Emma Caires
UH Legislative News InternEmma Caires is the Legislative News Intern during her final semester at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she majors in journalism and minors in communicology. With strong familial ties to Kāneʻohe, she loves being able to report on things that hit close to home, both politically and personally.
Emma started her college career at De Anza College in the Bay Area, California, where she was editor-in-chief for the student publication, La Voz. In her free time, she can be found out in nature, probably meditating, doing yoga, or anything that makes her feel grounded again.
Contact Emma at ecaires@hawaiipublicradio.org
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House Bill 348 would ban small single-use plastic bottles in hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts — essentially any place with 50 or more lodging rooms — starting next year. Once 2028 rolls around, this ban will apply to any location that provides one or more rented rooms for lodging. -
A measure aims to require children under age 16 to wear helmets while skateboarding. Current law prohibits young bike riders from riding without a helmet. -
Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen noted that local children who run away from their families face the highest risk of being trafficked because of their vulnerability and lack of stability. -
A measure that died at the state Legislature would have required food, beverage and service businesses that accept tips to post signs with a breakdown of where the tips go. -
The U.S. Department of Education on Monday sent letters to colleges that are under investigation for antisemitic harassment and discrimination. -
A bill introduced this legislative session would have required local medical school graduates to work as physicians in the state for two years after graduation. While supporters said it would have helped tackle Hawaiʻi’s physician shortage, the bill has died this session. -
Lawmakers are considering a measure that would redefine a reported hate crime as any reported incident that might be motivated by bias or prejudice. Currently, it only gets reported if it results in a criminal charge. -
Under the bill, if the state Department of Land and Natural Resources cannot complete a project review within 60 days, the project would be passed onto a third party chosen by the State Historic Preservation Division. -
Families with 3- or 4-year-olds born between Aug. 1, 2020, and July 31, 2022, can now apply for the state program funding early education to families in need. -
Several bills this legislative session opt for either universal free breakfast and lunch, or for free meals for students who are currently eligible for reduced-pricing. But for past sessions, cost has been the biggest obstacle. Emma Caires, HPR's legislative news intern, has more.
