Aloha and welcome to Hawaiʻi Public Radio’s coverage of the 2025 legislative session.
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Certain issues seem to come before Hawaiʻi's Legislature each session. One is the legalization of marijuana, with strong views on both sides. But in Hawaiʻi, there's one perspective that sets it apart. We get more on that story from Pacific Business News Editor in Chief Janis Magin. -
The state has more than $400 million in unspent federal funds for a program to help low-income families. HPR’s Ashley Mizuo reports on why and how it will be spent as Hawaiʻi faces cuts to federal social service programs. -
Instead of having a law in place, the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation only has an agency policy that advocates say is complicated and lengthy. -
The Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Oʻahu County Committee is looking for candidates in the Pearl City-Waipahu area to fill the soon-to-be vacant state Senate District 19 seat. -
With the end of a federal tax credit for rooftop solar on the horizon, some players in the solar industry want lawmakers to retool a state-level incentive. HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote has more. -
State Rep. Della Au Belatti announced Thursday her intent to run for U.S. Congress, making her the newest candidate in the race for the Hawaiʻi District 1 seat, currently held by U.S. Rep. Ed Case. -
Starting in 2024, the program allowed for the state-initiated “expungement” of some marijuana-related offenses on Hawaiʻi Island, and this year state lawmakers expanded that to include excessive purchases of drugs with the lowest risk of dependency. -
Medicaid patients with marijuana possession arrest records may face obstacles in adhering to work requirements in 2027. Many people are eligible for expungement, but the process can be difficult to navigate. -
The House Public Safety Committee urged the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management to better identify where people should go in the case of a higher category hurricane. -
States like California and New York are considering state laws that could put guardrails on immigration enforcement. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports on calls for similar action in Hawaiʻi.
