Rep. Terez Amato

Maddy summaryThis non-binding House Resolution encourages the University of Hawaii to evaluate and expand its student mental health services. It specifically asks the university to hire additional mental health professionals and support staff, extend counseling hours, improve crisis response, and adopt proactive outreach initiatives. The resolution also requests the university provide periodic updates to the legislature on its progress. It does not mandate changes or allocate funding, serving only as a recommendation to address growing student mental health needs.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests that health insurers and managed care providers in Hawaii cover prosthetic and orthotic devices for residents with limb loss or mobility impairments. It specifically aims to address barriers faced by over 18,000 Hawaii residents who currently lack access to activity-specific devices (like those for running or swimming) due to restrictive insurance policies. The resolution asks insurers to provide this coverage to reduce preventable health issues like diabetes and obesity, which disproportionately affect people with disabilities. It is a non-binding request, not a law, and directs copies to major insurance providers and the Insurance Commissioner for consideration.

Maddy summaryHR 143 is a House Resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to form a working group to assess how Volcano, Hawaii, can transition into a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The resolution addresses current environmental challenges in Volcano, including invasive species, Rapid Ohia Death, and forest degradation, aiming to align the area with the neighboring Hawaiian Islands Biosphere Reserve. The working group must develop strategies for native forest stewardship, community engagement, monitoring systems, and conservation planning to promote environmental sustainability and community well-being. This procedural resolution does not create new laws but directs state agencies to study the feasibility of this designation.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 100) urges the Hawaii Department of Education to strengthen farm-to-school programs. It directly affects Hawaii schools, local farmers (especially small/medium producers), and Native Hawaiian crop growers by requesting four specific actions: streamlining procurement rules for farmers, creating a statewide farm database, offering financial incentives for local food purchases, and ensuring culturally significant foods like kalo are included in meals. The resolution does not create new law but asks the Department to report progress by 2026 on implementing these measures to help meet a 2030 goal of sourcing 30% of school meal ingredients locally. It addresses barriers like complex contracts and logistics that hinder current efforts to reduce Hawaii’s reliance on imported food.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Maui County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to accelerate planning, funding, and construction of a permanent bridge replacing the aging Kulanihakoi Bridge (built in 1911). It specifically addresses the need to replace deteriorating temporary structures with a permanent solution to improve safety and flood resilience in South Maui. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally requests collaboration between these entities and community stakeholders.

Maddy summaryHCR 209 is a non-binding resolution urging the State of Hawaii to consider import substitution as a strategy for economic growth. It requests state agencies (including the Departments of Business, Agriculture, and Hawaii Technology Development) to identify sectors where local production could replace imported goods, aiming to reduce economic vulnerabilities from supply-chain disruptions. The resolution cites historical examples from Hawaii and Asian economies (like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan) that used import substitution to build domestic industries before transitioning to exports. It does not create new laws or funding but encourages state agencies to explore this approach for long-term economic resilience.

Maddy summaryHCR 86 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Education to establish an "Aloha Civics Working Group" to enhance civics education in public schools. The group, requiring specific members including the Superintendent of Education, university representatives, legislative staff, community organizations, and public members, must assess current civics programs, identify ways to integrate the Aloha Spirit's principles (kindness, unity, humility), develop teaching strategies, recommend educator training, and propose evaluation metrics. The group must submit its final report to the Legislature and Department of Education by January 2026, ahead of the next legislative session. This resolution directly affects Hawaii's public school curriculum and educator training by seeking to incorporate cultural values into civic learning.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 124) is a symbolic statement, not a law, affirming Hawaii's constitutional duty to protect freshwater flows that sustain nearshore marine ecosystems. It recognizes that freshwater from rivers, streams, and groundwater is essential for healthy coral reefs, native species like the 'o'opu fish, and traditional Hawaiian practices. The resolution urges state and county agencies to prioritize freshwater protection through management plans and public education, referencing Hawaii's Constitution (Articles XI, Sections 1 and 7) that require water resource conservation. It does not create new legal requirements but emphasizes the connection between freshwater health and marine ecosystem resilience. The resolution directly affects Hawaii's coastal communities, marine habitats, and Native Hawaiian cultural practices reliant on these ecosystems.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 80 requests the Hawaii Department of Education to establish an Aloha Civics Working Group focused on enhancing civics education in public schools. The working group will assess current civics programs, develop recommendations for integrating the "Aloha Spirit" (Hawaii's cultural principles of kindness, unity, and empathy) into the curriculum, and propose teacher training and evaluation metrics. The group must submit a report to the Legislature and Department of Education by 2026. This resolution directly affects Hawaii's public school system and educators through its recommendations for curriculum changes.

Maddy summaryHCR 139 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Office of Wellness and Resilience to develop a report addressing developmental needs of children born during the 2019-2025 pandemic. The report must examine trauma-informed care, current support services across state agencies (including education and health departments), impacts of the 2023 Maui wildfires, and resources for educators affected by pandemic-related stress. It specifically targets children born between 2018-2025 who experienced pandemic disruptions in early development, with a focus on vulnerable groups like Native Hawaiian and rural communities. The resolution does not create new programs but mandates a December 2025 report with recommendations for future support.