Hawaii Bills

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 64: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO MINIMIZE RUMBLE STRIP DIMENSIONS ON A SEGMENT OF KAMEHAMEHA V HIGHWAY ON MOLOKAI TO REDUCE UNINTENDED HAZARDS.

This bill urges the Hawaii Department of Transportation to modify the dimensions of rumble strips on a specific section of Kamehameha V Highway on Molokai, east of mile marker 9.5. The resolution states that the current rumble strips are too aggressive and cause drivers to swerve or straddle lane lines to avoid the intense vibration, which creates new safety risks by pushing vehicles into narrow shoulder areas used by cyclists and pedestrians. The bill recommends changing the strip design to a shallower sinusoidal or mumble profile that provides necessary lane-departure warnings without encouraging avoidance maneuvers. This is a non-binding recommendation aimed at improving road safety while reducing noise pollution for local residents.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 127: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A STATE HIGHWAY POLICE FORCE.

This bill is a concurrent resolution that formally requests the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement to work together to create a state highway police force. It aims to address rising traffic fatalities by supplementing county police efforts with a specialized state-level enforcement unit focused on highway safety. The resolution highlights the potential benefits of combining transportation infrastructure expertise with law enforcement authority to improve traffic management and response to incidents. It does not authorize funding or mandate the creation of the force, but rather serves as a formal recommendation to the relevant state agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 96: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONSIDER MOVING TO A DEMERIT POINTS-BASED DRIVER'S LICENSING SYSTEM.

This bill urges the Hawaii Department of Transportation to consider adopting a demerit points-based driver's licensing system. It directly affects drivers by proposing a method where points are added to a license for traffic violations, similar to systems used in approximately forty states. The resolution cites high traffic fatality rates and the department's acknowledgment that most crashes stem from human behavior as reasons for this recommendation. It does not mandate the change but requests the department to evaluate implementing this system to improve road safety.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 175: REAFFIRMING THE LEGISLATURE'S COMMITMENT TO PARTICIPATE AS A MEMBER LEGISLATURE IN THE PACIFIC INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY.

This bill is a concurrent resolution that reaffirms the Hawaii Legislature's commitment to remain a member of the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, a regional organization for Pacific legislatures. The resolution formally acknowledges the transition from the previous Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group to the new assembly and confirms Hawaii's continued participation in the organization's activities. It directs that copies of the resolution be sent to state officials and international partners, including the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly secretariat. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves to maintain Hawaii's institutional membership in the regional parliamentary network.

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 182: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY ACCESSIBILITY BARRIERS FOR MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING NOT COVERED BY THE FEDERAL FAIR HOUSING ACT AND GOVERNED BY CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS AND PLANNED COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Health to create a working group to study accessibility barriers in multi-family housing managed by condominium and planned community associations, which are not covered by the federal Fair Housing Act. The study will examine disputes between residents and associations over accessibility modifications, analyze how current laws define responsibilities for common area improvements, and assess the impact of these barriers on residents' ability to age in place. The working group will include representatives from disability rights organizations, housing authorities, and senior advocacy groups, and will evaluate potential state funding options to help offset modification costs. The Department of Health is required to submit a report with findings and legislative recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 136: URGING THE COUNTY OF MAUI TO ADOPT ORDINANCES THAT ESTABLISH WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE SAFETY STANDARDS FOR PLANTATION TOWNS AND OTHER HIGH-RISK COMMUNITIES, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE COUNTY OF KAUAI'S ORDINANCE NO. PM-2025-425, RELATING TO THE PLANTATION CAMP DISTRICT WILDFIRE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE, AND OTHER STATE AND NATIONAL WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE BEST PRACTICES.

This bill is a House Concurrent Resolution that urges the County of Maui to adopt ordinances establishing wildfire safety standards for plantation towns and other high-risk communities. It recommends that Maui look to Kauai's recent ordinance as a model, which requires new and remodeled buildings in wildfire-prone areas to incorporate measures like ember-resistant construction, noncombustible zones around structures, defensible space, and vegetation management. The resolution asks Maui to integrate these wildfire safety standards into zoning, permitting, and redevelopment decisions while considering the unique characteristics of historic plantation towns. It also directs copies of the resolution to county officials including the mayor, council chair, fire chief, and planning director to facilitate implementation.

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 24: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON HAWAII'S FOOD MANUFACTURING STRENGTHS AND STRATEGIC MARKETS.

This bill requests the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a study on Hawaii's food manufacturing strengths and identify strategic export markets for high-value local products. The study will analyze competitive advantages, calculate minimum profit margins needed to offset Hawaii's high operational costs, and assess logistical barriers to international trade. It also directs the University of Hawaii to update its food innovation curriculum to teach entrepreneurs how to engineer products specifically for premium export markets. Additionally, the bill asks state agencies to collaborate on integrating study findings into existing workforce development programs and to propose policy changes that prioritize funding for businesses manufacturing identified high-value products.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 146: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE REVIEW OF CIVIL SERVICE CLASS SPECIFICATIONS, MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, AND CLASSIFICATIONS AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A PHASED MODERNIZATION IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Human Resources Development to conduct a comprehensive review of state civil service job descriptions and classifications to ensure they reflect modern workplace requirements. The review will examine outdated job duties, evaluate salary competitiveness against current labor markets, and identify positions with chronic recruitment or retention challenges. The resolution also authorizes the use of artificial intelligence tools to assist in analyzing job data, provided they are used only for support purposes under strict human oversight and do not make final employment decisions. The department is asked to consult with employees, unions, and stakeholders, then submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 128: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS, TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO COORDINATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLANNING TO REDUCE INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS FOR HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS DEVELOPMENTS.

This bill requests the Department of Transportation and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to form a working group that will coordinate infrastructure planning for Hawaiian home land developments. The working group will include leaders from both departments, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and infrastructure experts to review overlapping projects and identify ways to reduce costs through synchronized planning. Specifically, the group will map out planned improvements over a five-year period, evaluate opportunities to combine construction efforts like road and drainage work, and assess potential cost savings from joint execution. The group is tasked with developing a standardized coordination process, identifying legal or procedural barriers to cooperation, and recommending any necessary changes to make coordinated planning permanent. The working group must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026 and will dissolve on June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 68: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO TRANSFER PARCELS THAT MAKE UP THE EAST KAPOLEI TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND URGING THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO PARTNER WITH THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF NON-HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PORTIONS OF THE PROJECT.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources to transfer several state-owned parcels in the East Kapolei Transit-Oriented Development Project to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. The resolution also asks the Housing Corporation to partner with the Hawaii Community Development Authority to handle non-housing community development and infrastructure work across the project area. These agencies are being encouraged to coordinate their roles based on their existing expertise, with the Housing Corporation leading housing development and the Community Development Authority managing infrastructure improvements. The bill does not mandate these actions but formally requests the agencies to align their responsibilities for this mixed-use development that includes affordable housing, commercial spaces, and transit support facilities.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 124: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO EXPAND AND STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL LITERACY, CREDIT READINESS, AND HOMEOWNERSHIP PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMS.

This bill requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to expand and strengthen programs focused on financial literacy, credit readiness, and homeownership preparedness for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The resolution asks the department to work with financial educators, credit counselors, and community partners to provide pre-award education, post-award support, culturally responsive materials, and to identify funding opportunities. The department is also asked to report back to the Legislature within 20 days of the 2027 session with details on program improvements, the number of people served, and measurable outcomes related to lease retention and credit improvement.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Housing

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 91: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A FORMAL, LONG-TERM COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM TO EXPAND, EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTE, AND SUSTAIN TREE-CANOPY COVERAGE ACROSS PUBLIC SCHOOLS STATE WIDE.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Education to work together on a permanent program to increase tree coverage at public schools across the state. The initiative aims to address heat exposure and improve outdoor learning opportunities, with special attention to ensuring equitable tree distribution in lower-income and Title I schools that currently have less shade. The program would include long-term tree maintenance, strategic species selection, and the creation of dedicated staff positions to sustain the effort. It builds on existing pilot programs like Shade Trees for Schools and Fruit Trees for Schools, which have shown positive results but have been limited by short-term funding.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment

Bill results