Our Mission

The Public Access Room (PAR) provides the public with information, facilities, and services to assist them as they participate in the State legislative process. This includes knowledge of how things work at the Capitol, as well as a physical location (room 401) for use by members of the public. PAR is a non-partisan office, and there is never a fee for services.

PAR History

During the 1989 Legislative session, the Legislature enacted SB 832 (Act 331, SLH 1989) to improve public access to legislative information, and then established PAR to provide the public with necessary resources for participation in the legislative process. It’s the first stop for Hawaii’s citizens when working with the Legislature – whether from home, office or at the Capitol.

Originally staffed and supported by community volunteers from public interest organizations, PAR began operating with permanent staff and year-round open-door services in 1994. In 1996, the PAR became a division of the non-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB).

Here’s a timeline (1989-2013) highlighting some of our significant steps forward:

1989: Lack of transparency and access leads to call for change. Special Legislative Access Committee is created.

1990: PAR opens in Capitol basement. “Access” computer system allows first online access to legislative documents. Legislative testimony accepted by fax.

1991: Hawaii’s “Legislative Access Experience” is published by House Majority Office.

1992: PAR is staffed by legislative employees.

1993: PAR coordinates the first broadcast of a committee hearing.

1994: PAR is made permanent with the enactment of Act 259-94 “Friends of Access.” Senate’s opening session is broadcast.

1995: PAR opens during interim and is available year-round to assist citizens prepare for the legislative session.

1996: Hawaii State Legislature website, capitol.hawaii.gov, is launched.

1997: Legislative Broadcast Program is made permanent by Act 373-97.

1998: Office of Information Practices is given oversight of the Sunshine Law, Act 137-98.

1999: Senate begins hearing notices by email. Citizen’s ‘open mic’ TV Program taped in PAR for airing on Olelo.

2000: Bill introduced to fund video streaming. First email testimony processed and delivered by PAR.

2001: Second full-time PAR staff position added.

2002: PAR begins coordinating Legislator’s “Back to School” Program, helping keiki learn about citizenship and their legislature.

2003: PAR begins neighbor island outreach program.

2004: PAR’s website hawaii.gov/lrb/par continues to grow as resource tool for the public.

2005: Over 4,000 pieces of e-mail testimony received by PAR for copying and distribution. (By 2007, this triples to 12,500 pieces.)

2006: Capitol installs free wireless access, allowing the public to work online in committee rooms, hallways, and PAR.

2007: House and Senate provide for direct receipt of email testimony. Legislative website provides RSS subscriptions for measure tracking.

2008: Written testimony now available and searchable online. Broadcast events are closed captioned.

2009: Online form for submission of testimony appears on Legislature’s website. JAWS software installed on public computer.

2010: House, Senate and Governor issue Congratulatory Proclamations to celebrate PAR’s 20th year.

2011: Created DVDs of “Welcome to the Public Access Room.”

2012: Posted PAR’s 2012 captioned video, “We the Powerful,” on the website. Now citizens can, at any time, learn about the legislative process.

2013: Legislative website allows customized measure tracking reports.