Keiki Caucus unveils five-priority 2026 bill package to expand youth services

The Hawaiʻi Legislature’s bipartisan Keiki Caucus announced a five-priority bill package aimed at strengthening health, safety and access for keiki statewide, highlighting an effort to extend free school meals to public charter schools and proposals to regulate e‑bikes and curb youth access to flavored nicotine products.

Keiki Caucus Co‑Convenor Rep. Lisa Marten said the package is designed to build “strong, supportive systems that give our youth the opportunity to thrive and grow into confident, healthy adults.” Senators and Representatives gathered at the State Capitol to present the agenda, which the caucus framed as the product of “ongoing collaboration and dedication between youth, community, youth-centered organizations and legislators to improve the lives of Hawaiʻi’s youth,” a summary attributed to Co‑Convenor Sen. Karl Rhoads.

House Bill 1561 is the clearest item released: it would expand free school meals to public charter schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program. Rep. Trish La Chica said the change responds to a gap left after the 2025 session approved universal meals for Department of Education schools but excluded charters. “What we found is that public charter schools, which are also our public schools, currently do not receive this benefit,” La Chica said. “We’d like to close this gap and provide additional access and equity for public charter schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program.” Community advocate Daniela Spoto of Hawaiʻi Appleseed is explicitly associated with HB1561.

Lawmakers also outlined a proposal to address rising safety concerns tied to electric bicycles. Rep. Darius Kila described that measure this way: “This creates three legal class or class classifications of e‑bikes and allows the prohibition framework to move forward, to take these illegal road illegal high‑speed electric devices off our roadways.” KITV coverage said the push responds to multiple accidents involving young riders and seeks a statewide framework to classify e‑bikes and remove illegal high‑speed devices from public roadways.

The package includes a priority to restrict youth access to flavored nicotine and vape products, presented as part of the caucus’ broader youth health agenda. Beyond HB1561, the announcement did not attach bill numbers, sponsors or full texts to each of the remaining measures at the time of the unveiling on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. Caucus leaders encouraged residents who feel strongly about the proposals to contact their local representatives as the legislative session progresses.

Locally on the Big Island, HB1561 could affect charter schools that currently serve hungry students without the benefit enacted for DOE campuses, shifting meal program logistics and state funding flows. E‑bike classification and enforcement proposals could change how county police and transportation planners address roadway safety for keiki and families. Flavored nicotine restrictions would affect retailers, youth prevention programs and public health outreach across the island.

Advocacy groups tied to keiki policy include Hawaiʻi Appleseed and the Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network. HCAN lists 2026 priorities such as strengthening the early childhood workforce and supporting working ʻohana; it can be reached at PO Box 23198, Honolulu, HI 96823 or by phone at 808‑531‑5502.

For readers, the unveiling sets the policy direction for the keiki agenda this session but leaves critical details pending: full bill texts, bill numbers for all measures, committee referrals and fiscal notes. Those specifics will determine how quickly any measure moves and what impacts Big Island families, schools and public safety agencies should expect.