This Week in Hawai'i
from Hawaii Family Forum, Feb 20, 2026
SB 3024 Allows Boys in Girls Bathrooms
What the bill does: SB3024 makes significant changes to how sex-based discrimination is addressed in our public schools and at the University of Hawai‘i. The bill expands protections to include gender identity and sexual orientation, requires access to bathrooms and locker rooms based on gender identity, sets new investigation rules, mandates employee reporting, and increases the potential for lawsuits against schools. We do support the portions of the bill that protect pregnant and parenting students and ensure they are treated fairly. However, because these positive provisions are bundled together with broader policy changes that raise concerns about privacy, parental rights, fairness, and financial impact on schools, we cannot support the bill as written.
The hearing drew 39 testifiers: 24 in support, 13 in opposition and 2 with comments
Supporters emphasized stronger protections for LGBTQ+ and pregnant students and alignment with evolving Title IX standards. Organizations testifying in support included the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Education Caucus, Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission, Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network (HCAN) Speaks!, Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, AAUW of Hawaiʻi, PFLAG Oʻahu, HOKU PAC, Visibility Brigade Honolulu, Every Voice Hawaiʻi, and Indivisible Leeward Oahu.
HFF Position:
Hawaii Family Forum opposes SB3024; however, we chose not to submit testimony at this initial hearing. Given the breadth and complexity of the bill, we believed it was prudent to allow time for additional legal review and to assess how key stakeholders and organizations positioned themselves. This early hearing provided valuable insight into the coalition supporting the measure and the arguments being advanced. We will continue monitoring the bill closely and will determine the most effective time and manner for engagement as it moves through the legislative process.
Current Status:
The bill passed the Senate Education Committee on 02/18/26 and then passed Second Reading today (02/20/26). The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. We appreciate the only NO VOTE of Senator DeCorte!
The votes in EDU were as follows:
2/18/2026 - S
2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Hashimoto
1 No(es): Senator(s) DeCorte
2 Excused: Senator(s) Kidani, Fukunaga.
Next Step: The bill will now move to a joint committee hearing of the Senate Judiciary and the Senate Ways and Means.
Marijuana Moves Forward in the Senate
GOOD NEWS: SB2421 would have legalized the personal adult use of cannabis. The joint committee of the Senate Consumer Protection and Senate Health DEFERRED this bill which is good news, however, the decision was made to focus energies on the other Senate bill (SB 3275). Hawaii Family Forum submitted testimony in OPPOSITION to SB 2421.
And now for the BAD NEWS:
SB3275 SD1 – Legalizes “Low-Dose” Recreational Cannabis
What the Bill Does:
SB3275 SD1 legalizes low-dose and low-potency cannabis for personal adult use beginning January 1, 2027. The amended version authorizes adult sale and use and allows personal cultivation at private residences. It also transfers regulatory authority to the Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation (OMCCR).
Hawaii Family Forum Position:
Hawaii Family Forum opposes SB3275. Even in its amended form, this bill moves Hawaiʻi further toward mainstream recreational marijuana use. Lower potency does not eliminate impairment risks, youth access concerns, or long-term public health consequences. Expanding availability sends a cultural message that marijuana use is benign at a time when prevention and treatment efforts should be strengthened.
Current Status:
The bill passed out of the Senate Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Health and Human Services with amendments as SB3275 SD1. We are extremely disappointed in the YES VOTES BELOW and we appreciate and send a huge mahalo out to the NO VOTES below.
The votes in committee(s) were as follows:
2/19/2026 - S
The votes in CPN were as follows:
2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Awa
1 Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) McKelvey
2 No(es): Senator(s) Fukunaga, Lamosao
2/18/2026 - S
The votes in HHS were as follows:
5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella;
The committees removed several broader provisions from the original draft, including expanded possession allowances and certain employment and custody protections. However, legalization of adult use and personal cultivation remains in the bill.
Next Step:
SB3275 SD1 now advances to the Senate Committees on Ways and Means (WAM) and Judiciary (JDC) for further consideration. We will keep you updated if action is needed.
LEGISLATIVE DEADLINES
FEB 26-MAR 4 MANDATORY 5-DAY RECESS – Hawaii’s Constitution mandates a 5 day recess between the 20th and 40th days of the regular session. Neither the House of Representatives nor the Senate convene or assemble formally in chamber on recess days. Committee hearings do take place, however.
MAR 5 SINGLE REFERRAL FILING DEADLINE (SBS) – Deadline for Senate Bills referred to a single committee to be heard and filed.
MAR 6 FIRST DECKING (BILLS) – Deadline for bills to emerge from all their committees (with committee reports filed) and be submitted to the clerk of the originating chamber. This “decking” ensures a mandatory 48-hour opportunity for final review by the chamber’s members before being asked to vote on the third reading. Note: A bill must pass three readings (votes) in each chamber before being enrolled to the Governor.
MAR 12 FIRST CROSSOVER (BILLS) – Deadline for bills to pass third reading in order to move (or “crossover”) to the other chamber. If successful, House bills are sent to the Senate and Senate bills are sent to the House for further consideration
ACROSS THE NATION
The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) modified their positions on “gender-affirming care” for minors, aligning with more recent recommendations to delay surgical interventions until adulthood, amid increasing legal and medical scrutiny, including the jury verdict in the abovementioned Varian v. Einhorn. The ASPS specifically noted the “considerable uncertainty as to the long-term efficacy” of surgical interventions. For further information, click here and here.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that federal funds will no longer be used for research involving the fetal tissue of aborted babies. The policy will apply to all NIH grants, cooperative agreements, transaction awards, research and development contracts, and the NIH Intramural Research Program. For further information, click here.
A national campaign has recently launched to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex “marriage” across the nation. The campaign, called “Greater Than,” launched by non-profit Them Before Us, focuses on the effects of same-sex “marriage” on the children of such unions. To see the website for “Greater Than,” click here. For further information, click here.
Catch Up on the Faith and Family First Podcast
Weekly Faith and Family First Update
Each week, Marcus and I sit down to talk story about what’s happening at the Capitol and how it impacts families across Hawaii. You can now listen to our weekly update as a podcast — at home, in the car, or wherever you are.
Search Faith and Family First on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Mahalo for walking this journey with us.
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Two concerning bills are moving forward in the Legislature
Two concerning bills are moving forward in the Legislature that raise serious questions about medical accountability, parental rights, and freedom of expression in Hawaiʻi.
Hearings for these bills are scheduled for Tuesday, February 24 at 2:00 p.m.
HB 1875 HD1 expands Hawaiʻi’s shield law framework, creating sweeping legal protections tied to abortion and gender-related medical interventions while limiting oversight and accountability. In other words, this bill protects doctors who perform gender-transition procedures ON MINORS and makes it harder for families to hold them accountable.
HB 1961 HD1 creates new criminal and civil penalties for broadly defined “interference” with health care facilities — language that could impact peaceful expression and community outreach. This bill creates penalties so broad that even peaceful prayer outside abortion clinics could lead to fines or jail time.
Take Action Today
Please stand with us in three simple ways:
1. Pray
Pray for wisdom, discernment, and courage for legislators as they consider these important issues.
2. Submit testimony in opposition
Click here to see the hearing notice and submit testimony. Use the talking points below to quickly submit testimony before the hearing deadline.
➡ HB1875 HD1 Talking Points (Protection of Doctors on Gender-Affirming "Care")
➡ HB1961 HD1 Talking Points (Praying outside of Planned Parenthood)
3. Contact committee members and politely ask them to VOTE NO ON HB1875 HD1 AND HB1961 HD1.