HONOLULU (KHON2) -- The Hawaiʻi State Legislature will open its 33rd session on Wednesday, Jan. 15. The first session is being marked by Opening Day which is a time you can come by and meet all the folks who work hard to cover Hawaiʻi's legislative needs and priorities. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You “As we begin the 33rd Legislature, our focus remains on tackling the cost of living and improving the quality of life for Hawaiʻi’s residents. Local families deserve to not only live in Hawaiʻi but thrive here. To achieve this, we are focusing on critical areas such as housing, homelessness, infrastructure, economic development, public safety, agriculture and biosecurity,” said House Majority Leader Sean Quinlan (D-47, Waialua, Hale‘iwa, Kawailoa Beach, Waimea, Sunset Beach, Waiale‘e, Kawela Bay, Kahuku, Lā‘ie, Hau‘ula, Punalu‘u, Kahana) For the first session, the House Majority Caucus has outlined its top priorities for the upcoming year. They are focusing on improving the quality of life for Hawaiʻi's residents. Housing The House Majority is committed to increasing affordable housing options for low- and moderate-income families. They plan to revisit residential development requirements and oversee the $600 million allocated through Act 279 to provide housing for Native Hawaiians on the waitlist. Their goal is to maximize the use of these funds to help as many Native Hawaiian families as possible. Homelessness The Legislature aims to expand access to mental health services, enhance crisis response efforts and provide more housing solutions for vulnerable populations. They will continue to invest in kauhale (small communities) and supportive housing in order to focus on mental health care and improving pathways to treatment to help individuals and families rebuild their lives. Infrastructure Addressing aging and neglected infrastructure is another priority. The Legislature plans to find solutions for deferred maintenance and explore how the state can assist residents with necessary upgrades. Improving infrastructure is essential for protecting the environment and ensuring Hawaiʻi’s future. Economic development The Legislature aims to create quality job opportunities in Hawaiʻi to retain local talent. They will expand training and internship programs to prepare students for both public and private sector careers. The Legislature is also working to recruit and retain public workers, especially as many state employees approach retirement. Ensuring access to affordable childcare is also a key part of this plan to support working families. Public safety To improve public safety, the House Majority aims for a balanced approach that invests in both law enforcement and rehabilitation programs. The goal is to create safer communities through collaboration between public safety officers, community organizations and residents. Agriculture/biosecurity Protecting Hawaiʻi’s environment from invasive pests is a priority for the Legislature. They are focused on strengthening biosecurity efforts to safeguard the state’s land, natural resources, and native species. Proactive measures are needed to preserve Hawaiʻi’s natural habitat and protect the economy. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 Opening Day is taking place at the Hawaii State Legislature building on South Beretania St. from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday Jan. 15. See you there!