Rep. Mahina Poepoe

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to work with state and county agencies, community organizations, and Native Hawaiian leaders to create a comprehensive statewide food security strategy. The plan aims to address high rates of food insecurity affecting households, particularly children and marginalized communities, by assessing access barriers and recommending policy changes. Key requirements include reducing food costs, expanding access to nutritious and culturally appropriate foods, and aligning efforts with existing county food plans. The Department must submit the strategy to the Legislature by the beginning of the 2028 session to inform future policy and funding decisions.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the creation of an Arts Data and Mapping Task Force to conduct a statewide survey of arts and arts education programs across Hawaii. The task force, led by the Hawaii Youth Symphony and including representatives from various arts, education, and government organizations, will gather information about existing programs, their geographic distribution, and the populations they serve. The group will develop a comprehensive database and interactive map to help identify gaps in access and underserved areas, while explicitly avoiding any assessment of program quality or effectiveness. The task force will submit interim and final reports to the Legislature by 2028 and 2030, respectively, to inform future policy and funding decisions.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to compile a comprehensive list of recommended safe patient staffing ratios for all nursing specialties across healthcare settings and maintain a public repository of this information. The bill directs the center to make this repository available to the public no later than twenty days before the start of the 2027 legislative session. It also urges healthcare facilities to consider implementing these recommended staffing standards. The resolution is based on findings that safe staffing levels improve patient outcomes and support nurse retention, and it directs copies of the measure to state health officials and hospital executives.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to create a committee to plan a new K-12 Hawaiian language immersion school in Kapolei. The committee would include education officials, teachers, community members, and parents to develop an action plan that addresses facility needs, teacher recruitment, and curriculum development. The resolution outlines a phased timeline to open kindergarten through second grade by the 2027-2028 school year, with additional grades added in subsequent years. It also requests that the Department of Education allocate initial faculty and administrative positions to support the program's launch.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges Hawaii state agencies to create a statewide peer counselor program for high school students to address loneliness and social disconnection. The proposed program would involve collaboration between the Department of Education, Department of Health, and Office of Wellness and Resilience to train students in active listening, ethical boundaries, and culturally responsive practices. Student peer counselors would serve as trained points of connection within schools, promoting belonging and helping identify students experiencing isolation while referring them to licensed mental health professionals when needed. The resolution recommends implementing the program in phases starting with pilot programs in select schools and includes the Hawaii State Youth Commission in program development and evaluation.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit an annual report on the Hawaii Genuine Progress Indicator (HI GPI) to the state legislature, starting in 2027. The report would provide a comprehensive assessment of the state's economic, social, and environmental well-being using metrics that go beyond traditional measures like GDP. The bill requires the report to include an executive summary, detailed indicator results across economic, social, and environmental categories, methodology explanations, policy implications, and supporting data tables. The department must also make the report available online and send copies to relevant legislative committee chairs.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges the 'Aha Moku Advisory Committee to follow its adopted Rules of Practice, comply with Hawaii's Sunshine Law for public transparency, and conduct a performance review of its Executive Director. The measure directly affects the Advisory Committee, which advises the state on Native Hawaiian traditional resource management practices and receives annual public funding. Key provisions call for the committee to hold properly noticed public meetings, maintain administrative records like agendas and minutes, and establish consistent policies for managerial accountability. The resolution does not create new laws but instead requests the committee to fulfill its existing statutory duties and improve oversight of its operations.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to expand financial literacy, credit readiness, and homeownership preparedness programs for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The bill directs the department to partner with financial educators, credit counselors, and lenders to offer pre-award education, post-award support, culturally responsive materials, and grant identification. The department must submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027 detailing program improvements, participant numbers, and outcomes related to lease stability and credit improvement. This measure focuses on administrative planning and program enhancement rather than creating new funding or changing existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the Hawaii Departments of Land and Natural Resources and Transportation to clarify who is responsible for the Honopou Bridge on east Maui and coordinate efforts to address safety, wildfire risk, and emergency access concerns. The bridge, which serves as a critical route for residents and emergency responders, has conflicting load capacity assessments that may prevent modern fire trucks and ambulances from crossing safely. The resolution directs state agencies to conduct community outreach, assess the bridge's structural condition, identify access restrictions, and develop a repair or replacement plan within 20 days before the 2027 legislative session. It also requires the agencies to identify funding sources and submit a detailed report to the Legislature outlining their findings and implementation timeline.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution urging the Department of Land and Natural Resources to prioritize issuing a water set-aside to the County of Maui through an executive order by the Governor. The resolution addresses water management in East Maui, specifically the Nahiku, Ke'anae, Honomanu, and Huelo State License Areas, where drought conditions have reduced water availability for residents, businesses, and farmers. The bill calls on state agencies to support the County's efforts to manage public trust water resources, citing constitutional obligations and the public trust doctrine. It highlights potential benefits such as funding for water system repairs, reduced water costs for residents and farmers, and watershed restoration, while noting that the County has already established a local water authority through a voter-approved charter amendment.