Rep. Mahina Poepoe

Maddy summaryHCR 190 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Health to convene a Demolition Waste Reduction Working Group. It aims to address Hawaii's landfill capacity crisis by reducing construction and demolition waste, which makes up 21-40% of landfill mass, and aligning with the state's 2045 carbon neutrality goals. The working group would include health department leadership, industry representatives (construction, demolition, reuse, waste management), and community groups to develop strategies for scaling material reuse, removing barriers, and creating policy incentives. The group must submit annual reports with recommendations to the legislature, focusing on environmental justice and reducing landfill reliance. This resolution directly affects the construction sector, waste management industries, and communities near landfills disproportionately exposed to waste-related health risks.

Amends the Department of the Attorney General pilot project for a state-initiated expungement process of arrest records concerning promoting a detrimental drug in the third degree to include the possession of any schedule V substance in any amount. (HD1)

Authorizes the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center to transmit all expungement orders to the Judiciary to effectuate the purposes of Act 159, SLH 2023. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHCR 104 is a concurrent resolution urging the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) to strengthen farm-to-school programs. It directly affects Hawaii public schools, farmers, and the DOE by requesting specific actions to meet Act 175’s goal of sourcing 30% of school meal ingredients locally by 2030. Key provisions include streamlining procurement for small farms, creating a statewide farm database, offering financial incentives for local food purchases, and ensuring culturally significant foods like kalo are included. The resolution requires the DOE to submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2026. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws but formally requests the DOE take these steps.

Maddy summaryHCR 199 is a non-binding concurrent resolution urging the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to prioritize restoring and protecting wetlands and anchialine pools. It specifically requests the department apply wetland protection policies to anchialine pools (unique Hawaiian coastal ecosystems) and asks Maui County to prioritize wetland conservation in Kihei over development where possible. The resolution emphasizes these natural areas' roles in filtering water, protecting coral reefs, supporting endangered species, and reducing flood risks. It does not create new laws or funding but expresses legislative support for existing environmental protections.

Maddy summaryHCR 125 is a concurrent resolution requesting the University of Hawaii to prioritize constructing "Halau o Kawaihuelani," a dedicated building for Hawaiian language and cultural programs. It directly affects the Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language and the Kamakakōkālani Center for Hawaiian Studies at UH Mānoa, which currently operate in separate campus locations (Spalding Hall and the Kamakakōkālani building) due to space constraints. The resolution seeks to consolidate these programs into one facility to support Hawaiian language classes, faculty offices, and a performing arts space for Hawaiian music, dance, and theater. This would address current challenges with physical separation hindering collaboration and accommodating growing student enrollment (over 1,000 students per semester in language courses). The resolution formally asks the University of Hawaii leadership to prioritize this project but does not mandate construction.

Maddy summaryHCR 124 is a non-binding legislative resolution encouraging the Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to expand its I Hoa na Moolelo Project. This project provides a quarterly children’s magazine in Hawaiian for students in grades 2-6 at Kaiapuni schools on Oʻahu. The resolution specifically asks the Center to create more learning resources and opportunities for Hawaiian language use at home and in communities. It directly supports Kaiapuni students, families, and educators by promoting Hawaiian language immersion beyond school hours. The resolution does not create new law but formally recognizes the Center’s existing work in language revitalization.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution requests collaboration between Hawaii's Department of Transportation, Department of Education, and Maui County Department of Public Works to address traffic and safety concerns at Haiku Elementary School. It directs these agencies to assess current traffic patterns, explore infrastructure improvements like signage and crosswalks, and develop solutions for school drop-off/pick-up congestion. The resolution requires them to consult with parents and community members and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026. It does not create new laws but formally asks these agencies to work together on a specific local issue.

Maddy summaryHCR 186 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Education, with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to study how public and charter schools manage heat exposure during outdoor student activities. It directs the study to assess current practices, evaluate using wet-bulb globe temperature measurements (a standard for measuring heat stress), and develop guidelines if current methods are insufficient. The guidelines would cover hydration protocols, staff training for heat illness symptoms, accommodations for students with medical conditions, and acclimatization plans for outdoor activities like sports, recess, and marching band. The study must be completed and submitted to the Legislature by January 2026, with any proposed plan due by January 2027.

Maddy summaryHCR 185 is a resolution requesting the state Auditor to conduct a social and financial assessment of a proposed mandate requiring health insurers to cover Native Hawaiian healing practices (like lomilomi massage and ho'oponopono) offered at federally qualified health centers. This follows Hawaii law (HRS §23-51) that requires such an assessment before mandating insurance coverage for specific health services. The resolution specifically references House Bill 641, which proposes expanding existing insurance mandates to include these cultural practices. The Auditor’s report must evaluate the impacts and be submitted to the Legislature before the 2026 session.