Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB9: Designating Hawaii as a Purple Heart State.
Status: In committee, March 10, 2026
Designates Hawaii as a Purple Heart State.
What the bill says
A bill for an act designating hawaii as a purple heart state.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT DESIGNATING HAWAII AS A PURPLE HEART STATE. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii is home to many United States armed forces members and veterans who have made the choice to protect freedom and the nation. The legislature further finds that the Purple Heart, originally titled the Badge of Military Merit, was a purplecolored, heart--shaped badge created by General George Washington in 1782 and is the oldest military decoration in present use. The medal was intended to recognize, as General Washington wrote on August 7, 1782, "any singularly meritorious action"--not only instances of unusual gallantry in battle but also extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way. The legislature also finds that the Purple Heart is currently awarded to members of the United States armed forces who have been killed, been wounded, or died of wounds received while engaged in armed combat with an enemy force or as a result of international terrorism or being held as a prisoner of war. 2026--1041 HB9 HD1 HMSO H.B. NO. The legislature additionally finds that Hawaii has a proud history of supporting its active military and veteran population and deeply appreciates the sacrifices that its Purple Heart recipients have made in the nation's defense. Furthermore, the legislature finds that it is appropriate to honor the State's Purple Heart …
Sponsors
- Sam Kong (D, HD-033) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Referred to PSM/WLA.
- : Passed First Reading.
- : Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 4).
- : Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.
- : Reported from CAA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 765-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
- : The committee on CAA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Kapela, Kong, Garrett, Lee, M., Sayama, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
- : Bill scheduled to be heard by CAA on Friday, 02-20-26 11:00AM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
- : Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CAA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1).
- : Reported from PBS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 193-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CAA.
- : The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Belatti, Iwamoto, Hashem, Morikawa, Poepoe, Woodson, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ichiyama.
Votes
- Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (February 24, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
- CAA: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (February 20, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CAA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1) (February 11, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
- PBS: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (February 4, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report
Common questions
- What is HB9?
- HB9 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Designating Hawaii as a Purple Heart State.
- What does HB9 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act designating hawaii as a purple heart state.
- What is the status of HB9?
- In committee as of March 10, 2026. Latest action: Referred to PSM/WLA. (March 10, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB9?
- Sam Kong (D, HD-033).
- Where is the official record for HB9?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=9&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.