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Understand the process.
Use your voice.
Shape the future.
If you’ve ever felt confused by all the Capitol lingo—don’t worry. You’re not alone. This page is here to help you make sense of it all and show you how to take real action on the issues you care about.
From tracking bills to testifying like a pro, we’ve got the tools to help you show up, speak out, and shape Hawaiʻi’s climate future.
Whether you’re looking for something specific—or just want the down-low crunch—here’s your in-house guide to using your civic power. Skip around, click what you need, and dive in.
👇 Quick Navigation (Linked!)
Your voice, your power—let’s put it to work.
how to track a bill
1️⃣ Find the Bill
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Go to capitol.hawaii.gov
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In the top-right corner, use the search box:
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Choose “Keyword” to search the full bill text
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Or use “Reports and Lists” to search bill titles/descriptions
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2️⃣ View the Bill’s Status Page
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Click the bill number (e.g., HB123 or SB456) from search results or reports.
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The status page shows:
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Latest actions (hearings, votes, amendments)
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Links to the full text and status updates
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(This is also where you can see committee reports, public testimony, and submit testimony!)
3️⃣ Use “Reports and Lists” for Organized Views
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On capitol.hawaii.gov, go to → “Reports and Lists”
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Here you can:
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Search by subject
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Browse bills by introduction
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Check which bills survive each deadline (like crossover)
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how to submit testimony
🎤 First, Know Your Options: How to Submit Testimony
Before you dive into writing, it’s important to know that testimony can be submitted in more than one way—and all of them count. Choose the method that works best for you:
✅ 1. Written Testimony (most common)
Submit your statement online through the Hawaiʻi State Capitol website. You can upload a file or type it directly into the form.
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Submit here: 👉 capitol.hawaii.gov
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Tip: You must create a free account to submit testimony.
🧑💻 2. Live Zoom Testimony
Prefer to speak your words? You can sign up to testify live over Zoom. This is great if you want lawmakers to see and hear you.
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On the hearing notice, click “Submit Testimony” and select Zoom
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You’ll get an email with the Zoom link and instructions
🏛️ 3. In-Person Testimony at the Capitol
Want to show up in person? You can go to the Hawai‘i State Capitol and testify in front of the committee.
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You still need to sign up ahead of time on the website
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Dress respectfully and bring a printed copy just in case
Use this format to write your own testimony in support or opposition of a bill. Feel free to make it your own—your voice is powerful!
Subject Line / Title
Testimony in [Support/Opposition] of [Bill Number] – [Short Title or Topic]
(Example: Testimony in Support of HB123 – Clean Energy in Schools)
Aloha Chair [Last Name], Vice Chair [Last Name], and Members of the Committee,
My name is [Your Full Name], and I am a [student / youth / community member] from [School / Organization / Neighborhood / Island].
I am writing to express my [support / opposition] for [Bill Number], which would [1–2 sentence summary of the bill].
Why This Matters to Me
I care about this issue because [share a personal story,
lived experience, or reason you care—this part makes your
testimony powerful].
Example: “As a student who walks to school in extreme
heat, I’ve seen how the climate crisis is already affecting
our everyday lives.”
Example: “As part of a youth-led sustainability club,
we’ve worked on energy conservation at our school
and this bill would take that work even further.”
What I’m Asking
I respectfully ask that you [pass / hold / amend] this bill.
It’s a step toward building a more
[resilient / equitable / sustainable / healthy / safe] future for
Hawai‘i’s youth.
Mahalo for your time and leadership.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Grade / School or Organization (optional)]
[Island or District (optional)]
[Email (optional)]
contacting your legislator
You don’t need fancy words to speak up—Hawai‘i lawmakers want to hear from their communities, especially youth. Here’s how to email, call, or schedule a meeting to make your voice heard.
🔍 Find Your Legislator
Use the Hawaiʻi State Capitol’s tools to find out who represents you:
👉 Find Your Legislator Here
✉️ Emailing Your Legislator
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Start with aloha: “Aloha Representative [Name],” or “Aloha Senator [Name],”
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Say who you are: “My name is [Your Name], and I’m a student at [Your School or in [Your District]].”
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State your request: “I’m writing to ask for your support of HB123, a bill that would help schools switch to clean energy.”
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Explain why it matters to you: Keep it short and personal.
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Say thanks: “Mahalo for your time and service.”
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Include your contact info in case they want to follow up.
👉 [Script + Email Writing Tips] (link your resource)
🤝 Meeting with Your Legislator
Want a longer convo? Ask for a meeting in person or via Zoom.
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Email or call their office:
“Aloha, I’m a student from your district and would love to meet briefly to talk about [issue or bill]. Would you be available during session?”
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Be polite and flexible. They’re busy, especially during the legislative session.
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If you meet:
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Dress neatly
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Bring notes or talking points
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Don’t worry about being perfect—they want to hear from you
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Bring a friend, teacher, or org rep for support
📞 Calling Your Legislator
Calling might feel scary, but it's fast, direct, and powerful. Here’s a quick script:
Aloha, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a student from [Your School/Community].
I’m calling to ask [Representative/Senator] [Last Name] to support [Bill Number], which [short description—like “helps expand clean energy in public schools”].
This issue is important to me because [1–2 sentences]. Mahalo for your time!
Tips for calling:
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Call during business hours (M–F, 8am–5pm).
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You’ll likely speak with a staff member—that’s okay! They pass messages on.
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Keep it short, polite, and clear.
legislative lingo
Bill
A proposed law. Anyone can write a bill, but only legislators can introduce it. If it passes through the House and Senate and gets signed by the Governor, it becomes law.
Resolution
Not a law, but an official statement or request from the Legislature. Resolutions can urge action, declare positions, or form task forces (like the Keiki Caucus ones!).
Testimony
Your chance to speak up! Written or spoken input from the public about a bill. You can submit it online, show up at the Capitol, or Zoom in from home.
Committee
Small groups of legislators who specialize in certain topics (like Energy, Education, or Health). Bills get assigned to committees that match their subject area
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Hearing
A public meeting where a committee discusses a bill and hears testimony. This is your moment to show support or raise concerns.
Chair / Vice Chair
The Chair leads the committee and decides what bills get heard. The Vice Chair backs them up. If a Chair doesn’t schedule your bill? It’s stuck.
Floor Vote
When the full House or Senate votes on a bill—not just the committee. A big step toward becoming law.
Amendment
A change made to a bill. Sometimes minor (a date tweak), sometimes major (a total rewrite). Amendments can be made at many stages.
Governor’s Desk
The final stop. If the Governor signs the bill, it becomes law. If they veto it, it dies—unless the Legislature overrides the veto with enough votes.
Effective Date
The date the law officially goes into action. Sometimes immediate, sometimes months later.
Session
The period (January to May) when the Legislature is officially meeting and passing laws. It's go time for advocacy!
Advocacy
Speaking up and organizing around issues you care about. Youth advocacy can change minds and laws.