The state House and Senate are working closely with Gov. Josh Green to help Hawaii families this legislative session, but when it comes to certain bills and cabinet picks, there have been some disagreements.
“We’re in agreement about generally who we’ve identified that we’d like to get assistance to, we’re in agreement about wanting to invest more in affordable housing,” Senate President Ron Kouchi said Wednesday during a livestream interview. “But the devil always is in the details.”
A rift resulted from Green’s pick of Ikaika Anderson as Department of Hawaiian Homelands director. Anderson ultimately withdrew his bid after an intense back-and-forth at both the Senate Hawaiian Affairs and the Ways and Means committees.
“It was like a Valentine’s massacre on Ikaika,” Green said last week. “We appreciate his commitment to trying to serve, but I also respect the prerogative of the Senate. If they think someone is not up to the job, then we move on.”
Anderson was just the first member of Green’s cabinet to face a confirmation hearing.
“We’re moving through them,” Kouchi said. “While the governor may have wanted them done yesterday, the decisions that the Senate is going to make could conceivably carry on for the next eight years, certainly four, so we take that role seriously, and we’ll continue to vet the members of the cabinet and work through them, but we’re trying to get them out in a timely fashion.”
After Anderson bowed out, Green nominated former director Kali Watson to reprise his role at DHHL. Katie Ducatt was nominated as the deputy.
Anderson, whom the governor appointed prior to the 2023 legislative session, will remain in the seat until Watson is confirmed and sworn in, or at the end of the current session.
Both Kouchi and House Speaker Scott Saiki seem to favor Watson as a potential director.
“I think Kali Watson is going to be a good director,” Saiki said Wednesday during the same livestream. “He’s previously served as director, and I think he comes in with some ideas on how to spread development and maximize use of the $600 million appropriation.”
The House, Senate and governor also are working together on how to roll out a proposed “Green Fee” — a $50 charge to all visitors and tourists to supplement sustainability efforts and combat climate change in Hawaii.
According to bills in both the House and Senate, implementation would be left up to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Several methods for collecting the fees have been explored and range from having state parks responsible for the collection, to creating an online application similar to the Safe Travels program that was launched during COVID-19.
“Both the House and Senate agree that we need to assess a fee on visitors. The question is, how do you levy the fee?” Saiki said.
“Most people expect there’s going to be some sort of app system to make payments, so I think that’s going to be an integral piece of the legislation.”
Even with certain amendments made to the bills, such as the elimination of references to the 2030 Aloha+ Challenge program, Green indicated he would sign the Green Fee into law if it makes it through.
“We took a poll, and 63% of people favor a straight-up $50 fee coming into the state so people can use state parks, beaches and trails,” Green said. “It’s a very good concept, but I’m happy with whatever the Legislature gives us. I’ll sign it into law as long as it actually has some effect.”
Both Saiki and Kouchi also commented on pending legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana, which Green supported during his campaign.
While Kouchi noted the bill is likely to pass a vote on the Senate Floor on Tuesday, Saiki favored postponing the effort.
“There’s a number of bills that were introduced in the House to legalize recreational marijuana,” Saiki said.
“I’ve informed the chairs of those committees that we should wait and take a look at this over the summer and come back with a bill that’s comprehensive and addresses the concerns that are always raised about marijuana use in Hawaii, including the federal restrictions and law enforcement concerns.”
Despite disagreements on certain legislative details and cabinet picks, Green was optimistic 2023 will continue to be a productive legislative session.
“I really have a very good relationship with Kouchi and Saiki,” Green said. “We meet all the time, and we’re working through these problems. It’s just that you’re going to have a speed bump from time to time.”
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com.