Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa

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.

Requires the State Public Charter School Commission to submit an annual report on public charter schools before the opening day of each Regular Session of the Legislature. Requires the Board of Education to review and approve the annual report before the report is issued to the Governor, Legislature, and the public. Takes effect 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Authorizes the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center to transmit all expungement orders to the Judiciary to effectuate the purposes of Act 159, SLH 2023. (HD1)

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 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.

Maddy summaryHCR 188 is a concurrent resolution declaring climate change a public health emergency in Hawaii. It requires all state agencies - including Health, Transportation, Agriculture, and Land - to coordinate cross-departmental efforts to address climate-related health risks like extreme heat, disease spread, food insecurity, and mental health impacts. The resolution directs agencies to examine how their work affects public health and develop joint solutions, building on Hawaii’s 2021 climate emergency declaration. It does not create new laws or funding but mandates agency collaboration and reporting to the Governor and relevant department heads.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 185) requests the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to create a Kailua Bay Advisory Working Group. The group would address challenges at Kailua Pier - including vandalism, infrastructure damage, homelessness, and safety concerns - while coordinating among state, county, and community stakeholders. It would focus on preserving cultural and economic activities (like fishing, tourism, and events such as the Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe Race), ensuring sustainable pier operations, and monitoring issues like water quality. The resolution directly affects local residents, Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, businesses, and visitors relying on Kailua Bay. It is procedural and does not enact new law, but rather seeks collaborative management through a structured advisory process.

Maddy summaryThis Hawaii House Resolution (HR 182) declares a public health emergency due to climate change impacts and requests all state departments to coordinate cross-sector solutions. It directs agencies like Health, Transportation, and Agriculture to identify and plan for climate-related health risks - including heat, disease, food insecurity, and mental health impacts - directly affecting Hawaii residents. The resolution does not create new laws but mandates statewide collaboration to strengthen public health responses.

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.