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Cannabis Decriminalization Bill Fails in Hawaii

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Cannabis Decriminalization Bill Fails in Hawaii


In a surprising turn of events, both proponents and opponents of cannabis reform in Hawaii joined forces to defeat a bill aimed at decriminalizing marijuana further.

The bill, known as SB2487, would have eased penalties for possession and use of marijuana but was rejected in a vote of 16 to 9 in the state legislature. Sen. Angus McKelvey (D) explained his opposition by highlighting potential risks.

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“The Senate sent a very good, reasonable, recreational legalization bill with guard rails over to the other chamber. In other states where the rush to decriminalization is outpacing their own recreational medical marijuana market; you could have a black market that could explode. Thereby undercutting and creating all the safety hazards that the bill that we sent over would have addressed,” McKelvey stated.

The bill aimed to remove certain penalties under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, specifically those related to marijuana paraphernalia. It also proposed reducing penalties for the possession and transfer without remuneration of marijuana, concentrates and infused products, while designating public smoking of marijuana as a violation under promoting a detrimental drug in the third degree. Currently, Hawaii has decriminalized possession of up to three grams of cannabis.

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The rejection of SB2487 comes after another failed legislative effort earlier this year when a recreational cannabis bill was killed in the House.

Senate Floor Session 4-22-2024 11:30am.

If They Favor Cannabis, Why Would They Reject The Bill?

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Cannabis regulation isn’t simply a battle between progressives and conservatives. Advocates for cannabis freedom often support decriminalization, but the complete liberalization of the cannabis market can introduce health and public safety challenges. These concerns are more effectively managed through legalization frameworks. Similarly, substances like alcohol, tobacco and prescription medications are regulated rather than merely decriminalized, just as the personal possession of nearly all plants is subject to legal oversight.

Hawaiian decriminalization began in early 2020 after an initial attempt to pass a legalization bill failed in the House. There appears to be a consistent approach in the political discussions, which involves a trade-off between pursuing full legalization and expanding consumer rights through decriminalization measures.

This reflects a strategic legislative effort, balancing the broader goals of legalization against more immediate, albeit limited, advancements. Meanwhile, another piece of legislation concerning cannabis is advancing. A new bill that would establish a pilot program for marijuana expungements is headed to the desk of Gov. Josh Green (D-HI). If approved, it could offer some relief and reform, compensate for the technical tie and level the scale a bit once again.

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Comet Lemmon and Milky Way spotted over Hawaii | Space photo of the day for Dec. 12, 2025

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Comet Lemmon and Milky Way spotted over Hawaii | Space photo of the day for Dec. 12, 2025


Comet C/2025 A6, better known as Comet Lemmon, was one of the latest icy visitors to swing through our neighborhood of the solar system, leaving astronomers and casual skywatchers equally delighted. For observers in Hawaii, the glow of the Milky Way didn’t dim the streak of light made by this comet passing through.

What is it?

Where is it?

This image was taken atop the volcanic peak Mauna Kea, on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Comet Lemmon could be seen with the naked eye as it streaked across the sky. (Image credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURAImage processing: M. Rodriguez (International Gemini Observatory/NSF NOIRLab) & M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab))

Why is it amazing?



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Hawaii senator introduces bill to reunite, protect immigrant families

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Hawaii senator introduces bill to reunite, protect immigrant families


WASHINGTON, D.C. (HawaiiNewsNow) – U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) reintroduced a piece of legislation on Thursday to strengthen protections for immigrant families and address long-standing problems in the family immigration system.

The Reuniting Families Act aims to reduce visa backlogs, boost efficiency across the immigration process, and ensure a fairer, more humane process for immigrant families.

“Immigrant families currently experience unnecessary obstacles and delays due to our country’s broken immigration system, keeping families separated for potentially long periods of time,” Hirono said. “By reducing family-based immigration backlogs and making common sense updates to how we treat families, the Reuniting Families Act will help take the first step in the right direction to keeping families together as they navigate our immigration system.”

According to the senators behind this bill, nearly four million people with approved visa applications are currently trapped in a massive immigration backlog, with many waiting more than a decade to reunite with their loved ones.

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“As Donald Trump’s inhumane mass deportation campaign rips apart families and communities across the country, it’s paramount we address the unnecessary barriers in our immigration system that have created backlogs and kept families apart for years,” Duckworth said. “Our legislation would implement commonsense reforms to help end family-based backlogs, which keep too many with approved green card applications stuck in bureaucratic limbo, and help get more families where they belong—together.”

The Reuniting Families Act would shorten delays by recapturing unused visas, rolling them into future years, expanding who qualifies as a family member to include permanent partners, and increasing both the total number of available family preference visas and per-country limits.

The bill would also put a time limit on visa processing, so no applicant has to wait more than 10 years for a visa if they have an approved application.

Click here to read the full bill.

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Rouhliadeff scores 16, Hawaii beats D-II Hawaii Hilo 98-46

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Rouhliadeff scores 16, Hawaii beats D-II Hawaii Hilo 98-46


HONOLULU (AP) — Henry Rouhliadeff scored 16 points to lead six Hawaii players in double figures and the Rainbow Warriors beat Division-II Hawaii Hilo 98-46 on Wednesday night.

Rouhliadeff made 6 of 9 from the field and finished with nine rebounds and five assists. Dre Bullock scored 12 points for Hawaii (9-2) and Hunter Erickson, Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, Gytis Nemeiksa and Isaac Finlinson added 11 points apiece.

Jamal Entezami led Hawaii Hilo with 11 points and Jessiya Villa scored 10.

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Hawaii shot 51% overall and made 13 3-pointers. The Rainbow Warriors, who went into the game averaging 13.4 assists per game, had a season-high 25 assists on 35 made field goals.

The 52-point margin of victory was Hawaii’s largest since a 106-49 win over Redlands on Jan. 28, 1972, and the third largest in program history. The Rainbow Warriors beat BYU Hawaii by 67 (106-49) in the 1962-63 season.

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