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Senate minority’s opening criticizes outside developers, raises allegation and urges oversight
Summary
Senate minority member Brenton Owa used opening remarks to criticize media and outside development influence, described a personal $35,000 settlement in context, said the attorney general is preparing an investigation into an alleged incident involving a lawmaker, and urged policy focus on housing, foreign ownership limits and consumer protections.
Senate minority member Brenton Owa delivered the minority opening speech on the Senate floor, criticizing misinformation in media accounts and alleging that outside developers and special interests have driven up housing costs. Owa said a recent news account and public discussion had prompted an investigation: "the news yesterday, the attorney general said they're gonna investigate," he said, urging the chamber to let official processes proceed.
Owa described a personal settlement and used it to frame a point about misinformation and oversight: "The 35 k I took came from 3 checks. They're hanging on my office door from a settlement with my former employer," he told colleagues. He also referenced a resolution asking the Senate to investigate an alleged incident and noted a petition on file requesting an investigative committee into an alleged 2022 incident involving a legislator.
Beyond the allegation and inquiry references, Owa urged policy action on housing and property ownership, calling for limits on foreign ownership and highlighting high home and lease costs for Native Hawaiians. He criticized automated enforcement systems and the rising cost of renewable energy as contributing to household pressure.
Owa closed by urging unity across party lines and emphasizing the power of community organizing, referencing past protests on Mauna Kea as an example of collective action achieving results.
