Hawaii Gov. Green meets with Trump in D.C.
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The state legislature is in full swing in Hawaii while drastic changes are slated for the federal government in Washington, D.C. with the Trump Administration's cuts to the federal workforce and funding.Hawaii Governor Josh Green returned from a trip to the nation's capital on Sunday after attending the 2025 Winter Meeting of the National Governors Association, where he and other Governors met with President Donald Trump for over 5 hours.
'The President and his cabinet, it was quite extraordinary,' Gov. Green said. 'It's important for me to go to Washington and see exactly what the landscape is, see what the cuts might look like, and express what I feel Hawaii needs to the president directly for he's making his large moves on DEI. What I explained was to allow us to have ROI, you know, return on investment. And he was very favorable, and his cabinet were very favorable to that opinion because we governors need to sustain Medicaid and sustain our workforce. So much of it was extremely productive. We differ on a lot of things, but I'm gonna try to find a path to help Hawaii.'
The 10 most spoken languages in Hawaiʻi
Gov. Green said Hawaii is 5,000 workers short at the state level and is offering job opportunities for people who have or will be laid off from the federal workforce by the purging of federal employees by Elon Musk and the new Department of Government Efficiency.
'What is happening at the federal level where the cuts from Mr. Musk are very steep and precipitous, that is hurting people,' Gov. Green said. 'And I did express that I don't support that. But if there are people who separate from the Department of the Interior, maybe they can work in our, division of land and natural resources.'
Immersive education with sharks, dolphins, & sealions at Sea Life Park
One of the president's financial plans is tariffs, specifically steel. The Green administration's focus is affordable housing, and they have the new Aloha Stadium Entertainment District project.
'So I think a lot of it is a bargaining strategy. I did learn an incredible amount about the president and his team, during my four days in DC. So that's the strategy,' Gov. Green said. 'I would like to make sure that our allies, people we work with, especially Japan and Canada in this case, can bring us, low-cost fuel and low-cost materials because we do have a housing crisis.'
Green had traveled to D.C. already this month to lobby against now-confirmed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. A recent measles outbreak in West Texas has hospitalized 16 people out of about 100 cases, with the Associated Press reporting that the outbreak concentrates in a low-vaccination Mennonite community.
Kawaii Kon 2025: Top 10 to do, see, experience
'I'm concerned,' said Gov. Green, who has treated Measles outbreaks as a licensed physician. 'As everyone knows, I spoke out, pretty strongly against RFK Jr. We're seeing the manifestation of his misinformation campaign over the last five years really hit home, in this case, in Texas. People don't believe in vaccinations. More people ask for exemptions for whatever reason, and then you see these outbreaks. Three out of five hundred people, mostly kids, who get measles are gonna die. It will be tragic. And many more will have encephalopathy, which is damage to the the cerebral brain tissue, which means they could have blindness or, paralysis. So I'm passionate about this. I shared with the president that I'm gonna try to work with him whenever I possibly can, but I draw the line in the sand on this.'
Some of the vaccine hesitancy has grown from COVID-19 shots to standard school vaccinations in Hawaii. Incomplete vaccinations for Hawaii's Department of Education mandated vaccines have doubled since 2022, and religious exemptions have grown from 2.55% in 2021-2022, 3.07% in 2022-2023, and 4.07% in 2024-2025. The state legislature is now working on a bill to remove religious exemptions.
Governor Green says he's looking to find a middle ground with the director of the state Department of Health that can include religious exemptions but not conspiracies, like the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism.
Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news
'I wanna tell everybody, I actually believe in religious exemptions as long as they are, legitimate exemptions that people believe deep in their heart. What happens though is a lot of people use excuses, because they just don't want vaccinations. What I'm trying to do is broker a piece on the bill so that there can be an area where people get the exemptions, but the public schools have to be protected. Otherwise, we, like in Texas, will see those outbreaks.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
29 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Canadian premiers turn to New England governors for support on Trump tariffs
FREDERICTON - A group of Canadian premiers appear to be setting high expectations as they pursue negotiations with American governors to mitigate the impacts of United States-imposed tariffs on their economies. Premiers from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Quebec's economic minister are scheduled to meet with New England governors on Monday in Boston. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said the premiers look to the New England governors for insights on how to deal with the White House and U.S. President Donald Trump. 'I mean, ideally, what we would get is every governor ... agreeing to articulate in loud and formal terms their objection to the tariffs to their administration,' Holt told reporters Thursday. 'If we can get everyone agreeing that the tariffs are negatively impacting Americans and passing that message on to the White House, that would be a win.' Holt also said she plans on raising 'critical' energy and infrastructure files. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said last month that the leaders hope to discuss how they can work together and maintain economic relationships in the face of Trump's tariffs. 'Canada is Massachusetts' No. 1 trading partner,' she said in a May 5 statement. 'For generations, we have enjoyed a strong partnership and a healthy exchange of energy, lumber, dairy, cars and car parts, seafood and more. Our businesses and our residents all benefit from this relationship. But President Trump's tariffs are undermining this partnership, making it harder for businesses to keep their doors open, and increasing the cost of everything that the New England and Canadian people rely on.' Holt said New Brunswick supplies a lot of energy products to New England. 'I think 90 per cent of the cars in Boston are driving with gas that comes from the Irving refinery and us. They are keen to make sure we will continue to be a reliable supplier of energy to them,' she said. 'We see the U.S. as a market to sell energy in a way that is profitable and beneficial to New Brunswick.' Healey said an analysis showed that tariffs on Canadian energy would raise gas and heating oil prices by over 30 cents a gallon and could cost nearly $1.4 billion a year for people in Massachusetts, and $3.4 billion for those in the New England area. Ontario is also looking to discuss energy and minerals with the U.S., said Grace Lee, spokeswoman for Premier Doug Ford. 'Ontario is proud to have one of the cleanest and most reliable energy grids, alongside mineral rich areas ready for development and a highly skilled workforce that the U.S. needs and relies on,' she said in a statement. 'Premier Ford will advocate for his vision of Fortress Am-Can, a renewed strategic alliance that makes Canada and the U.S. the richest, most prosperous, safest and most secure two countries on the planet.' Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz's office did not respond to a request for comment. Léa Fortin, spokeswoman for Quebec's economic minister Christopher Skeete, said the meeting is a chance to reiterate ties between Quebec and the United States, as well as the Atlantic provinces. Sonja Pomeroy, spokeswoman for Premier John Hogan said Newfoundland and Labrador exported approximately $4.5 billion of goods to the United States in 2023, representing 37 per cent of the province's total exports. For example, she said in any given year, 60 to 80 per cent of Newfoundland and Labrador's seafood exports go to the United States. So the meeting is an opportunity to reinforce the social and economic value of Canada's long relationship with the United States, she explained. 'Barriers to trade are bad for both national economies,' Pomeroy said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
USA Today
36 minutes ago
- USA Today
Trump doesn't know if he's the hero or villain in 'Les Mis.' How ironic.
Trump doesn't know if he's the hero or villain in 'Les Mis.' How ironic. | Opinion Sending the military in to quell protests is more aligned with the French monarchy than the revolutionaries. Show Caption Hide Caption Trump met with boos, cheers before Les Misérables at Kennedy Center President Donald Trump attended "Les Miserables" at the Kennedy Center after overhauling its leadership and naming himself chairman. On June 11, President Donald Trump appeared at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for the opening night of 'Les Misérables.' If you're at all familiar with the musical, you'll understand why that's so ironic. Trump staged a hostile takeover of the Kennedy Center back in February, changing up the board and making himself chairman of the iconic performing arts venue. It led several artists to cancel performances. According to The New York Times, some 'Les Misérables' cast members had considered boycotting the Wednesday performance that kicked off the summer 2025 season. The president, oblivious as always, says the show is 'great.' Ever the musical theater fan, he has used one of the most recognizable songs from 'Les Mis' at multiple rallies over the years. You know, the one the cast sings on the eve of revolting against the monarchy? Surely the man who has inspired nationwide 'No Kings Day' protests understands how laughable that is. Does Trump identify with hero or villain of 'Les Mis'? He doesn't know. If you're unfamiliar with the musical, let me give you a rundown. Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, the story follows Jean Valjean after he leaves prison for stealing a loaf of bread for his starving relatives. After an interaction with a priest, he is inspired to live a better life, which includes adopting and raising a child named Cosette after her mother dies. The musical is set during a French revolution that culminates in the 1832 June Rebellion, where a group of student revolutionaries known as the Friends of the ABC try to lead the city into revolt. These are the students Republican leaders would want to deport. Opinion: Trump supporters, this is what you're cheering as his deportation scheme unfolds Apparently, despite his love of the musical, Trump doesn't know if he's the hero or villain of this story. He told The Washington Post he wasn't sure if he identified more with Valjean or Javert, the prison guard turned inspector who is obsessed with bringing Valjean to justice. It's an ironically indecisive thing to say, considering he has sent military troops to Los Angeles to quell protests against raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and has spent much of the past few months raging against students protesting for Palestine. It's hard to picture Trump as the hero of this story. That would require him learning how to be a more caring person over time. Given his rhetoric on immigrants, trans people and basically anyone who disagrees with him, I doubt he's experienced that kind of transformation. Imagine treating immigrants like they stole bread Art has always been part of protest and resistance. The theater is no exception. These forms of expression can also be used as propaganda. With Trump's declaration that the Kennedy Center's "woke" programming is done for, it seems that only tolerable art will make it through the vetting process. Somehow, "Les Mis" slipped through the cracks, likely because Trump actually likes the musical. Opinion: I told you GOP would come for marriage. Southern Baptists just proved my point. If Trump actually paid attention to the songs and themes of "Les Mis," maybe he'd realize that his desire to lay down the law is more aligned with Javert than anyone else in the show. Maybe he'd realize that sending the military to quell protests is more aligned with the actions of the French monarchy than those of the revolutionaries. Maybe he'd realize that he has more in common with the monarchy than the people. Probably not. But maybe. Follow USA TODAY columnist Sara Pequeño on X, formerly Twitter, @sara__pequeno
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Donald Trump Mocks Bruce Springsteen's Onstage Concert Fall in New Video
has taken another swing at . The POTUS has had a bone to pick with Springsteen ever since the legendary musician spoke out against Trump's policies during one of his recent concerts. And now, Trump is taking things to the next level. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 On Wednesday, May 31, the president shared an edited video to X (formerly Twitter), that showed him swinging a golf ball that was made to look like it hit Springsteen while he was performing, causing the "Born to Run" artist to take a nasty spill on stage. While there was no golf ball that actually hit Springsteen, 75, the footage of him falling onstage was very much real. The incident occurred at a 2023 concert, when he fell face-first during a performance in Amsterdam. But Trump, 78, used the clip to his advantage as another way of putting down the musician for speaking out against him—and users on the internet have a lot of thoughts. One X user called the president "pathetic" over the post, while many others agreed, chiming in to describe Trump as "insane," "vile" and "classless." "Seems like a threat to me," someone else declared. Another user added, "It's unimaginable to think this is the actual President of the United States being so childish, immature and petty."
