Sen. Glenn Wakai

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Human Services to study the costs and benefits of creating an Office of the Child Advocate to oversee the state's child welfare system. The bill is prompted by recent high-profile cases of child abuse in foster care and previous findings that the department failed to properly license foster homes, leading to lawsuits and lost federal funding. The study would examine how an independent oversight office could conduct site visits, investigate complaints, review internal records, and issue recommendations to improve child safety and accountability. The department must submit its findings and any proposed legislation to the Legislature by the end of 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to hold at least two public community meetings before approving major energy projects that would be built in affected communities. The bill defines major energy projects as those costing $10 million or more, including solar farms, wind facilities, battery storage, and other infrastructure. While the resolution does not change law, it formally requests the commission to gather community input to address concerns about energy equity and ensure local residents have a voice in decisions that impact their neighborhoods. The measure aims to promote transparency and reduce conflicts that could delay construction of clean energy projects.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Department of Law Enforcement to expand an existing agricultural enforcement pilot program to the islands of Kauai and Maui. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies and farmers across Hawaii who face challenges from agricultural crimes such as trespassing, theft, and vandalism. The key provision is a formal request to extend the pilot program's scope from its current locations on Hawaii and Oahu to include Kauai and Maui, aiming to strengthen enforcement efforts in those areas. This resolution does not create new laws or penalties but instead asks the department to apply an already established program to additional islands.

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 markets for local high-value products. The study will analyze competitive advantages, calculate minimum profit margins needed to overcome Hawaii's high operational costs, and assess logistical barriers to exporting. It also asks the University of Hawaii to update its curriculum to teach entrepreneurs how to engineer products for premium export markets and requires the Agribusiness Development Corporation to use findings to guide future facility development.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges the Board of Land and Natural Resources to extend existing leases and subleases on Mauna Kea lands for an additional ten years. The bill directly affects the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, the University of Hawaii, and entities operating telescope observatories on the mountain. The resolution specifically requests the extension of the master lease agreement and all subleases currently in effect, which are set to expire on December 31, 2033. This action would allow continued astronomical research operations on the site under the existing legal framework established by Act 255 of 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Agribusiness Development Corporation to buy the fee simple interest in the Halaula Agricultural Parcel in north Kohala, Hawaii. The resolution directs the agency to complete the purchase of this specific land identified by tax map key (3) 5-3-7:15. A certified copy of the resolution will be sent to the Executive Director of the Agribusiness Development Corporation to implement the request. The measure is a procedural directive rather than a new law, focusing solely on authorizing a specific land acquisition action.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Human Services to study the costs and benefits of creating an Office of the Child Advocate to oversee child welfare services. The proposed office would conduct site visits, investigate complaints, review agency records, and issue annual reports with recommendations to improve oversight of children and families served by state programs. The resolution directs the department to determine whether the new office should be established as an independent entity or placed within an existing agency, with findings to be reported to the Legislature by early 2027.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to create artificial intelligence literacy curricula and programs for public schools. The bill aims to address the growing use of AI tools by students while ensuring they receive formal instruction on how to use these technologies responsibly and effectively. Key provisions include defining AI concepts, teaching ethical considerations, and incorporating local context related to Hawaii's history and culture. The Department of Education must submit the developed curriculum plans to the Legislature at least twenty days before the 2027 Regular Session begins.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the creation of a working group to address staffing shortages and security challenges at Hawaii state courts. The bill focuses on the Department of Law Enforcement's Sheriff Division, which is responsible for securing court facilities but faces persistent vacancies and increased duties without sufficient personnel. The working group will evaluate how to realign staffing levels with expanded responsibilities, improve recruitment and retention, and reduce reliance on private security contractors. Members will include top officials from the judiciary, law enforcement, human resources, and finance to develop structural solutions for long-term fiscal stability and public accountability.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks the Legislative Reference Bureau to study whether Hawaii should replace its current appointed Chief Election Officer with an elected Secretary of State to oversee elections. The study will examine existing laws governing election officials and outline the legal steps needed to make such a change, including any new legislation required. The bureau must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This proposal does not implement the change itself but rather initiates research to determine if and how the current election oversight structure could be altered.