Hawaii children could see a ban on flavored nicotine products, e-bike safety regulations, a digital mental health platform and free school meals in charter schools under a package of bills introduced by the state Legislature’s keiki caucus.
“These bills reflect the ongoing collaboration and dedication between the youth, community, youth-
centered organizations and legislators to improve the lives of Hawaii’s youth,” said Sen. Karl Rhoads (D, Nuuanu-Downtown-Iwilei), one of the caucus’ “co-conveners.”
The keiki caucus introduced 15 bills in addition to bills introduced by other senators and representatives intended to also benefit Hawaii’s children, including Senate Bill 2677 that would expand free school meals to all public charter school students who qualify for reduced-price meals.
Members of the keiki caucus stood inside the Capitol rotunda on Wednesday to unveil their legislative package, which includes SB 2681 and its companion, House Bill 1563, which would give counties the power to regulate the sale of flavored vape products.
“Tobacco companies often practice intentional,
deceptive and predatory marketing tactics when marketing vape products to children, resulting in high levels of addiction,” said caucus member Sen. Brandon
Elefante (D, Aiea-Pacific
Palisades-Pearl City).
Rep. Scot Matayoshi (D, Kaneohe-Maunawili) said an addictive substance like nicotine can distract children from learning and stop their brains from developing.
Don’t miss out on what’s happening!
Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It’s FREE!
“Every year that goes by, I see another generation, another group of kids becoming addicted to nicotine, not being able to focus on school,” Matayoshi said.
The keiki caucus also wants to make riding e-bikes safer.
“We want to promote safe driving for these folks to use this as an alternative mode of transportation,” said Rep. Darius Kila (D, Nanakuli-
Maili), “because if we’re going to work to decrease our use of motor vehicles, we have to provide alternatives, such as safe electric bicycles.”
SB 2680 and HB 1564 would require all three classes of e-bikes to be labeled and identified, keep all wheels on the ground and prohibit the fastest from
being ridden on sidewalks.
The bills also would create new restrictions for other classes of “high-speed electric devices,” some of which can reach speeds above 28 mph.
High-speed electric devices would be prohibited from any public area, including bike lanes, streets and highways.
“We want to raise awareness that while they look like toys, they have more power,” said Eduardo Hernandez,
advocacy director for the
Hawaii Bicycling League. “If they’re used responsibly, they’re a real important way to reduce vehicle miles traveled and lower transportation costs for families.”
Members of the keiki caucus heard from young people that mental health issues remain a top priority.
“Studies show that as much as a third of our school children between grades 6 and 12 have suffered depression and sadness,” said Rep. Gregg Takayama (D, Waiau-Pearl City-Pacific Palisades). “So much that it has affected their activities for as much as 10 days to two weeks.”
SB 2679 and HB 1562 would propose a one-year pilot program that would offer digital mental health services all day long to increase access.
The pilot program would cost $300,000.
“It’s not intended to replace adults, parents or counselors, but perhaps channel them in the right direction,” Takayama said.
Public charter school students also would get free meals under SB 2677.
It follows last session’s Act 139 that expanded free school meals for other public school students who qualify for reduced-price lunches.
SB 2677 would expand free school meals to public charter school students who also qualify for reduced-
price meals in Hawaii so they can “receive their meals for free, regardless of their ability to pay,” according to Rep. Trish La Chica (D, Waipio-Mililani).
“If every single student, including our public charter school students, receive the same meal, then there is no stigma, there is no shame and there is no child that’s left behind,” La Chica said.
