Rep. Garner Shimizu

Maddy summaryHCR 112 is a non-binding formal request urging the Honolulu City Council to adopt a "pedestrian first" policy through city ordinance. It directs the City Council to prioritize pedestrian safety in transportation decisions, referencing Honolulu's existing Oahu Pedestrian Plan and data showing high-risk areas cause 60% of pedestrian fatalities. The resolution does not create new laws but asks the city to formally adopt this policy framework for street planning. It specifically addresses the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Transportation Services and City Council members.

Maddy summaryHCR 58 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Hawaii State Energy Office to form a working group focused on geothermal energy. The working group, including state agency leaders, county planners, industry representatives, and community stakeholders, will evaluate regulatory barriers, permitting challenges, and policy gaps affecting geothermal development. It will assess geothermal’s potential to support Hawaii’s renewable energy goals and provide recommendations for policy reforms by early 2026. This resolution does not create new laws but directs an evaluation to address existing hurdles in developing geothermal energy.

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 19 is a resolution urging Hawaii's Governor to create a task force focused on improving public-military relations, directly affecting Hawaii residents and the over 42,000 military personnel stationed in the state. The task force would include the Governor, state legislative leaders, Honolulu's mayor, and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command commander, and must examine ways to share military resources like water, recreational facilities, housing, and employment opportunities with the public. It specifically directs the task force to consider how military assets could benefit communities, such as using military land for farming or water treatment technologies. The resolution requires the task force to submit its final report and recommendations to the Legislature by late 2025.

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 summaryHCR 145 is a resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Education and Department of Health to collaborate on creating a strategic plan for the state's potential participation in the CDC's national autism prevalence surveillance program. It directs these agencies to identify necessary resources, train staff, and establish data-sharing agreements to prepare for seeking federal funding under the Autism CARES Act. The resolution specifically aims to help Hawaii gather accurate autism data for its communities - particularly Native Hawaiian and Asian populations where prevalence is higher - supporting better service planning. Agencies must submit a progress report to the legislature by January 2026. This is a preparatory step, not a funding measure, focused on building infrastructure for future CDC collaboration.

Maddy summaryHCR 137 is a resolution urging the Hawaii Department of Transportation, Department of Education, and City and County of Honolulu to improve safety at the Kipapa Elementary School crosswalk on Kuahelani Avenue. It specifically recommends installing warning signage before the road curve, adding speed bumps with signage, placing "STOP Here for Pedestrians" signs 50 feet prior to the crosswalk, and adding solar-powered flashing signs at the crosswalk itself. These measures aim to address documented risks, including blind spots from parked cars and high traffic speeds, to better protect students crossing the busy thoroughfare. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests these visibility enhancements from relevant agencies.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 139) urges Hawaii's Department of Education, Department of Health, and relevant stakeholders to collaborate on a strategic plan to prepare for potential participation in the CDC's national autism prevalence surveillance program. It directly affects state agencies and community stakeholders by requesting they develop infrastructure for data collection, identify necessary resources, and engage providers to support CDC's autism monitoring efforts. The resolution focuses on gathering accurate autism prevalence data for Hawaii - particularly for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities where rates are higher - rather than creating new services or funding. It is non-binding and aims to position Hawaii to seek CDC funding under the Autism CARES Act, with a requirement for a progress report to the legislature by 2026.

Maddy summaryThis is a House Resolution (not a bill), urging three agencies to improve pedestrian safety at a specific crosswalk. It requests visibility enhancements - including warning signs before a curve, speed bumps with signage, and a solar-powered flashing crosswalk sign - for students at Kipapa Elementary School on Kuahelani Avenue in Mililani. The resolution cites existing safety risks like blind curves and parked vehicles, noting current crosswalk markings are insufficient. It does not create new law but formally asks the Department of Transportation, Department of Education, and City and County of Honolulu to implement these measures.

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.