Housing, cost of living, insurance market stabilization top legislative session agenda

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Bills focused on adding affordable housing and lowering the cost of living remain top priorities this session, with new concerns about skyrocketing costs of condo and homeowner insurance.

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“We know that so many folks have been hit so hard from the rising premiums so I think the legislature is going to investigate setting up some sort of a stabilization fund this of course is a very complex issue but I do expect them to get started on that,“ said HNN political analyst Colin Moore, who expects lawmakers to also push for workforce housing programs to help stem an exodus of Hawaii workers.

A recent Aloha United Way report shows 41% of Hawaii residents are barely scraping by and 37% are thinking of moving.

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Returning this session — proposals to charge tourists a green fee, legalize recreational marijuana, and promote government transparency and ethics reform.

In light of the fatal New Year’s fireworks explosion, lawmakers will want to increase enforcement and penalties for illegal fireworks.

Moore says Kauai representative Nadine Nakamura will have her work cut out for her in her first year as House Speaker .

“I expect her to really focus on housing I mean particularly housing for those Alice families people who fall between really the programs that support low income families and and wealthier folks,” he said. “She also will have a little bit of a challenge balancing I think all of the different interests in the house. Last election there were a number of very strong progressives elected as well as more Republicans. So the house has become a little more polarized and I think that’s going to be a challenge for the speaker.”

Polarization on the national level could also pose challenges to the state under the incoming Trump administration.

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“First, Hawaii might take a strong stand against some of the trump administration planned restrictions on on immigration on reproductive rights but also they’re already planning for potentially reduced federal support for programs like Medicaid. or even the federal education grants that our schools depend on.”

Finally, the continued rebuilding efforts in Maui will remain a priority.

“There’s a number of lingering legal questions about the $4 billion dollar proposed settlement that’s at the Supreme Court right now. And so the state has pledged $800,000-$1,000,000 to support that settlement if that changes. And if the depending on how the court rules that could that could change the dynamic of the legislature.”

The 2025 legislative session opens Jan. 15, Wednesday, at 10 a.m. at the State Capitol.

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