Legislative Members

31st Legislature, 2021
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The Legislature has adjourned sine die.

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House District 3
Hawaii State Capitol
Room: 438
phone: 808-586-6120
fax: 808-586-6121
reponishi@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Member of the following committees:

Labor & Tourism

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Economic Development

Member of the following special committees:
House Select Committee on COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness

District Information
South Hilo, Waiakea Uka, Panaewa Farmlots, Kea'au, Orchidland Estates, Hawaiian Acres, Fern Acres, Eden Roc, Fern Forest, Kurtistown, Mt. View, Glenwood, Volcano, Pahala, Punalu'u, Honu'apo

Measures Introduced

	Title
HB7	RELATING TO MARIJUANA.
HB72 HD2 SD2	RELATING TO ELECTRIC FOOT SCOOTERS.
HB74	RELATING TO RESTRICTIONS ON AGRICULTURAL USES AND ACTIVITIES.
HB85	RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB86	RELATING TO LABOR.
HB87	RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS.
HB88	RELATING TO TOURISM.
HB89	RELATING TO WAGES.
HB90 HD3	RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.
HB91	RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
HB92	RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.
HB93	RELATING TO TOURISM.
HB94	RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
HB96 HD1	RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS.
HB98 HD2	RELATING TO AQUATIC RESOURCES.
HB114	RELATING TO CESSPOOL CONVERSION.
HB227 HD2	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB237 HD2 SD2 CD1	RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.
HB263	RELATING TO INTOXICATING LIQUOR.
HB282 HD1 SD2 CD1	RELATING TO MINORS.
HB288 HD1	RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.
HB321 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX.
HB322	RELATING TO MANUFACTURING.
HB323	RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE THIRD REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.
HB324	RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LEASES.
HB325 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.
HB326 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.
HB432 HD1	RELATING TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.
HB448	RELATING TO VIOLATION OF PRIVACY.
HB465 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
HB466	RELATING TO FAMILY LEAVE AND TEMPORARY DISABILITY INSURANCE.
HB467 HD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.
HB468 HD1 SD1 CD1	RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND.
HB469 HD1 SD2 CD1	RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF NON-AGRICULTURAL PARK LANDS.
HB470	RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT SECURITY.
HB486 HD2	RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.
HB497 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCES.
HB532	RELATING TO RECKLESS ENDANGERING.
HB544 HD1	MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AT MAUNA KEA ON THE ISLAND OF HAWAII.
HB554 HD2	RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS.
HB570 HD2 SD1	RELATING TO SEXUAL ABUSE OF MINORS.
HB602	RELATING TO REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES.
HB625 HD1	RELATING TO THE FESTIVAL OF PACIFIC ARTS.
HB630	RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB643 HD2	RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
HB663 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO THE GAME MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION.
HB686 HD2	RELATING TO CRITICAL ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
HB712 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.
HB713 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.
HB714 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.
HB715 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.
HB716 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.
HB722 HD2 SD2	RELATING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
HB773	RELATING TO DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY.
HB783	RELATING TO THE UNIFORM PROBATE CODE.
HB784	RELATING TO TRESPASS.
HB785	RELATING TO FIREARMS.
HB820	RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCESS.
HB826 HD2 SD2	RELATING TO ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICES.
HB827	RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
HB830	RELATING TO THE IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL LAND QUALIFIED AGRICULTURAL COST TAX CREDIT.
HB865 HD1	RELATING TO THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION DIVISION.
HB1125 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.
HB1126 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.
HB1127 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.
HB1128	RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
HB1129	RELATING TO WATER CARRIERS.
HB1144 HD2	RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
HB1191 HD2 SD2 CD1	RELATING TO BROADBAND SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE.
HB1220 HD2	RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.
HB1221 HD1	RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.
HB1223 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB1239	RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.
HB1240	RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.
HB1271	RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
HB1273 HD1	RELATING TO TAX CREDITS.
HB1278 HD1	RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT SECURITY.
HB1286 HD2	RELATING TO TRAVEL.
HB1325 HD1	RELATING TO THE PROCUREMENT CODE.
HB1326 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
HB1327	RELATING TO THE YOUTH VAPING EPIDEMIC.
HB1328	RELATING TO ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICES.
HB1329	RELATING TO ELECTRONIC SMOKING PRODUCTS.
HB1330	RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
HB1355 HD1	RELATING TO STATE PROCUREMENT REFORM.
HCR65	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COORDINATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO IMPLEMENT A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT OF AT LEAST A HALF CREDIT IN FINANCIAL LITERACY DURING THE JUNIOR YEAR OR SENIOR YEAR.
HCR80 HD1	REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY AND ENFORCEMENT BY PROVIDING INDIVIDUAL PREMARKET TOBACCO PRODUCT APPLICATION APPLICANT INFORMATION OF HAWAII SELLERS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES.
HCR93	URGING ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS IN THE STATE TO VIGOROUSLY ENFORCE AND PROSECUTE OFFENSES COMMITTED AGAINST ESSENTIAL WORKERS WHILE ON THE JOB.
HCR104 HD1 SD1	REQUESTING THE DIRECTOR OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY, DESIGN, AND DEVELOP A PAID FAMILY LEAVE PILOT PROGRAM.
HCR154 SD1	CONDEMNING ALL FORMS OF ANTI-ASIAN SENTIMENT AS RELATED TO COVID-19; URGING GREATER INVESTMENT IN FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND SUPPORT COMMUNITYWIDE SOLUTIONS; AND REQUESTING THE CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO IDENTIFY AND ANALYZE INCIDENTS BASED ON ANTI-ASIAN AND ANTI-PACIFIC ISLANDER SENTIMENT AND DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBERS OF HOMICIDES OF ASIAN-AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.
HCR173	REQUESTING ALL POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE TO CONDUCT OUTREACH AMONG THEIR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND RECENT INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES.
HCR181 HD1	REQUESTING THE HAWAII SISTER-STATE COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE INITIATION OF A SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY OF AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND.
HR54	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COORDINATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO IMPLEMENT A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT OF AT LEAST A HALF CREDIT IN FINANCIAL LITERACY DURING THE JUNIOR YEAR OR SENIOR YEAR.
HR67 HD1	REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY AND ENFORCEMENT BY PROVIDING INDIVIDUAL PREMARKET TOBACCO PRODUCT APPLICATION APPLICANT INFORMATION OF HAWAII SELLERS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES.
HR78	URGING ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS IN THE STATE TO VIGOROUSLY ENFORCE AND PROSECUTE OFFENSES COMMITTED AGAINST ESSENTIAL WORKERS WHILE ON THE JOB.
HR86 HD1	REQUESTING THE DIRECTOR OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY, DESIGN, AND DEVELOP A PAID FAMILY LEAVE PILOT PROGRAM.
HR130	CONDEMNING ALL FORMS OF ANTI-ASIAN SENTIMENT AS RELATED TO COVID-19 AND URGING GREATER INVESTMENT IN FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND SUPPORT COMMUNITYWIDE SOLUTIONS.
HR150 HD1	REQUESTING THE HAWAII SISTER-STATE COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE INITIATION OF A SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY OF AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND.

Representative Richard Onishi serves State House District 3, stretching from South Hilo to Punalu'u and consists of over 10 very diverse communities such as Keaau, Mountain View, Volcano and Pahala. He is currently the Chair for the Committee on Labor and Tourism (LAT) and is a member on Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee (CPC) and the Economic Development Committee (ECD).

Representative Onishi was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii with over 20 years working for the County of Hawaii. He would start off his long career by joining the United States Army before returning to Hilo. In 2013 Representative Onishi joined the house Hawaii State Legislature as a member of the House of Representatives.

March 2020

2021 Newsletter - Mid Session

Click here to view newsletter

May 2020

2020 Newsletter - End of Session

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March 2020

2020 Newsletter - Mid Session

Click here to view newsletter

May 2019

2019 Newsletter - End of Session

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May 8, 2018 1

2018 End of Session Newsletter

With the end of the 2018 Session, Representative Onishi looks back on what was accomplished this year. Please read the newsletter to find out more of what has happened during the 2018 Legislative session at the Capitol. Click here to view newsletter

April 6, 2018

Join us at Art at the Capitol

Come by the Hawaii State Capitol and join us at Representative Onishi's office to see the art we have on display, open and free to the public to view the State owned artworks inside. While you are here, enjoy the local art on all levels of the Capitol Building. The event starts at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday.
March 22, 2018

Rep Onishi's 2018 Invocation: Live Performance by Alina Tassano.

March 19, 2018

Live at the Legislature 03/19/2018

Watch Representative Onishi on the Facebook page for ‘Ōlelo for this week's Live at the Legislature at link provided. Skip to 13:32 to see the Rep discuss issues pertaining to Tourism and Hawaii Island.
If the public has any questions on matters discussed in the video, please feel free to call the Representative's office. Click here to view the video

March 14, 2018

2018 Newsletter - Mid Session

With the start of the 2018 Session, Representative Onishi begins his second year as Tourism Chair looking to focus on redefining how the transient accommodations tax (TAT) is used for the betterment of the public and tourism impacted areas. Homelessness is on everyone's minds, and the TAT would enable the Hawaii Tourism Authority, in partnership with the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Authority and nonprofits from around the state, help address this with new initiatives. Please read the newsletter to find out more of what has happened so far at the Hawaii State Legislature. Click here to view newsletter

January 17, 2018

Welcome to the 2018 Legislative Session

Representative Onishi welcomes everyone to a new 2018 Session. We are looking forward to this 2nd biennial legislative year to pursue many of our goals to benefit the District 3 and State of Hawaii. The continued work of supporting the revitalization of the Banyan Drive area is a top priority, as well the procurement of funding to help facilitate better communications between the different enforcement and police agencies that help to combat crime. As the chair of the Tourism Committee there are many issues, including the continuing discussion on short term rentals.

The Representative welcomes all those who would like to voice the opinion to call, stop in, and be heard in this new legislative session.

January 10, 2018

2017 Newsletter - End Of Session

At the end of the 2017 Session, Representative Onishi focused on legislation relating to the state's visitor industry. At the end of the legislative process, the bill to improve Banyan Drive was recommitted to committee. Rep. Onishi will continue his support of the project and push for the passage of this important piece of legislation. The increasing number of unpermitted short term vacation rentals is an ongoing issue for our islands, but Rep. Onishi continues the conversations with the industry to look into viable solutions. Numerous road projects gained funding including the 4 Mile Creek Bridge and the Pana'ewa Stretch Improvements in Hilo. Representative Onishi strives to represent his constituents in the best way possible and is very grateful for your confidence and trust in expressing your concerns. Click here to view newsletter

January 10, 2018

2017 Mid Session Newsletter

With the start of the 2017 Session, Representative Onishi took on the new role of Chair of the Tourism Committee. Focusing on redevelopment and the improvement of Banyan Drive area in Hilo, the growing vacation rental discussion, helping Agriculture, invasive species, and a number of improvements to school facilities and state highways. Click here to view newsletter