The Hawaiʻi State Senate today confirmed Major General Stephen Logan as the Adjutant General for the State of Hawai‘i Department of Defense and Major Mike Lambert as the Director of the State of Hawai‘i Department of Law Enforcement.

Senator Brandon Elefante (Senate District 16 – ‘Aiea, ‘Aiea Heights, Hālawa, Pearlridge, Newtown, Royal Summit, Waimalu, Waiau, Momilani, Pacific Palisades, and Pearl City), chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs (PSM) praised the confirmations.

“I am pleased to support the confirmation of Major General Logan and Major Lambert, two highly skilled leaders who bring years of dedicated service to our state,” said Senator Elefante. “Major General Logan’s military expertise and Major Lambert’s long-standing dedication to law enforcement will be critical in advancing the safety and security of Hawaiʻi.”

Major General Logan brings over 40 years of military experience, including leadership positions such as Commander of the 103rd Troop Command and Assistant Adjutant General. His expertise in disaster management and logistics was key in his unanimous confirmation as Adjutant General.

“I am honored by the Senate’s confirmation,” stated Major General Logan. “As Adjutant General, my commitment is to serve Hawai‘i with integrity, dedication, and a focus on enhancing our state’s defense capabilities. I look forward to working alongside our military and community partners to ensure the safety and security of our state and its residents.”

Major Lambert has spent over 20 years in law enforcement and most recently served as a major with the Honolulu Police Department (HPD). His leadership and dedication to public safety have earned him widespread support from the community.

“I am deeply humbled by this confirmation and excited to take on the responsibility of leading the Department of Law Enforcement,” said Major Lambert. “My focus will be on fostering strong relationships within our communities, ensuring the safety of all residents, and upholding the highest standards of integrity and service in our law enforcement efforts.”

During Friday’s Floor Session, the Senate voted unanimously in favor of confirming both leaders to their new positions.

ABOUT THE HAWAIʻI STATE SENATE MAJORITY

The Hawaiʻi State Senate consists of 25 members who serve staggered four-year terms. The Senate Majority consists of 22 Democrats for the 33rd Legislature, which convened on January 15, 2025. For the latest news and updates, follow the Senate Majority on Facebook, Instagram, or visit https://www.hawaiisenatemajority.com.

A veteran Hawaiʻi Republican lawmaker says he will leave the Legislature at the end of the month due to health problems.

Rep. Gene Ward, who represents Hawaiʻi Kai, Kalama Valley and Portlock in the state House of Representatives, will step down March 31, more than a month before the end of the current session.

“As some of you are already aware, over the past few months I have experienced several health setbacks including anemia and sciatica,” Ward, 82, said in a statement. “Recently, I was diagnosed with pneumonia. The recovery from various health issues has been a slow and painful process.”

Ward received praise for his service from Gov. Josh Green and House Speaker Nadine Nakamura, both Democrats, as well as House Republican Caucus Leader Lauren Matsumoto and House Minority Floor Leader Diamond Garcia.

“Gene was always up for the good fight and would go the extra mile for any issue he felt strongly about,” Matsumoto said in a statement. “Honestly, he’s been such a fixture here that this session hasn’t been the same without him.”

In the Democrat-controlled state Senate, meantime, Sen. Mike Gabbard read Ward’s retirement statement aloud to his colleagues during floor session Friday.

Ward is a Vietnam veteran who served as a translator-interpreter, according to his official House biography. He also served in the Peace Corps in East Timor.

Ward served in the House from 1990 to 1998, when he ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Congress. He served as a presidential appointee under the second Bush administration in the USAID Office of Democracy and Governance as a senior democracy adviser from 1999-2004.

Ward returned to the state House in 2006. He is a former House minority leader.

A holder of a Ph.D. from the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa, Ward taught at Chaminade and Hawaiʻi Pacific University as an adjunct professor.

The vacancy for the District 18 seat will be filled by the governor, who will choose from three area applicants approved by Republicans in the district.

Sen. Carol Fukunaga (Senate District 11 – Mānoa, Makiki/Punchbowl, Tantalus, and Papakōlea) is sponsoring a community forum tonight to discuss the potential impact of federal funding cuts on local services and resources, along with critical topics such as condo insurance, little fire ants, fireworks, schools and public safety.

The forum is held alongside fellow area legislators Rep. Della Au Belatti (House District 26 – Makiki, Punchbowl) and Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam (City Council District 6 – portions of Kakaʻako, Downtown Honolulu, Chinatown, Punchbowl, Papakōlea, Pauoa Valley, Nuʻuanu, Iwilei, Liliha, ʻĀlewa Heights, Kalihi, and Kalihi Valley).

“As we face potential federal funding cuts, the reality is that essential local programs and services that our communities rely on every day could be severely impacted,” said Fukunaga.

Belatti pointed out that cancellation of the Local Food for Schools program would compound Hawaiʻi’s food insecurity issues and said, “This is especially true in Title I schools where school meals for low-income students might be their only reliable source of nutrition each day.”

Dos Santos agreed and said, “This forum will be an opportunity to hear from residents, understand their concerns, and work together to find ways to protect the resources that support our families and neighborhoods.”

Participants will also receive updates on pending legislation in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature.

Todayʻs (Tuesday, March 18, 2025) forum is on Oʻahu at Stevenson Middle School Cafeteria, located at 1202 Prospect Street in Honolulu. It runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m.