Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that asks Hawaii's Insurance Division to create a working group to explore ways to protect residents from climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The working group would assess how extreme weather affects insurance exposure, review existing recovery mechanisms, and analyze legal options for seeking financial recovery from fossil fuel companies accused of contributing to climate disasters. The group would include state officials, committee chairs, insurance representatives, and experts, and must submit its findings and recommendations to legislative committees by May 2027 before dissolving in June 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill encourages the State of Hawaii to consider requiring automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all state-owned buildings and to pursue existing AED programs. AEDs are portable devices that can treat cardiac arrest by analyzing heart rhythm and delivering electrical shocks to restore normal function. The resolution highlights that survival chances decrease significantly with each minute a victim remains in cardiac arrest, making access to these devices and training important for public health. It directs the Director of Health and Comptroller to review the state's current AED policies and consider implementing requirements for state facilities.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to evaluate which emergency shelters can safely withstand hurricane-force winds and create a plan to strengthen the state's shelter capacity. The agency will identify all designated shelters, assess their structural ability to resist storms, and publish a public list showing each shelter's location and resilience level. Additionally, the resolution directs the agency to recommend improvements such as building upgrades and submit a final report to the Legislature by early 2027. This action is intended to help residents make informed decisions during evacuations and improve overall disaster preparedness.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution formally recognizes open water lifeguards in Hawaii as first responders, acknowledging their specialized training and critical role in emergency response. The bill highlights that these professionals are among the first to arrive at beach emergencies, providing medical aid, rescue services, and scene security similar to police and firefighters. While the resolution does not create new legal requirements, it urges state and county agencies to grant lifeguards the same rights, resources, and professional respect afforded to other first responders. The measure also encourages collaboration among public safety agencies to improve emergency response capabilities across Hawaii's ocean and shoreline environments.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution encourages the State of Hawaii to consider requiring automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all state-owned buildings and to pursue existing AED programs. The bill directly affects state agencies responsible for managing public buildings and health initiatives by prompting them to review current policies on life-saving medical equipment. It highlights the importance of AEDs for treating cardiac arrest and notes that training programs are essential for effective use, though it does not mandate specific actions. The resolution is non-binding and serves as a formal recommendation rather than a law, directing copies to the Director of Health and Comptroller for their consideration.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding resolution urging the state's Executive Branch to apply for and obtain the Certified Sustainable Destination designation from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council for Hawaii. The measure aims to encourage the state to adopt internationally recognized standards that balance tourism growth with the protection of cultural and natural resources while improving resident quality of life. By seeking this certification, the resolution seeks to align Hawaii's tourism strategies with global sustainability benchmarks and support existing state sustainability plans. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal recommendation to state officials to pursue this specific certification.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution formally recognizes open water lifeguards in Hawaii as first responders, acknowledging their critical role in public safety and emergency response. The resolution highlights that these professionals are among the first to arrive at beach and water emergencies, providing life-saving assistance, medical care, and scene management similar to police and firefighters. While the bill does not change laws or grant new legal powers, it serves as an official statement of recognition that encourages state and county agencies to provide lifeguards with the same rights, resources, and professional respect afforded to other first responders.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a state-level resolution from Hawaii urging the U.S. Department of Defense to extend the renewal period for medical authorizations related to the Red Hill water contamination crisis. It directly affects military personnel, their families, and civilian residents who were exposed to contaminated water at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu. The resolution requests a two-year renewal cycle for Secretarial Designee health care authorizations to improve continuity of care and asks the Defense Health Agency to expand access to civilian medical providers, implement coordinated referral practices, ensure long-term medical monitoring, and explore reimbursement programs for out-of-pocket medical costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that urges the County of Maui to adopt new ordinances establishing wildfire safety standards for plantation towns and other high-risk communities. It specifically recommends that Maui look to Kauai's recent ordinance as a model, which requires measures like ember-resistant construction, noncombustible zones around buildings, defensible space, and vegetation management. The resolution calls for integrating these wildfire safety requirements into zoning, permitting, and community planning processes for historic areas. It emphasizes learning from the 2023 Maui wildfires to better protect life, property, and cultural resources in communities where wildland and urban fire risks intersect.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution expresses support for expanding programs that increase tree canopy coverage and install shade trees in urban areas to reduce the effects of urban heat islands across Hawaii. It requests state and county agencies to collaborate on assessing heat exposure, canopy disparities, and opportunities to integrate tree planting into infrastructure and development projects. The resolution also asks agencies to evaluate best practices for tree selection and maintenance, and to establish statewide standards for urban tree canopy coverage. While it does not create new funding or mandates, it encourages coordinated efforts to improve public health, reduce energy costs, and address climate resilience through urban forestry initiatives.