Rep. Darius Kila

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally supports the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group's request for additional resources and an extended timeline to complete its work during fiscal year 2026-2027. The Working Group, composed of representatives from various Native Hawaiian organizations, was established to develop solutions for protecting Native Hawaiian intellectual property from inappropriate appropriation. By approving this request, the legislature acknowledges the need for sufficient time to conduct culturally appropriate community consultations and ensure the group's recommendations reflect the collective views of Native Hawaiians.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally supports the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group's request for additional funding and an extended timeline to complete its work through fiscal year 2026-2027. The resolution acknowledges the group's role in protecting Native Hawaiian cultural and traditional knowledge from misappropriation and recognizes the need for more time to conduct community consultations that reflect Native Hawaiian perspectives. By approving this request, the legislature affirms its commitment to honoring the state's constitutional duty to preserve Native Hawaiian rights and cultural assets. The measure does not create new laws or programs but serves as an official endorsement of the working group's operational needs.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to create a standardized swimmer classification system for public schools to improve water safety education. The bill directs the department to adopt a framework developed by Leahi Swim School and Na Kama Kai, which defines three proficiency levels: Swimmer, Water Safe Individual, and Water Smart Individual. Each level includes specific criteria such as swimming distances, treading water duration, stroke proficiency, and knowledge of ocean safety and environmental responsibility. The resolution aims to ensure consistent water-safety benchmarks across schools for physical education, athletics, and enrichment programs.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Education to work with teachers to create an artificial intelligence literacy curriculum for students in grades six through twelve. The bill requests that the curriculum be developed using peer-reviewed research, global AI literacy frameworks, and existing local resources while focusing on ethical use, equitable access, and regular assessments. By establishing this educational framework, the resolution aims to prepare students for an increasingly technology-driven workforce without mandating specific curriculum content or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the Hawaii Department of Education to officially recognize competitive cheerleading as a Title IX sport, which would grant high school cheer athletes the same resources and protections as other varsity sports. The resolution requests that the state education department develop guidelines and safety standards in collaboration with the Hawaii High School Athletic Association to meet federal criteria for classifying cheerleading as a sport. By doing so, the bill aims to ensure equitable access to certified coaching, athletic training, facilities, and transportation for female cheerleaders while promoting gender equity in school athletics. This is a non-binding resolution that calls for administrative action rather than creating new laws.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Department of Land and Natural Resources to work together on returning the state's small boat harbors to the Department of Transportation. The bill directs these two agencies to create a management team that will develop detailed plans for transferring staff, operations, and assets back to the Department of Transportation. The management team must prepare a report with recommendations for any needed legislation by early 2027 to ensure the transition happens smoothly without disrupting harbor services. This resolution serves as a planning step rather than an immediate transfer, as full legal authority changes would require separate legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to work with state and local agencies to evaluate how much infrastructure capacity exists around transit-oriented development areas in Honolulu. The assessment will focus on sewer and water systems to determine if current infrastructure can support future growth in neighborhoods near transit stations. The resolution directs the report to be shared with city officials, housing authorities, and transit planners to inform future development decisions. This measure aims to ensure that infrastructure upgrades are planned alongside new construction in areas designated for mixed-use neighborhoods near public transportation.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Hawaii's Public Utilities Commission to create a temporary working group to study the state's utility infrastructure, particularly in the City and County of Honolulu. The group will examine how well current utility systems can handle demand, how long existing coastal infrastructure is expected to last, and the costs of expanding services to support community growth. The working group includes representatives from government agencies, utility companies, and labor unions, and will produce an assessment of infrastructure capacity, lifespan risks, funding needs, and any permit-related strain on systems. This study aims to provide data for better community planning and ensure utility services can meet current and future demands.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Department of Transportation to create a grant program that provides financial assistance to property owners and small businesses affected by unplanned road closures, detours, or utility disruptions caused by state or county roadwork. The program would offer grants to those who can demonstrate verifiable losses in property access or business revenue due to these disruptions, with eligibility based on factors such as the duration and severity of the roadwork and the economic impact on the applicant. The Department of Transportation is asked to develop application criteria, collaborate with counties on joint roadwork projects, and submit a progress report to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session detailing the number of applications, grants awarded, and process timelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill declares that affordable housing credits issued under Hawaii state law are perpetual assets that remain valid until they are used to fulfill housing obligations, rather than having expiration dates. It directly affects counties and developers by requesting that local administrative agreements and policies do not impose time limits or restrictions on these credits beyond what state statutes authorize. The resolution aims to clarify that memoranda of agreement between counties and housing agencies are meant to facilitate credit management, not to diminish their value or transferability. By seeking alignment with existing state law, the bill intends to protect the financial incentives for developers and ensure a stable pipeline for affordable housing construction.