Rep. Garner Shimizu

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Department of Transportation and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to form a working group that will coordinate infrastructure planning for Hawaiian home land developments. The working group will include leaders from both departments, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and infrastructure experts to review overlapping projects and identify ways to reduce costs through synchronized planning. Specifically, the group will map out planned improvements over a five-year period, evaluate opportunities to combine construction efforts like road and drainage work, and assess potential cost savings from joint execution. The group is tasked with developing a standardized coordination process, identifying legal or procedural barriers to cooperation, and recommending any necessary changes to make coordinated planning permanent. The working group must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026 and will dissolve on June 30, 2027.

Maddy summaryHCR 8 is a concurrent resolution urging Hawaiian counties to approve building permits for home safety modifications within 45 days of receiving a complete application. It specifically targets modifications (like ramps or grab bars) recommended by a healthcare provider for older adults (62+) or people with disabilities, when the county deems them essential for safety or health. The resolution does not create new law but seeks to reduce delays that contribute to fall risks and hospitalizations, emphasizing counties must act on complete applications within the 45-day timeframe.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges Maui Health to partner with state agencies and medical stakeholders to create a full-time medical residency program on Maui, addressing a critical shortage of physicians that worsened after the 2023 wildfires. The bill specifically recommends using federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding to cover initial costs while seeking additional resources from grants and private partnerships. It requests collaboration with the John A. Burns School of Medicine and local health centers, and asks Maui Health to submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027. This non-binding resolution aims to improve access to primary care and specialist services for Maui's underserved population without mandating specific actions.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution formally recognizes 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in Hawaii, aligning with a United Nations designation. The measure highlights the ecological, economic, and cultural importance of Hawaii's rangelands, which cover over one million acres and support ranchers who contribute more than $50 million annually to the state economy. It encourages state agencies, the University of Hawaii, and local organizations to promote education and research on rangeland management while recommending policies that conserve these lands and protect ranchers' livelihoods. The resolution is transmitted to key state and local officials, including the Governor, Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii President, and county mayors.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Education and Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to jointly create a Farmer-to-Institution Coordination Plan aligned with the AINA Kitchen Network rollout. The plan would identify specific crops and products needed by the new regional kitchens, assess gaps between current local production and future demand, and outline strategies to help farmers scale their operations through infrastructure investment and multi-year contracts. The resolution also requires the plan to include a timeline with measurable milestones that match the phased construction schedule of the AINA Kitchen Network. This initiative aims to address systemic procurement challenges and ensure local farmers can meet the growing demand for locally sourced school meals.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to create a committee to plan a new K-12 Hawaiian language immersion school in Kapolei. The committee would include education officials, teachers, community members, and parents to develop an action plan that addresses facility needs, teacher recruitment, and curriculum development. The resolution outlines a phased timeline to open kindergarten through second grade by the 2027-2028 school year, with additional grades added in subsequent years. It also requests that the Department of Education allocate initial faculty and administrative positions to support the program's launch.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the State Building Code Council to create a new set of basic shelter standards that would allow for low-cost, rapidly deployable housing solutions during emergencies. The bill aims to address Hawaii's housing shortages by establishing minimum safety and sanitation requirements for temporary housing like prefabricated units and single-wall homes, which currently cannot be built under standard building codes due to stricter permanent housing requirements. These basic shelter standards would only be used during declared emergency proclamations for natural disasters or other crises, and the housing would be limited to government agencies and nonprofit organizations to prevent profit-driven misuse. The resolution also includes a pathway for these temporary units to be converted to permanent housing if they later meet full building code standards, while requiring consultation with local officials and stakeholders to ensure the standards are appropriate for Hawaii's climate and cultural context.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution directs the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a study on the state's food manufacturing strengths and strategic export markets. The study will assess competitive advantages, define high-value products, analyze production costs, and identify logistical barriers to international trade. It also requests collaboration with the University of Hawaii and other agencies to update educational programs and align funding with identified export opportunities. The resolution aims to support small businesses in scaling production for premium markets while accounting for Hawaii's high operational costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting to create a countywide housing pattern book containing pre-approved residential designs that meet safety and building codes. The pattern book aims to speed up permit approvals and lower regulatory barriers for building safe, affordable homes on Oahu. It includes designs for various housing types like accessory dwelling units and mid-rise buildings, incorporates climate-responsive features suited to Hawaii, and requires collaboration with architects, builders, and community stakeholders. The bill also calls for a public design competition to generate innovative options and mandates that the final pattern book be made publicly available to streamline construction processes.