Rep. Darius Kila

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 10) urges the City and County of Honolulu to create a permanent program compensating communities hosting landfills and establish a community-led advisory group. It specifically addresses health and financial burdens faced by residents near landfills, including increased asthma risks, medical costs, and home repairs due to dust pollution. The resolution cites a 2022 committee recommendation to formalize these benefits, building on past annual funding (2006-2009) for the Leeward Coast community. It does not create new law but formally requests Honolulu to implement these measures to support affected neighborhoods.

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 bill requests that Hawaii's Departments of Health, Human Services, and Education create a coordinated plan to address fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which affect individuals exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. The plan would explore establishing a statewide FASD coordinator, strategies for accessing federal funding, and methods to improve awareness and treatment services across the state. Departments are asked to include recommendations for training healthcare and education professionals, reducing reliance on foster care and the criminal justice system, and lowering economic barriers to early intervention. The departments must submit their findings and any proposed legislation to the Legislature by December 15, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the City and County of Honolulu and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a strategic plan for addressing homelessness and behavioral health needs on the Waianae Coast. The plan must include an analysis of emergency response times, hospital usage for psychiatric crises, available crisis beds, service gaps, and coordination between outreach teams and first responders. It also requires evaluating the feasibility of a regional crisis stabilization center and identifying any legal or budget changes needed to improve outcomes. Community-based service providers must be involved in developing the plan, which will be reported to the Legislature by March 2027.

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 bill requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a coordinated support system for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries facing homelessness or extremely low income. The key provisions require these agencies to assess the number of affected individuals, identify gaps in housing assistance, and evaluate options like transitional housing models on Department lands. Additionally, the agencies must explore funding sources, partner with nonprofit providers, and develop pilot program structures that comply with the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. The resolution mandates that a report on these efforts be submitted to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2027 Regular Session begins.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the U.S. Department of Defense to review and potentially reopen its environmental cleanup decisions at military sites in Hawaii, specifically regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). It calls for expanded investigations beyond areas previously linked to firefighting foam to include all historical uses of PFAS-containing materials, equipment, and waste streams at military facilities. The measure requests that the Department of Defense apply updated scientific knowledge and recent federal hazardous substance designations to assess groundwater, soil, and water contamination more thoroughly before closing sites.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution 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, led by the Hawaii Youth Symphony and including representatives from various arts, education, and government organizations, will gather information about existing programs, their geographic distribution, and the populations they serve. The group will develop a comprehensive database and interactive map to help identify gaps in access and underserved areas, while explicitly avoiding any assessment of program quality or effectiveness. The task force will submit interim and final reports to the Legislature by 2028 and 2030, respectively, to inform future policy and funding decisions.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to compile a comprehensive list of recommended safe patient staffing ratios for all nursing specialties across healthcare settings and maintain a public repository of this information. The bill directs the center to make this repository available to the public no later than twenty days before the start of the 2027 legislative session. It also urges healthcare facilities to consider implementing these recommended staffing standards. The resolution is based on findings that safe staffing levels improve patient outcomes and support nurse retention, and it directs copies of the measure to state health officials and hospital executives.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution formally endorses Waikiki as a World Surfing Reserve, recognizing the area's historical significance as the birthplace of surfing and its cultural importance to Native Hawaiian heritage. The resolution highlights Waikiki's unique combination of world-class surf breaks, ecological value, and economic impact as a major tourist destination, while noting threats like climate change and pollution. It directs copies of the resolution to local government officials and community leaders to encourage further protection efforts for the area's surfing ecosystem and natural resources.