Aloha,
April was full of exciting events. My office held the 3rd Annual Food Drive Fest in support of Hawaiʻi Foodbank and the State Employees’ Food Drive. I also attended the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) West Hawaiʻi Project Lease Awards, where 390 families received leases—helping them stay in Hawaiʻi.
We also visited several Ready Keiki classrooms, including the first public preschools on Maui’s north and south shores, at Haʻikū and Kīhei Elementary Schools.
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Sylvia Luke
Lieutenant Governor
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3rd Annual Food Drive Fest
Supports Hawaiʻi Foodbank
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This month, my office hosted the third annual Food Drive Fest, bringing state employees together to collect donations that will help provide more than 4,000 meals for the Hawai‘i Foodbank. The two-day event featured local businesses and served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing issue of food insecurity.
The 26th annual State Employees’ Food Drive runs through May 9. With your support, we can work toward eliminating food insecurity in Hawaiʻi. Every donation makes a difference for our community!
Anyone can support Hawaiʻi Foodbank by donating online at hawaiifoodbank.org/state. Nonperishable food items are also being accepted in person at the Lieutenant Governor's office at the State Capitol, any Satellite City Hall or any Honolulu Fire Department station for the duration of the drive.
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Expanding Access to Preschool
for Hawaiʻi's Keiki
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I visited some of the new Ready Keiki classrooms with the area legislators to deliver backpacks to our youngest learners. These visits included Haʻikū Elementary—the first public preschool on Maui’s north shore—and Kīhei Elementary, the first on the island’s south shore.
This month, we also visited ʻĀina Haina Elementary, Kauluwela Elementary, and Mauka Lani Elementary. These new classrooms do more than support our keiki—they help strengthen our communities and give local families more reasons to stay, grow, and raise their children right here in Hawai‘i.
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ʻĀina Haina Elementary School
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Kauluwela Elementary School
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Mauka Lani Elementary School
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Historic DHHL Investment
Brings Homes to 390 Families
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Back in 2022, when I served as Finance Chair, my colleagues and I committed $600 million to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL)—the largest single investment in the department’s history.
This April, we celebrated the awarding of 390 DHHL leases in West Hawai‘i, including 368 leases in the Villages of La‘i ‘Ōpua and 22 in Kailapa. Each lease represents a foundation for families to grow, thrive, and remain rooted in Hawai‘i. It was incredibly moving to witness so many ‘ohana, some who had waited decades, finally receive a place to truly call home.
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Reflecting on My Time in the Legislature
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As the legislative session draws to a close, I find myself watching the flurry of activity with a sense of excitement and deep appreciation. Having spent more than two decades as a legislator, I know firsthand the commitment it takes to carefully examine hundreds of bills and hear testimony on the issues that shape the Hawaiʻi we know and love.
Now, in my role as Lieutenant Governor—overseeing our state’s efforts to expand preschool and high-speed internet access—I continue to look to our lawmakers to make thoughtful decisions that will have lasting impacts on our communities.
Behind every step of the legislative process is a great deal of necessary, but sometimes unseen, work by dedicated staff and support agencies. To our House and Senate members, legislative staff, and the many teams working behind the scenes—mahalo for your tireless service to the people of Hawaiʻi.
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Capitol Visitors Spotlight
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Meeting with Slovenia Minister Counselor in Washington, D.C., Marko Rancigaj.
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Supporting the YWCA Clothing Drive.
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Meeting with Japan Airlines.
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Meeting with the Alzheimer’s Association.
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Welcoming the Hawaii Construction Alliance and the Hawaii Building & Construction Trades Council.
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Castle High School students visiting the State Capitol.
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Raising awareness for suicide prevention at the Paws for Prevention Walk.
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Visiting Green Point Nurseries in Hilo.
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Attending Mayor Alameda’s State of the County Address on Hawaiʻi Island.
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Commemorating the groundbreaking for Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art.
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Seeing the variety of careers in our community at Queen Kaʻahumanu Elementary’s Community Day.
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Congratulating Dwight Takamine on becoming the Hawaiʻi Labor Relations Board Chair.
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Attending the inaugural Queer Day at the Capitol.
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Attending UH Mānoa’s Engineering Banquet to discuss engineering and sustainability.
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Celebrating Fujie Inouye’s 108th birthday. She is the oldest person living on Oʻahu!
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Honokaʻa High School students presenting the Alphabet Project to Mayor Alameda and State Librarian Stacey Aldrich.
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Attending the 13th Annual ClimbHI LEI Program to speak to students about the opportunities within Hawaiʻi’s hospitality industry.
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Hours
Monday to Friday
7:45 AM - 4:30 PM
(Except state holidays)
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Location
Hawaiʻi State Capitol,
415 South Beretania Street, 5th Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813
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