Rep. Daniel Holt

Maddy summaryHCR 192 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish a Native Hawaiian Economic Development Working Group. This group would identify economic initiatives directly benefiting Native Hawaiians and study gaming-related opportunities to spur economic growth, addressing documented disparities like a 57% poverty rate among Native Hawaiian households. The working group, including state officials, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and community representatives, must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by 2027. The resolution does not create new programs or funding but mandates a study to inform future policy. (HCR 192, 2025 Hawaii Legislature)

Maddy summaryHB 429 appropriates state funds to hire teachers and teacher assistants, and to purchase equipment and services for public preschool programs. It directly affects public preschools by providing resources to expand staffing and facilities. The bill's key provision is the allocation of dedicated funding, which will become available starting July 1, 2050. This legislation focuses on increasing early learning capacity through financial support, without changing existing program rules.

Provides that violent felons that are in violation of the prohibition against owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm or ammunition are subject to a mandatory prison term. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHCR 193 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to convene a working group to examine transferring management of Native Hawaiian burial sites (under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 6E) from the State Historic Preservation Division to OHA. It does not change laws but asks OHA to study this transfer following findings that current management has failed to adequately protect burial sites and involves inadequate resources and decision-making. The resolution cites a 2023 working group report identifying systemic failures in the State's administration of burial site laws and references OHA's constitutional role in representing Native Hawaiians. This request follows advocacy from burial site experts and aligns with OHA's statutory duty to advance Native Hawaiian interests.

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.

Amends the capital gains tax rate for individuals, estates, and trusts. Amends the alternative capital gains tax for corporations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summaryThis resolution encourages the Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to continue its existing I Hoa na Moolelo Project, which publishes a Hawaiian-language children's magazine for Kaiapuni (Hawaiian immersion) students and families. It directly supports Kaiapuni students and their families by promoting Hawaiian language use at home through accessible resources. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect but formally recognizes the importance of Hawaiian language preservation and urges the Center to expand its current efforts.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 186) requests the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to convene a working group to examine transferring management of Native Hawaiian burial sites from the State Historic Preservation Division to OHA. The bill does not change laws but asks OHA to study whether moving oversight of these sites - currently governed under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 6E - would better protect cultural practices. The resolution cites previous findings that current management has failed to adequately protect burial sites and aligns with OHA’s statutory role as Hawaii’s principal agency for Native Hawaiian programs. It focuses on procedural review, not policy implementation.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 121) requests the University of Hawaii to prioritize constructing a new building called "Halau o Kawaihuelani" at UH Manoa. The resolution asks the university to fund this capital project to address space constraints for the Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language, which currently shares cramped facilities in Spalding Hall. The proposed building would house the Center’s faculty/staff, Hawaiian language classrooms, and a performing arts space for Hawaiian music, dance, and theater. This is a procedural request to the university, not a binding law, directly affecting UH Manoa’s Hawaiian language programs and campus planning.