Aloha friends,
Today, I am overjoyed to share the news we have been working toward for years:
Governor Josh Green signed HB1875 into law as Act 59 on May 29, 2026.
We did it.
After years of advocacy, testimony, phone calls, emails, meetings, coalition-building, and persistence, Hawaiʻi now has a Shield Law that protects patients, families, and healthcare providers who are following Hawaiʻi law.
This victory belongs to every single person who signed this petition, submitted testimony, contacted legislators, shared information with friends and family, showed up to hearings, or simply refused to give up.
Together, we helped create protections for trans and māhū youth, their families, and the healthcare providers who care for them.
Together, we helped ensure that out-of-state political attacks cannot dictate healthcare decisions here in Hawaiʻi.
Together, we proved that ordinary people can create extraordinary change.
And somehow, it feels especially fitting that this victory arrived during Pride Month. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Pride has always been about more than celebration. It is about courage, community, persistence, and hope. This campaign embodied all of those values.
While there was no public bill signing ceremony, I had the opportunity to personally thank Governor Green and express our community's gratitude for signing this important bill into law.
Most importantly, the work for our Shield Law is now done.
Act 59 is law.
Because the law has passed, this petition has achieved its goal and I will be officially closing it as a successful campaign. The executive action we originally sought is no longer necessary because these protections now exist under Hawaiʻi law.
Before I close this chapter, I simply want to say thank you:
Thank you for trusting me.
Thank you for standing shoulder to shoulder with one another.
Thank you for caring enough to act.
I will never forget what we accomplished together.
🌈 Want to Stay Connected?
If you would like to stay informed about future efforts involving LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, civil rights, and voting rights here in Hawaiʻi, you can join my email list:
You can also follow me on Instagram:
👉 @abbyforhawaii
(No, I'm not running for office! 😄)
I simply plan to continue advocating for civil rights and helping connect people who want to make a positive difference in our communities.
No matter what challenges lie ahead, I hope this campaign leaves you with one lasting lesson:
Local advocacy works.
Petitions can make a significant impact in organizing people - locally and across vast distances!
People matter.
Your voice matters.
And when people come together with courage, compassion, and determination, we can change lives.
Mahalo nui loa for being part of this journey.
Happy Pride Month, everyone. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
With deepest gratitude and aloha,
Abby Simmons