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Donovan Dela Cruz on Corporations

 

 


Voted in favor of bill protecting business he owns

A powerful state senator appears to have violated Senate rules for voting in favor of House Bill 496, which seeks to protect mamaki tea by requiring that only packages containing 100% of mamaki grown in Hawai'i are allowed to use the word "mamaki." Dela Cruz is an owner of Kilani Brew. It specializes in "growing and purveying premium" mamaki tea, which lists for $14 for a loose leaf tea pouches and $15 for a tea bag pouch.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2026 Hawaii Gubernatorial race , Jun 22, 2025

Allow taxing of short term rental accommodations

SB1292: Requires hosting platforms that collect booking services to register as tax collection agents and collect GET and TAT for transient accommodation bookings.

Honolulu Civil Beat analysis: Critics say SB1292 would require operators of short-term rentals to pay transient accommodation and general excise taxes, with hosting platforms like Airbnb and HomeAway acting as tax collectors on behalf of the state. Sen. Laura Thielen compared illegal vacation rentals to a crime that prevents local people from being able to own and rent homes.

Veto message: The State's taxation of transient accommodations through hosting platforms should complement the counties' regulation of transient accommodations. While SB1292 would not legalize these operations, it could be viewed as legitimizing these operations.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 50-1-0 on 4/9/19; Passed Senate 13-12-0 on 4/30; Donovan Dela Cruz voted YES; Vetoed by Gov. Ige on 7/9

Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on Hawaii voting record SB1292 , Apr 30, 2019

Other governors on Corporations: Donovan Dela Cruz on other issues:
HI Gubernatorial:
Andria Tupola
Duke Aiona
Gary Cordery
Josh Green
Kai Kahele
Kirk Caldwell
Marissa Kerns
Paul Morgan
Vicky Cayetano
HI Senatorial:
Bob McDermott
Brian Schatz
Mazie Hirono

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Page last updated: Oct 11, 2026; copyright 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org