have a legislative tip or story idea for Hawaiʻi Public Radio? Contact us at news@hawaiipublicradio.org.
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Office of Gov. Josh GreenStarting in 2026, doctors will no longer have to pay the state’s general excise tax on health care for patients on Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare. It’s a major win for medical professionals who have had to pay a 4% tax to care for those on government health plans.
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Office of Gov. Josh GreenThe law eliminates the state’s lowest tax brackets and lowers the rates for all tax brackets. The cuts will take place in phases over a seven-year period and will cost the state $1.3 billion in yearly revenue.
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For those with questions about the legislative process, the Public Access Room at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol probably has your answers. Virginia Beck has led the PAR for nearly 10 years — and has worked there for almost 20. Under her supervision, the PAR has expanded its reach to Hawaiʻi residents. HPR's Ashley Mizuo spoke with Beck ahead of her last day.
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The fund's original sign-up deadline of April 30 was first extended to May 31. It has been further extended to June 15, 2024, by Gov. Josh Green.
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Local officials and advocates are celebrating the passage of significant housing reform bills that made it through the state legislative session. Perhaps the most notable — and controversial — of those measures is a bill that forces the counties to increase the number of accessory dwelling units allowed on residential properties in urban areas by 2026. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.
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The Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, the largest gathering of Pacific Islanders, is anticipated to draw more than 100,000 people and over 2,100 delegates from 26 Pacific nations and territories. Kiribati was the first nation to arrive on island, while others are expected to land later this week. The free 10-day festival starts June 6. HPR's Cassie Ordonio reports.
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It's been 20 years since Dr. Jack Lewin has held the post of Hawaiʻi health director. Lewin has returned home to Hawaiʻi with a mission to help overhaul health care.
