Rep. Joe Gedeon

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution nominates John D. Waihe'e III for induction into Hawaii's Aloha Order of Merit, a legislative body that honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the state. The resolution recognizes his historic role as the first Native Hawaiian to serve as a U.S. state governor and highlights his achievements in education, healthcare, economic development, and Native Hawaiian rights advocacy. The bill directs the transmission of certified copies to the Governor, the Aloha Order of Merit Committee, and Governor Waihe'e III himself, following the statutory criteria for induction established in Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Hawaii's Department of Education to officially recognize competitive cheerleading as a Title IX sport. It urges state officials to develop guidelines and safety standards that align with federal requirements for equal athletic opportunities. The resolution directs the Department of Education to work with the Hawaii High School Athletic Association to establish rules for coaching, facilities, and oversight. This measure seeks to ensure high school cheer athletes receive resources comparable to other varsity sports.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding resolution that expresses the legislature's support for expanding programs to increase tree canopy coverage and install shade trees in urban areas across Hawaii to combat urban heat islands. It directly affects state and county agencies, which are asked to collaborate on assessing heat exposure, identifying priority areas for tree planting, and integrating shade tree strategies into future development projects. The resolution outlines specific areas for review, including disparities in canopy access, coordination with community partners, and best practices for tree maintenance, while also requesting that copies be sent to key state officials and county mayors.

Maddy summaryThis bill 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 will develop a comprehensive database and geographic map to identify where arts programs exist, who they serve, and where access gaps may occur. The group will include representatives from schools, nonprofits, government agencies, and community organizations, and will submit reports to the Legislature by 2028 and 2030. The database will focus on mapping program availability and distribution without evaluating program quality or outcomes.

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to develop an alternative pathway for a visiting international educator permit aligned to the duration of the educator's J-1 visa program. Permits the Department of Education and charter schools to hire unlicensed individuals as teachers on an emergency basis for five, rather than three, years. Requires HTSB to extend the five-year period in the case of a declared state of emergency. Requires the Department of Education to provide support to assist emergency hires in meeting the requirements of licensure and require the training be mandatory for emergency hires in their fourth and fifth years. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii Department of Transportation to fix and update its administrative rules for the Driver Education Program based on recommendations from a state auditor's report. The auditor found that the department has not certified any driver education curricula for over twenty years and lacks proper oversight and clear policies for instructor certification. As a result, the bill asks the department to establish curriculum task forces, certify required materials, and create consistent procedures for instructor training and renewal. The department must also submit a report on its progress and updated rules to the legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 28th as Hawaii Good Neighbor Day to encourage residents to participate in community-building activities that strengthen local connections. The resolution recognizes the national Good Neighbor Day tradition and highlights how similar initiatives in cities like San Francisco, Boston, and Phoenix have fostered neighborhood engagement through events like block parties and volunteer projects. By officially acknowledging this day, the legislature aims to promote asset-based community development where neighbors support one another and utilize existing community strengths. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition to inspire civic participation and social cohesion across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to create a standardized swimmer classification framework for public schools to improve water safety and equity. The resolution asks the department to adopt a specific system developed by Leahi Swim School and Na Kama Kai, which defines three proficiency levels: Swimmer, Water Safe Individual, and Water Smart Individual. Each level includes specific criteria such as swimming distances, treading water, stroke proficiency, and knowledge of ocean safety and environmental stewardship. The framework is intended to guide physical education, athletics, and enrichment programs by establishing clear benchmarks for student water competency.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the Hawaii Department of Education and Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to create a joint plan that connects local farmers with the new AINA Kitchen Network, a statewide system of regional kitchens designed to serve school meals. The resolution calls for the two agencies to work together with other partners to identify which crops and proteins the kitchens will need, assess current local production capacity, and develop strategies to help farmers scale up their operations. Key provisions of the requested plan include securing multi-year contracts to give farmers the stability needed to invest in infrastructure, providing technical assistance and workforce development, and ensuring supply meets the phased rollout of the kitchen network. The bill aims to address past procurement failures and funding gaps while supporting Hawaii's goal of sourcing 30% of school meal ingredients from local producers by 2030.

Maddy summaryThis 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.