Maddy summaryHCR 159 is a Hawaii House concurrent resolution urging the U.S. Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus to reintroduce and advocate for the "Engage the Pacific Act." It does not create new law but formally requests the Caucus revive a previously considered bill (the Engage the Pacific Act) that would require the Secretary of State to establish a Pacific civil society engagement committee, improve U.S. communications strategy in the region, and fund education scholarships for Pacific Islanders. The resolution highlights the Act's goals of strengthening U.S. partnerships with Pacific Island nations amid regional security challenges and sovereignty threats. This is a symbolic legislative request with no direct legal effect or impact on specific constituents.
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Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 167) urges the State Department of Transportation and Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services to address pedestrian safety and traffic flow issues in Hawaii Kai and Kalama Valley. It specifically requests the installation of crosswalks near Kalama Valley Community Park and at Hawaii Kai Drive/Kealahou Street, the study and implementation of traffic calming measures to reduce speeding, and adjustments to traffic signal timing - including potentially converting left-turn signals to flashing yellow during low-traffic hours on Kalaniana’ole Highway. The resolution directly responds to documented safety concerns, including a 71% failure rate by drivers to yield to pedestrians at a key Hawaii Kai intersection. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses legislative support for these changes but does not mandate action.
Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 161) urges Hawaii's Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Land and Natural Resources to remove a parking lot and paid parking area on the grounds of Iolani Palace - the only royal palace in the U.S. where a monarch lived. It requests a cost analysis and proposed legislation by late 2025 to eliminate the parking, followed by restoring the grounds to reflect their historical landscape using archival photos. The resolution directly affects the management of Iolani Palace, a site of cultural significance to Native Hawaiians and a major tourist attraction. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests specific actions to preserve the palace's historical integrity.
Maddy summaryHCR 138 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Legislative Reference Bureau to study adopting fiscal notes into Hawaii’s legislative process. Fiscal notes would disclose the potential financial impact of bills on state/local government, a practice used in 44 states. The study must examine implementation methods (statute vs. rules), associated costs, public accessibility, barriers like staffing, and lessons from states like Colorado and Texas. It aims to inform whether Hawaii should require such disclosures before lawmakers vote. The Bureau must submit findings by early 2026.
Maddy summaryThis is a House Resolution (not a bill), urging the Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus to reintroduce and advocate for the "Engage the Pacific Act." It does not create new law but requests action on a previously proposed measure. The resolution cites that the 118th Congress considered this Act (which would require the State Department to establish a civil society engagement committee, develop a Pacific communications strategy, and support education scholarships), but it was not passed. The resolution aims to renew U.S. commitment to Pacific Island nations through this specific legislative proposal.
Maddy summaryThis non-binding House Resolution urges the University of Hawaii to extend its resident-tuition-equivalent rate (currently available only to students from the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau) to additional Pacific Island nations. It does not change tuition policy but requests the university update its qualifying nations list to include more Pacific Island neighbors, aiming to increase educational access for students from those regions. The resolution specifically references expanding beyond the current 150% resident-rate list (covering nations like American Samoa and Tonga) to align with the Freely Associated States' 100% rate.
Maddy summaryHCR 83 is a legislative resolution disapproving the 2025 Commission on Salaries' recommendation to increase salaries for Hawaii's governor, lieutenant governor, department heads, legislators, and judges. The legislature rejected these proposed increases, citing current economic conditions as "excessive," and directed the Commission to reconvene by November 2025 to review the disapproval reasons and submit a revised proposal for the 2026 legislative session. This resolution does not set new salaries but mandates the Commission to adjust its recommendations based on legislative feedback. As a procedural resolution (not a law), it affects the Commission's process rather than directly changing pay.
Maddy summaryHCR 166 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Accounting and General Services to analyze removing a parking lot adjacent to Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the U.S. where a monarch lived. It directs the department to submit a cost analysis by January 2026 and requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to redesign the grounds to match the palace's original historical landscape. The resolution aims to address the presence of modern parking infrastructure on the palace grounds, which the text describes as inconsistent with the site's status as a protected historical and cultural landmark for Native Hawaiians.
Maddy summaryHR 46 is a House Resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement and Department of Health to form a task force by August 1, 2025. The task force must include state agencies, Honolulu officials, legislative leaders, and community representatives to address no-trespassing policies along Oahu streams. Its key goals are developing humane enforcement practices, improving state-county coordination on encampments, connecting unhoused individuals to services, and mitigating environmental pollution from stream encampments. The task force must submit recommendations to the Legislature by August 2025, with a final report due before the 2026 legislative session. This is a procedural resolution that directs collaboration but does not create new laws.
Maddy summaryHCR 51 is a non-binding request urging Honolulu to build a new public swimming pool complex in the Forty-First House District on Oahu. It specifies the facility must include an Olympic-sized pool for exercise, a jetted hot tub, and a dedicated children’s pool to serve community recreation and health needs. The resolution formally asks the Honolulu City Council to fund and approve construction and the Mayor to endorse the project. It does not create new law but seeks to influence city planning priorities. This request directly affects residents in the Forty-First District who would gain access to new recreational facilities.