Hawaii legislature opens amid federal budget concerns, bribery investigation

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii’s annual legislative session began Wednesday with lawmakers expressing deep concern about potential federal budget cuts and reacting to news that the attorney general will investigate a four-year-old bribery allegation.

Lawmakers described the mood as uncertain due to unpredictable politics in Washington and the looming investigation by the attorney general.

From the first speeches, Washington was top of mind for legislators.

“Everything that was a priority last year is this year, and we are still dealing with the uncertainty of Washington, D.C.,” said Senate President Ronald Kouchi during opening remarks.

“We’ve been divided by the American political system,” said Senate Minority Leader Brenton Awa. “If we can’t put our differences aside for simple dialogue, it shouldn’t matter if you’re red, white, blue, mahu. Recognize we are few and unless your name is (MMA fighter) Max Holloway, choosing to fight each other will only keep you standing for so long.”

House Speaker Nadine Nakamura said their work during the interim was influenced by decisions made by the federal government.

“As we go through the next several months, we’re going to be thrown all other, many other crazy ideas that some will, you know, some be implemented and some will not. So it’s a very fluid situation,” she said.

“Every week the president does something crazy, and then it’s state legislatures that sometimes have to clean up the mess,” said Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole.

Democrats said they have saved in the budget for an uncertain future.

All lawmakers agreed that the cost of living was issue number one, while Republicans said upcoming state tax breaks should not be sacrificed.

“We as a legislature need to take a critical look at our budgets, and our government spending before asking people to give up more of their hard-earned paychecks. We made a promise and we should keep it,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Lauren Matsumoto.

Rep. Chris Todd, chair of the House Finance Committee, said any legislation that passes should not place “an additional burden on low- and middle-income families that can already not afford to pay more or are already struggling to make ends meet.”

Attorney general investigation welcomed

The attorney general announced Tuesday that she would investigate an allegation that an unnamed lawmaker in 2022 accepted $35,000 in a bag.

Leaders welcomed the investigation after being pressured to investigate themselves.

“We will definitely cooperate. I think this is a dark cloud over the legislature,” Nakamura said.

Keohokalole said the attorney general’s office has the proper resources for the investigation. “They have investigators. They have prosecutors in a special unit that’s tasked to do this type of work, but also, if there is a crime, she can actually file the indictment,” he said.

Awa pointed out it was unlikely the culprit was Republican, and pointed out he’d brought a polygraph machine on the desk next to him.

Lawmakers hope they can emerge from this wait-and-see position before the legislature ends in May.

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