Senator Lorraine Inouye

06/06/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘂 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 - documentary film

The Hawaii State Department of Transportation released this 30 minute video documentary about the community of Hakalau, its history, culture, lifestyle and its future. Part of that future will be the upgrade of the Hakalau stream bridge along highway 19. Check it out on YouTube.

30 min video by Nāʻālehu Anthony. The goal of the documentary is to...

05/09/2026

The Hilo High School Vikings Girls Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Championship Water Polo Team visited the Senate and presented me with lei, oli, and mele before today's (May 8) last day of session started. They also presented me with lei and we all sang the Vikings Alma Mater. The team is in Honolulu to compete in the State Water Polo Championship tournament at Kamehameha Schools on Kapalama Heights.

05/08/2026

The legislature is coming to a close today after a week of varied conference committee and budget hearings to pass legislation in final form. As Final Reading day approached this past Wednesday, more than 200 bills passed out of conference during the two week period.

05/08/2026

The Senate Water, Land, Culture and Arts Committee advised and consented to Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority nominees Richard Matsuda and Noe Noe Wong-Wilson at the April 23 committee hearing.

04/17/2026

The Senate Water Land Culture and Arts Committee the appointments of a dozen nominees to various boards and commissions including the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR), and the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) among others.

04/15/2026

It was Tourism Day at the Hawai‘i State Capitol on Friday, April 10. Senator Inouye visited several of the vendor and industry tables set up on the fourth floor of the State Capitol.

04/10/2026

The Hawai‘i State Senate honored and congratulated University of Hawai‘i Women’s Basketball Coach Laura Beeman on her recently announced retirement from the program. She received an honorary certificate at the Senate Session of April 8, 2026. While at the University of Hawai‘i, she coached the women’s basketball team to several post season tournaments and four Division 1 women’s titles. Over her 15 seasons at the helm of the women’s basketball program she compiled a cumulative win-loss record of 244-180 with a 160-79 record for conference games.

04/10/2026

The Hawaiʻi State Legislature will remain open on Friday, April 10, 2026, to meet legislative deadlines and perform essential functions.
The Senate and House floor sessions in their respective chambers for Session Day #43 will convene as scheduled.

April 10 marks the Second Decking Deadline. While the Legislature remains open, members of the public are encouraged to participate virtually by viewing floor sessions and committee hearings live at the following links:

State Senate (Third Reading bills today Senate chamber 1130 AM)
https://www.youtube.com/live/Df-VaSFhNcM?si=QwsVBdwOlI_8FrlP

Hawaii State Legislature Home Page
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/

Legislative leadership urges the public to stay safe and remain alert as weather conditions develop. State emergency preparedness officials encourage residents and visitors to monitor official sources for updates and instructions.

The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) provides guidance on preparing for severe weather and disasters at ready.hawaii.gov. Under the state Department of Defense, HIEMA also offers links for residents to sign up for alerts from their respective county emergency management agencies at:

https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/get-ready/


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04/10/2026

My Legislative Assistant Alliya M. Gabriel delivered the “Moment of Contemplation” before the start of the Senate’s floor session on Thursday, April 2. “There will never be a perfect moment...”

You can listen to her thoughtful words by viewing the video that is part of this post.

The Hawaii State Senate supports a moment of contemplation prior to the start of each session day to allow its members or a designated guest to solemnize the work of the Senate and its deliberations.

04/10/2026

Kilauea volcano is erupting but the National Park Service has closed the area due to falling tephra, some as big as softballs.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is temporarily closed at the park entrance due hazardous volcanic material (tephra) and gas associated with eruptive episode 44.

UPDATE: Rangers evacuating the area reported that tephra chunks the size of softballs were falling at Kīlauea Overlook at Kilauea Military Camp around noon and are continuing. USGS Volcanoes has raised the alert level to RED.

Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency has closed Highway 11 between Nahelenani Street in Volcano and mile marker 40. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

Overnight guests of Volcano House and Kilauea Military Camp will be allowed to enter the park and shelter in place, as will staff.

The Kahuku Unit is open but can only be accessed past mile marker 40.

The eruption began at 11:10 am HST on Thursday, April 9. Similar southerly wind conditions during episodes 41 and 43 coupled with high fountains deposited massive amounts of tephra (volcanic rock fragments, ash and glassy strands, or Pele hair) all over the summit and surrounding community and forced closure of the park. Gas levels are unhealthy at summit areas.

USGS screenshot from the V3 camera showing lava fountain and erupt from the north vent.