b'2025 State ReportPost WPMAEXPOHEMAcontinued Improve disaster preparedness and enhance planning efforts toincrease resiliencyparticularly for wildfires.Pursue commitment to safeguarding reproductive rights andlegal immigration rights for all residents of Hawaii. Environmental Sustainability and Infrastructure Continue to prioritize improving environmental sustainabilitythrough the increased use of recycled water and improvements in water infrastructure, while also improving the Commission on Water Resource Management for greater efficiency. Implement transportation changes following legal settlements. Support climate resilient projects. Infrastructure Promote renewable energy transmission.Pursue proactive solutions to address deferred maintenanceContinue evaluating measures that address the issue of illegaland explore how the state can better assist residents with neces-fireworks, focusing on enhanced enforcement and preventivesary upgrades. strategies to safeguard public safety.Economic DevelopmentAgricultural Innovation and other Revenue StreamsFacilitate quality job opportunities in Hawaii to retainContinue to work on strengthening processes focused on ag- local talent in Hawaii and ensure economic opportunities for future generations. ricultural innovation, along with exploring alternative revenue streams for the state.Expand training and internship programs to prepare students Consider measures that aim to purchase agricultural land forfor public and private sector career paths.development; and increase support for food innovation centers Examine strategies to recruit and retain public workers in theto enhance production capabilities. State of Hawaii as we face workforce retirements and prepareSupport the responsible legalization of recreational for upcoming vacancies.marijuana, with a focus on addressing any impacts onEnsure that working families have access to affordableHawaiis communities.childcare, as it directly impacts the cost of living and the ability In addition, the House Majority Caucus, comprised of 42 of parents to join and remain in the workforce.House Democrats, summarized their 2025 legislative work Public Safetyby addressing the cost of living and improving the qualityExplore a comprehensive approach to public safety, balancing of life for Hawaiis residents, with an emphasis on housing, homelessness, infrastructure, economic development, publicinvestments in law enforcement with efforts to rehabilitate and safety, agriculture, and biosecurity. They outlined their support individuals. legislative priorities as follows: Agriculture/BiosecurityHousing Pursue proactive measures to strengthen the defense of ourIncrease affordable housing options for low- and moderate- lands and shores, preserve our natural habitat, and ensure the well-being of our state.income families, including building more workforce housing.Revisit residential development requirements and continueAs of the date of this newsletter, the Hawaii State Legislatureis in its final stages with key legislation being debated in confer-oversight of the $600 million allocated through Act 279 toence committees that consist of members from both the House deliver housing for native Hawaiians on the waitlist. Our goal isand Senate. While many of the priorities identified above remain to ensure these funds are maximized to benefit as many nativein consideration, the early failure of recreational marijuana to Hawaiian families as possible. advance in the House, given the increase in members with aHomelessness progressive agenda that were elected in 2024, was a surprise. Pursue expansion of access to mental health services, Additionally, to offset the reduction of federal funds, other items that remain of interest are the possibility of legalizing on-line enhance crisis response efforts, and provide housing gaming (HB1308) as well as the effort to eliminate a number of solutions for our most vulnerable populations.tax credits (HB1369 HD1 SD1), both that are projected to in-Bolster investments in kauhale and supportive housing.crease State revenues for a number of the initiatives listed above.44 www.wpma.com / Spring 2025'