REQUESTING THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON AGING TO PARTNER WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA CENTER ON AGING TO ESTABLISH A KUPUNA WORKFORCE INNOVATION HUB TO IMPLEMENT SHORT-TERM STRATEGIES OUTLINED IN THE 2025 STRENGTHENING HAWAII'S LONG-TERM DIRECT CARE WORKFORCE STRATEGIC PLAN.

This Senate Resolution requests Hawaii's Executive Office on Aging to partner with the University of Hawaii at Manoa Center on Aging to establish a Kupuna Workforce Innovation Hub. The hub would implement short-term strategies from the state's 2025 Strategic Plan to improve recruitment, retention, and training for elder care workers. Key actions include standardizing care competencies, expanding training curriculum, and analyzing workforce gaps between workers and employers. The resolution requires the hub to report findings to the legislature by 2026, focusing on concrete steps to strengthen Hawaii's aging care workforce.