An update on the 2026 state legislative session

We hope you and your ohana are doing ok after the terrible storms that have hit our state. We have been busy at the legislature and wanted to give you an update on where things stand.

February 25 marked Hawai’i’s first Heart at the Capitol Day, a meaningful and energizing day where advocates gather at the Capitol to meet with lawmakers and ask for their support on priority issues. Volunteers came together to share powerful stories connecting tobacco exposure and food insecurity to the real experiences of families across our islands, helping elevate conversations around prevention, health equity, and protecting our keiki.

This strong advocacy helped our priority bills (returning local decision-making authority on tobacco issues to the counties, free school meals, and paid family medical leave) pass the House, but sadly they did not make it through committee in the Senate.

With the end of the legislative session just around the corner we are closely monitoring the budget negotiations to ensure funding is not cut for important food security programs (Da Bux and SUN Bucks) and tobacco prevention and cessation programs. As of right now funding for these programs does not appear to be on the chopping block but there is still a lot that could happen. The next step in the budget process is conference committee, where members from the Senate and House will negotiate the budget.

With the recent storm damage Hawaii has a lot of rebuilding ahead of us and state lawmakers will have to make some tough financial decisions.