Last week, the House Majority announced their top priorities for the upcoming 2023 Legislative Session. They include affordable housing, financial relief for low-income families, mental health services, and natural resources. Find more information at hawaiihousedemocrats.com

The 2023 Legislative Session kicks off today! Join us for Opening Day at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol. Can't make it in person? Join us virtually at 'Ōlelo Channel 49, the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives Youtube, or the Hawaiʻi State Senate Youtube. Tune in at 10:00 a.m. today.

Opening Day was a success and an excellent start to the 2023 Legislative Session. If you weren't able to attend in person, we hope you caught the Opening Session virtually. Pictured here are the Hawaiʻi Island representatives. Unfortunately, Rep. Nakashima could not attend.

I am pleased to introduce the District 8 team for the 2023 legislative session. We all look forward to a productive and successful session!

District 8 Staff continued.

Today, I attended the first State of the State Address of Gov. Josh Green, M.D., to a joint session of the Hawai'i State Legislature in the House Chamber. In his address, Gov. Green emphasized critical issues including affordable housing, homelessness, cost of living, and more.

The Hawaii Island Humane Society has created this flyer that can help in situations involving lost or found pets. Find more information at hihs.org/services/lost-…

Yesterday, Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald delivered the State of the Judiciary address at a joint session of the State Senate and House. After the address, I was able to catch a photo with Hawai'i Island senators, representatives, judges, and prosecutors.

Tomorrow, the House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs will conduct its first hearing for the 2023 Legislative Session. You can find the full notice of hearing here: capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/sessi…

Last week, JHA had a hearing and approved numerous ethics reform bills proposed by the Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct. We appreciate the recommendations that were made by the members of the CISC, and the testimony provided by the public on these important measures.

Updates: Visit from Kanu o ka ʻĀina and Waimea Middle School Students, KMA Complex Widland Fire, HDOA Specialty Crops Grant, and more! - mailchi.mp/ca8285c5d86d/a…

Aloha from Representative David Tarnas - mailchi.mp/f500498cd531/a…

Today, I am pleased to announce that SB36 has been signed into law as Act 1 by Governor Josh Green today.

Yesterday, I gave the invocation to start the floor session. In honor of Queen Liliʻuokalani, I performed "ʻO kou Aloha Nō," composed by the Queen while under house arrest in ʻIolani Palace. This hymn is a heartfelt prayer asking forgiveness for those who unjustly imprisoned her.

My House floor session invocation performance of "ʻO kou Aloha Nō" by Queen Liliʻuokalani.

8a: Customers in the North Kohala area should expect to experience an unplanned outage from 930a to 130p. Crews will need to conduct emergency repairs to transmission lines. There will be no impacts to traffic. Mahalo for your patience. #BigIslandOutage

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the Hawai’i State Wildfire Safety Symposium at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center. I would like to extend my gratitude to the organizers for bringing this event together and keeping our community informed about wildfire safety. Mahalo!

3p #BigIslandOutage update: We must perform emergency repair work that will require a power outage for ~2000 customers in Kohala from 3p to 7p today. Service for customers from the Kohala Ranch subdivision on Kohala Mountain Road to Puuhue Ranch will not be interrupted.