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HPR's coverage of the Hawaiʻi legislative session

Aloha and welcome to Hawaiʻi Public Radio’s coverage of the 2025 legislative session.
Rep. Nadine Nakamura addresses the state House as speaker for the first time on Jan. 15, 2025.
Mark Ladao
/
HPR
Rep. Nadine Nakamura addresses the state House as speaker for the first time on Jan. 15, 2025.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio tracked the latest news inside the Hawaiʻi State Capitol as lawmakers worked throughout the 2025 legislative session from Jan. 15 to May 2.

Hawaiʻi's Legislature operates on a biennial (two-year) system. 2025 is the first year of the upcoming biennium. Bills that did not pass in 2025 can be revived in 2026 at the same legislative stage.

On this page, you'll also find interviews from HPR's The Conversation with state lawmakers, appointed officials, and leaders such as Gov. Josh Green, Senate President Ron Kouchi and House Speaker Nadine Nakamura.

Want more legislative coverage straight to your email? Subscribe to our weekday news newsletter, Akamai Recap, using the form below or by clicking here.

Have a legislative tip or story idea for Hawaiʻi Public Radio? Contact us at news@hawaiipublicradio.org.

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The latest from the Hawaiʻi State Capitol
  • Courtesy Waimea Herb Company
    Māmaki labeling bill to be vetoed following outcry from Hawaiʻi farmers
    Mark Ladao
    Following an outcry from local farmers, Gov. Josh Green announced his intention to veto a labeling bill that would have affected māmaki sold in Hawaiʻi. As part of a broader, years-long trend to protect local farmers, consumers and the “Hawai'i-grown” label, state lawmakers introduced House Bill 496 and let it sail through this year’s legislative session.
  • Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald delivers his State of the Judiciary Address to a joint session on Jan. 23, 2025, on the floor of the state Senate. Immediately to his left are Hawaiʻi's legislative leaders, Senate President Ron Kouchi and House Speaker Nadine Nakamura, and to his right is Gov. Josh Green.
    Hawaiʻi State Judiciary
    State Legislature rules in favor of Hawaiʻi Judiciary
    Ashley Mizuo
    This legislative session was one of the most successful for the Judiciary: better compensation, more judge positions and more diversion programs. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports on why that branch of government was able to get most of its legislative package passed.

Links and resources:

The public access room at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol.
How to learn more about the legislative process at the Public Access Room
The Conversation paid a visit to the Public Access Room and the Legislative Reference Bureau, two resources created by the Legislature to encourage public participation in Hawaiʻi lawmaking.