Legislative Members

30th Legislature, 2019
View Legislative Calendar

Session convene times for Tuesday, February 18, 2020:
Senate: 11:30 a.m. | House of Representatives: 12:00 p.m.

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House District 9
Hawaii State Capitol
Room 405
phone: 808-586-6210
fax: 808-586-6211
repwoodson@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Member of the following committees:

Lower & Higher Education

Housing

Transportation

9 - Kahului, Puunene, Old Sand Hills, Maui Lani

2019 Summer Update Newsletter
2019 Session Newsletter
2018 January Newsletter
2017 Newsletter
2016 May Community Update
2016 Mid Session Newsletter
2015 Summer Update
End of Session Newsletter
2014 Start of Session
2013 Session Highlights

Measures Introduced

	Title
HB33 HD1	RELATING TO MAGNET SCHOOLS.
HB155	RELATING TO AIR QUALITY.
HB242	RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR AN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL IN THE NINTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.
HB243 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION FUNDING.
HB244 HD1	RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.
HB245 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB246 HD2	RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.
HB247 HD1	RELATING TO SCHOOLS.
HB248 HD1	RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.
HB249 HD1	RELATING TO SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS.
HB251 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB277	RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION.
HB278	RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION.
HB279	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB280	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB281	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB310	RELATING TO ON-SITE EARLY CHILDHOOD FACILITIES.
HB312 HD1 SD2	RELATING TO CREATIVE MEDIA.
HB315	MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CHILD CARE SITE DIRECTOR POSITION.
HB317	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB324 HD1	RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.
HB325 HD1	RELATING TO DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED.
HB326 HD1	RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSES.
HB377 HD1	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
HB378 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO FILIPINO VETERANS BURIAL ASSISTANCE.
HB406 HD2	RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
HB408	RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.
HB409	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB410	RELATING TO RESTITUTION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME.
HB411 HD2	RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
HB412 HD1	RELATING TO THE SALARY OF THE STATE LIBRARIAN.
HB413 HD2 SD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION INNOVATION GRANTS.
HB414 HD1	RELATING TO PROCUREMENT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
HB415 HD1	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TUITION AND FEES SPECIAL FUND.
HB421 HD2	RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.
HB435	RELATING TO INSURANCE.
HB447	RELATING TO AQUATIC RESOURCES.
HB454 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO KAHOOLAWE ISLAND RESERVE.
HB455 HD1	RELATING TO THE KAHOOLAWE ISLAND RESERVE COMMISSION.
HB466 HD1 SD1	MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER.
HB467 HD1 SD2	RELATING TO THE KUPUNA CAREGIVERS PROGRAM.
HB469 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.
HB470	RELATING TO RETIREMENT SAVINGS.
HB472	RELATING TO ACTIVE AGING.
HB473	RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.
HB474	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB541	PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 12 AND 13, OF THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTIES TO ISSUE TAX INCREMENT BONDS AND TO EXCLUDE TAX INCREMENT BONDS FROM DETERMINATIONS OF THE FUNDED DEBT OF THE COUNTIES.
HB542	RELATING TO TAX INCREMENT BONDS.
HB544	RELATING TO LIABILITY.
HB545	RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.
HB549 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
HB550 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.
HB562 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION WASTE.
HB564	RELATING TO THE STATE SHRIMP.
HB565 HD1	RELATING TO DISCLOSURE OF COASTAL HAZARDS.
HB599	RELATING TO TEACHER HOUSING.
HB603	RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.
HB604	RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
HB721 HD1	RELATING TO UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII DEVELOPMENTS.
HB722 HD1	RELATING TO PALLIATIVE CARE.
HB726 HD1	RELATING TO A TEACHER TAX CREDIT.
HB734	RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.
HB737	RELATING TO AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER.
HB835	RELATING TO VEHICLES.
HB853	RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
HB887 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO INTOXICATING LIQUOR.
HB889 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.
HB891 HD1	RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB892	RELATING TO CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
HB917 HD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL LANDS.
HB918 HD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL LANDS.
HB919 HD1	RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
HB920	RELATING TO SCHOOL BASED HEALTH SERVICES.
HB921 HD2 SD2	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB922	RELATING TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON EARLY LEARNING.
HB923	RELATING TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON EARLY LEARNING.
HB924	RELATING TO PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.
HB925	RELATING TO PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.
HB926	RELATING TO STATE LIBRARIES.
HB1063	RELATING TO CIVIC EDUCATION.
HB1071	RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.
HB1085 HD1	RELATING TO THE DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER PROGRAM.
HB1106	RELATING TO CONSERVATION DISTRICT PERMITS.
HB1130	RELATING TO UNCLAIMED PROPERTY.
HB1141	RELATING TO HOUSING.
HB1142 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO THE HOUSING LOAN AND MORTGAGE PROGRAM.
HB1154 HD1	RELATING TO THE OWNER-BUILDER EXEMPTION.
HB1155	RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION.
HB1156 HD1	RELATING TO BROADBAND SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE.
HB1158	RELATING TO COUNTY SIDEWALKS.
HB1164 HD1	RELATING TO DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.
HB1166 HD1	RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.
HB1193 SD1	RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB1209 HD2	RELATING TO HOUSING.
HB1231 HD1	RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
HB1274 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB1275 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB1277 HD1	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROMISE PROGRAM.
HB1346 HD2 SD1	RELATING TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
HB1347 HD1	RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.
HB1348	RELATING TO TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS.
HB1379	RELATING TO VOTER REGISTRATION.
HB1380 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.
HB1381 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO LOBBYISTS.
HB1382 HD2	RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.
HB1444	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB1447 HD1	RELATING TO PALLIATIVE CARE.
HB1448 HD1	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB1451 HD3	RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.
HB1452 HD1	RELATING TO CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES.
HB1454	RELATING TO AN EARNED INCOME DISREGARD PROGRAM.
HB1456	RELATING TO THE MAUI FOOD INNOVATION CENTER.
HB1457 HD2 SD1	RELATING TO TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.
HB1465 HD2	RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
HB1466	RELATING TO ELECTIONS.
HB1485 HD2 SD1	RELATING TO VOTER REGISTRATION.
HB1521 HD1	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII BUDGET.
HB1522 HD1	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII BUDGET.
HB1523 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BUDGET.
HB1524 HD1 SD2	RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BUDGET.
HB1525 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM BUDGET.
HB1526 HD1 SD2	RELATING TO THE STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS BUDGET.
HB1527 HD2 SD2	RELATING TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON EARLY LEARNING BUDGET.
HB1529 HD1	RELATING TO STUDENT JOURNALISTS.
HB1545	RELATING TO VOTER REGISTRATION.
HB1566 HD1	RELATING TO PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS.
HB1578	RELATING TO SEA LEVEL RISE.
HB1583 HD2 SD2	RELATING TO ELECTRIC GRID RESILIENCY.
HB1644 HD1	RELATING TO THE CONVEYANCE TAX.
HB1651 HD1	RELATING TO VEHICLE INSPECTIONS.
HB1693	RELATING TO VEHICLES.
HB1695 HD1	RELATING TO STANDARDIZED TESTING.
HB1816 HD1	RELATING TO HOUSING.
HB1817 HD1	RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.
HB1844 HD1	RELATING TO CLEAN ENERGY FINANCING.
HB1848 HD1	RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
HB1849 HD1	RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.
HB1852	RELATING TO ENERGY FINANCING FOR STATE AGENCIES.
HB1858	RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.
HB1859 HD1	RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
HB1860 HD2	RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.
HB1861 HD1	RELATING TO COFFEE BERRY BORER.
HB1864 HD2	RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.
HB1865 HD1	RELATING TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIA.
HB1866 HD1	RELATING TO THE HEALTHY AGING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.
HB1867 HD1	RELATING TO THE KUPUNA CAREGIVERS PROGRAM.
HB1868 HD1	RELATING TO JURY DUTY.
HB1869	RELATING TO PARKING FOR DISABLED PERSONS.
HB1870 HD1	RELATING TO LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE.
HB1871 HD1	RELATING TO LONG TERM CARE.
HB1872 HD1	MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE OFFICE OF THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM.
HB1873	RELATING TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.
HB1874	RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES AGAINST SENIORS.
HB1880 HD1	RELATING TO THE KAHOOLAWE ISLAND RESERVE COMMISSION.
HB1907 HD1	RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.
HB1915 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB1921 HD1	RELATING TO HUNTING.
HB1922 HD1	RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.
HB1923 HD1	RELATING TO MEASUREMENT STANDARDS.
HB1924 HD1	RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.
HB1926	RELATING TO STATE FORMS.
HB1927	RELATING TO EMOLUMENTS.
HB1928 HD1	RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS.
HB1929 HD2	RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
HB1930 HD1	RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB1931	RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB1932	RELATING TO HOUSING.
HB1933 HD1	RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL.
HB1934 HD1	RELATING TO CLEAN AND RENEWABLE ENERGY JOBS.
HB1955 HD1	RELATING TO ELECTRIC FOOT SCOOTERS.
HB1957 HD1	RELATING TO TAX CREDITS.
HB1958 HD1	RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB1974 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB1976	RELATING TO LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME IMMIGRANTS.
HB1977 HD1	RELATING TO PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE.
HB1978 HD1	RELATING TO SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS.
HB1994 HD1	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
HB1996 HD2	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB1997	RELATING TO HOLIDAYS.
HB2004 HD1	RELATING TO CHILD PASSENGER RESTRAINTS.
HB2005	RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES.
HB2014	RELATING TO HOUSING.
HB2083	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB2084	RELATING TO LEARNING CENTERS.
HB2085	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB2086	RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION.
HB2087	RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION.
HB2088 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB2089	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
HB2090 HD2	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
HB2091 HD1	RELATING TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS.
HB2092 HD1	RELATING TO SCHOOLS.
HB2093 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION DATA.
HB2094 HD1	RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.
HB2095	RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE NINTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.
HB2138 HD1	RELATING TO TAX CREDITS.
HB2139 HD1	RELATING TO HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
HB2149 HD1	RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL SPORTS.
HB2150 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB2152 HD1	RELATING TO TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.
HB2183 HD1	RELATING TO THE HOUSING LOAN AND MORTGAGE PROGRAM.
HB2186 HD1	RELATING TO THE UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION OF HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINES.
HB2225	RELATING TO CHILDREN.
HB2249 HD1	RELATING TO MEDICAID BENEFITS.
HB2254 HD1	RELATING TO LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.
HB2255 HD1	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROMISE PROGRAM.
HB2256 HD2	RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
HB2257 HD1	RELATING TO THE CONFERENCE CENTER REVOLVING FUND.
HB2258 HD2	RELATING TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
HB2411 HD1	RELATING TO HOUSING ASSISTANCE.
HB2412 HD1	RELATING TO TRAUMA-INFORMED EDUCATION.
HB2426 HD1	RELATING TO ATHLETICS.
HB2430 HD1	RELATING TO FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS.
HB2456 HD1	RELATING TO ELECTRONIC SMOKING PRODUCTS.
HB2457 HD2	RELATING TO THE YOUTH VAPING EPIDEMIC.
HB2466 HD2	RELATING TO CAPITAL DISTRICT BUILDINGS.
HB2468	RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.
HB2475 HD1	RELATING TO CARGO CARRIERS.
HB2492 HD2	RELATING TO HYDROFLUOROCARBONS.
HB2493	RELATING TO CARBON EMISSIONS REDUCTION.
HB2508 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB2509 HD1	RELATING TO SCHOOLS.
HB2510 HD1	RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
HB2511 HD1	RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.
HB2512 HD1	RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
HB2522 HD1	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB2524	RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
HB2525 HD1	RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.
HB2527 HD1	RELATING TO THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT.
HB2530 HD1	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
HB2541	RELATING TO HELPING WORKING FAMILIES.
HB2542	RELATING TO LAND DEVELOPMENT.
HB2543	RELATING TO ACCESS TO LEARNING.
HB2544	RELATING TO A SCHOOL FACILITIES AGENCY.
HB2554	RELATING TO TEACHER EDUCATION.
HB2555 HD1	RELATING TO THE NA WAI EHA WATERSHED.
HB2556 HD1	RELATING TO VEHICLES.
HB2557	RELATING TO COUNTIES.
HB2566 HD1	RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.
HB2568 HD1	RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
HB2573	RELATING TO SEX TRAFFICKING.
HB2590 HD2	RELATING TO AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES.
HB2603 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB2623	RELATING TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS.
HB2625	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB2694 HD1	MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION.
HB2695 HD1	RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.
HB2696	RELATING TO TEACHER COMPENSATION.
HB2697 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB2698 HD1	RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION WASTE.
HB2699 HD2	RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
HB2706 HD1	RELATING TO THE DONATION OF FOOD.
HB2707 HD2	RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.
HB2709 HD1	RELATING TO THE UNIFORM PROBATE CODE.
HB2710	RELATING TO PROTECTIVE ORDERS.
HB2713 HD1	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB2715 HD1	RELATING TO RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY GRANTS.
HB2716 HD1	RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB2718 HD1	RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION.
HB2719	RELATING TO GREEN FEES.
HB2720 HD1	RELATING TO GENDER EQUITY.
HB2722 HD1	RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
HB2740 HD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
HB2751 HD1	RELATING TO FINANCIAL HARDSHIP.
HB2752 HD1	RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
HB2753 HD1	RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
HCR34	REQUESTING THAT THE WALL STREET JOURNAL INCLUDE HAWAIIAN AIRLINES IN THE NEWSPAPER'S FUTURE RANKINGS OF THE BEST AND WORST AIRLINES IN THE UNITED STATES.
HCR44	CONVENING A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TASK FORCE TO DETERMINE COHERENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE TIMELY ADMISSION OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PATIENTS TO THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL AS NON-FORENSIC PATIENTS.
HCR45	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE REIMPLEMENTATION OF ADULT DENTAL BENEFITS FOR HAWAII RESIDENTS WHO ARE MEDICAID ENROLLEES.
HR17	RECOGNIZING JAMES T. FUNAKI, ESQ. FOR HIS EXEMPLARY CAREER AND EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE STATE OF HAWAII.
HR18	REQUESTING THAT THE WALL STREET JOURNAL INCLUDE HAWAIIAN AIRLINES IN THE NEWSPAPER'S FUTURE RANKINGS OF THE BEST AND WORST AIRLINES IN THE UNITED STATES.
HR29	CONVENING A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TASK FORCE TO DETERMINE COHERENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE TIMELY ADMISSION OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PATIENTS TO THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL AS NON-FORENSIC PATIENTS.
HR30	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE REIMPLEMENTATION OF ADULT DENTAL BENEFITS FOR HAWAII RESIDENTS WHO ARE MEDICAID ENROLLEES.

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April 17, 2019

Legislature Provides $2.3M in Support for Community College Students

In recent years, paying for a college education has become too expensive for many people, and students who are at an economic disadvantage are disproportionately affected. To offset costs for tuition and basic needs, state lawmakers have passed two bills appropriating more than $2.3 million in state funds to help our young people achieve their dream of a college degree.
The first bill is SB316 SD2 HD2 - Hawaii Community College Promise Program.

This bill provides $1.4 million ($700,000 for each of the next two fiscal years) to cover community college tuition for eligible students once all other federal aid and public and private scholarships are exhausted. The bill also requires the University of Hawaii to collect data on how well the Promise Program directly increases the likelihood that a recipient attends college and completes a degree program.

Rep. Justin H. Woodson (Kahului, Pu'unene, Old Sand Hills, Maui Lani), Chair of the House Lower & Higher Education Committee, said the Hawai'i Promise Program has helped more than 1,500 community college students since it began in 2017.

"The Legislature wants to ensure that as much of these funds as possible go to students who may not otherwise have attended college, and that the scholarship is effective in helping students complete a degree program," said Rep. Woodson. "If you want to invest in yourself, then we at the Legislature want to invest in you."

The second bill is SB50 SD2 HD1 - Hawai'i Nutrition Employment and Training Program (HINET).
This bill appropriates $910,000 ($455,000 for each of the next two fiscal years) to continue the HINET program and hire seven full-time instructional and student support positions. HINET is a workforce and education training program offered to students who receive or are eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and are enrolled at least part-time at a UH community college in an approved program. HINET helps students cover the cost of food, transportation, books, and necessary tools. HINET staff work with students one-on-one to address their needs and goals, and match them with training.

Sen. Donna Mercado Kim (Kapalama, 'Alewa, Kalihi Valley, Ft. Shafter, Moanalua Gardens & Valley, portions of Halawa and 'Aiea) said the HINET program began in 2015 and is a partnership between the state Department of Human Services and the University of Hawaii's community colleges.

"These bills attest to the Legislature's focus on education and the future by not only helping our students with their tuition, but by helping them not have to worry if they are going to be able to feed themselves, if they are going to be able to afford their textbooks, and how they are going to get to campus on time," said Kim, chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee. "These two measures work together to bring support the whole student so they can be successful in achieving their educational dreams."

Bernadette Garrett, who will soon graduate from Windward Community College, said the HINET program's support has changed her life.

"I'm so thankful. This program helped me be able to choose education over just working. To pay for my textbooks and other needs," Garrett said. "The HINET program gave me the motivation and confidence to ensure that as a first-generation Native Hawaiian college student I can continue on the path that my kupuna, my mother, set out for me."

Rep. Woodson said statistics from the HINET Program found that 72% of the participants returned for their next academic year, compared to 54% of all UH community college students.

"About 58% of the participants are Native Hawaiian," said Woodson. "As of February, the program has had 543 enrollees and more than 200 University of Hawai?i Community College students are receiving assistance. About 140 enrollees completed a two-year program and are employed or transferred to a four-year campus."

Both bills now advance to Governor David Ige for approval or veto.

July 12, 2018

Rep. Woodson Supports Kahului Civic Center Mixed-Use Project

Representative Justin H. Woodson of Maui says the recent approval of the Kahului Civic Center Mixed-Use Project and multi-family rental housing units by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation Board of Directors is a positive move toward providing more affordable housing.

"This is a good first step to provide much needed affordable housing in Central Maui," said Rep. Woodson whose district covers Kahului, Puunene, Old Sand Hills and Maui Lani. "I greatly support the Board's approval and look forward to working with governmental agencies to bring more affordable for sale and rental units back to Maui."

The HHFDC has approved a Memorandum of Understanding, ground lease, Right-of-Entry, and budget for the Kahului Civic Center project, which includes a new Maui Bus hub and affordable rental housing units in Central Maui.

Earlier this year the legislature approved $2.5 million for the plans, land acquisition, design, and construction for the project. The project will include the Maui Bus hub which will replace the current transit hub at Queen Kaahumanu Center. The Maui Department of Transportation is required to vacate the current hub by Jan. 31, 2020.

The Board also approved $1.5 million from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Funds to be used for multi-family affordable rental housing units for families at or below 60% of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development median income.

March 29, 2017

House approves $31.2 million for Central Maui CIP

Rep. Woodson and Maui delegation spearhead coordinated effort for Valley Isle initiatives; Woodson's UH Promise Program bill moves to the Senate

Honolulu, Hawaii - As part of the current state budget proposal, the House approved $31.2 million for capital improvement projects for Kahului Elementary School, Maui Waena Intermediate School, Kahului Airport, and Kahului Harbor.

"The Maui delegation and I worked hard to gradually upgrade and improve facilities throughout Central Maui," said Representative Justin Woodson (Kahului, Pu'unene, Old Sand Hills, Maui Lani). "We're making good progress thus far."

Among the appropriations, about $1.5 million will go to the two remaining District 9 schools in need of air conditioning units - Kahului Elementary School and Maui Waena Intermediate School. "These funds will bring us closer to our heat abatement goals here in Maui," said Woodson.

Nearly $29.6 million will go toward renovations at Kahului Airport. The funds are designated for holdroom and gate construction and improvements.

"The updated facilities will enhance everyone's experiences using the airport and hopefully, encourage return visitors," said Woodson. An additional $150,000 in funding was also provided for the purchase of a portable bathroom complex for Kahului Harbor.

Kahului Elementary School Plans and designs for air conditioning units; ground and site improvements; equipment and appurtenances. $700,000 Maui Waena Intermedia School Plans and designs for air conditioning units; ground and site improvements; equipment and appurtenances. 800,000 Kahului Airport Design and construction for holdroom and gate improvements and other related improvements. 29,573,000 Kahului Harbor Equipment for the purchase of a large portable bathroom complex to service the harbor. 150,000 TOTAL $31,223,000

In addition to CIP funding, on March 9, the House of Representatives crossed over House Bill (HB) 1594, the Hawaii Promise Program, to the Senate. Woodson introduced the bill, which received the support of all 51 representatives.

The Hawaii Promise Program would help students who qualify to have their remaining unmet financial aid paid through state funds, allowing them to attend college for free.

While David Governor Ige, in his State of the State address, announced that he would support a program to provide two years of free tuition, HB 1594 would extend the support to four years.

"There is no better promise we can make to our young people than that they will get the chance to receive career or technical training and education," said Woodson. "Giving students a helping hand through financial aid is one of the most important bills the legislature can pass this session."

July 1, 2013

MAUI LAWMAKERS PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC SIGNING OF BILL

Wailea, Maui - Joined by a delegation of Maui lawmakers and community groups, Governor Abercrombie this morning signed into law House Bill 1424, which authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to utilize an appropriation of $20 million for the purchase and acquisition of land parcels at Lipoa Point.

Maui House legislators participating in the public signing ceremony today included Speaker Joseph M. Souki, Representatives Angus McKelvey, Mele Carroll, Kaniela Ing, and Justin Woodson.

Other measures signed into law this morning include:

SB498 which appropriates $600,000 for the establishment of a Maalaea-based special emergency medical response vehicle unit to service the island of Maui on a twenty-four hour, seven-days a week basis. This will supplement the two ambulances already servicing Maui Island and will directly impact the health of Maui residents for the better.

SB1412 shall require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to accommodate native Hawaiian canoes for cultural and education purposes at small boat harbors across the State.

HB1328 will increase the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission's purchasing flexibility by making permanent the exemption for the procurement of food or fuel products.

June 21, 2013

Capital Improvement Projects: Central Maui Middle Schools receive $500,000

Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of more than $134.7 million for capital improvement projects (CIPs), identified by members of the state Legislature, that will improve Hawaii�s public school facilities while enhancing economic conditions.

"It gives me great satisfaction to share with you that my Administration is releasing the following CIP funds for work in your District: $500,000 has been allocated to Central Maui Middle Schools, Maui." Governor Abercrombie said. "The improvements are an investment in our keiki and our economy. Capital improvement projects like these across the state are contributing to Hawaii�s strong economy and our improved state unemployment rate, which declined to 4.7 percent in May.�

Funds for Central Maui Middle Schools will be used to implement planning for a new school that will accommodate the population growth in Central Maui. According to the Department of Education, schools in the area are already over capacity.

As a condition for developing a housing project in Central Maui, the developer has set aside space for this new school (no funds to purchase land will be needed).

June 20, 2013

Capital Improvement Projects: Kahului Airport and Kahului Harbor

Throughout the 2013 Legislative Session Representative Justin Woodson has worked diligently for the people of Maui. As a member of the Finance Committee, Representative Woodson was able to help secure funding for the development of Maui's two most imperative forms of freight transportation, the Kahului Airport and the Kahului Harbor. He was also able to assist in receiving the Department of Transportation's full request of $50 Million dollars for the Kahului Airport and $6 Million dollars for the Kahului Harbor.

These funds will be used for the Kahului Airport for land acquisition and much needed renovations. Kahului Airport experiences over 5.3 million passenger arrivals and departures a year. With such a large influx of visitors and Kamaaiana traveling interisland, development is essential for the continued operation of the facility. The most prominent improvement the airport is expected to receive will be a secondary access road from Hana Highway that will bring drivers directly to the terminal. The land acquisition will also provide room to develop rental car facilities.

Kahului Harbor is one of ten commercial harbors within the State of Hawaii. It is Maui's only deep draft commercial harbor and is the third busiest in the state system. Most goods used by Maui residents and visitors arrive through the Kahului Harbor. The Department of Transportation projects that due to limited land capacity the Harbor will not be able to keep up with the demand of goods necessary. In light of this information and ongoing communication between Representative Justin Woodson and the Department of Transportation, the 2013 Legislature found it necessary to appropriate funds in the amount of $6 million dollars. These funds will be used for improvements to provide safer and more efficient operations at Kahului harbor.

Hawaii State Legislature