REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' OFFICE OF YOUTH SERVICES AND JUVENILE JUSTICE STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL TO EXAMINE THE AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF AINA-BASED LEARNING PROGRAMS OFFERED TO YOUTH IN THE JUVENILE LEGAL SYSTEM.

This House Resolution requests Hawaii's Department of Human Services to direct its Youth Services and Juvenile Justice Advisory Council to examine how many culturally rooted "aina-based learning" programs (land/sea-connected cultural education) are available for youth in the juvenile court system. It specifically asks the council to assess current program usage and create a list of approved organizations for courts to assign as community service alternatives. The resolution aims to connect youth, particularly Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Black youth disproportionately affected by fees and fines, with culturally relevant learning opportunities instead of standard community service. This would help address disconnection from cultural roots linked to higher recidivism rates, as noted in the resolution's background.