Sen. Glenn Wakai

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution encourages the Hawaii Department of Education to introduce a basic swimming course at either the primary or secondary education level. The measure aims to address high drowning rates and water safety disparities by promoting access to swimming skills for students. It does not mandate funding or curriculum changes but serves as a formal recommendation to state education officials. The resolution is directed to the Superintendent of Education and the Chairperson of the Board of Education for their consideration.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General to study whether current self-defense laws need updating for agricultural lands. The bill directly affects farmers and ranchers who may face unique challenges due to the isolated nature of their work and limited access to law enforcement. The study will examine how existing self-defense standards apply to agricultural settings, consult with law enforcement and agricultural stakeholders, and compare Hawaii's laws with those of other states. The Attorney General must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027, potentially including proposed legislation. This is a procedural resolution that initiates a review rather than changing any laws immediately.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Board of Education and Department of Education to create a working group that will design a Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence for public school students. The proposed framework would recognize students who complete advanced coursework and hands-on projects focused on climate science, sustainability, and community resilience. The working group would include educators, university experts, industry representatives, and student leaders to develop course requirements, assessment criteria, and implementation timelines. The Department of Education must report its findings and any recommended legislation to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to expand and strengthen programs focused on financial literacy, credit readiness, and homeownership preparedness for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The bill directs the department to partner with financial educators, credit counselors, and community organizations to provide pre-award education, post-award support, and culturally responsive materials. Additionally, the resolution asks the department to identify funding opportunities and submit a detailed report to the Legislature by early 2027 outlining program improvements, participant numbers, and measurable outcomes related to lease stability and homeownership readiness.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of the Attorney General to create a working group focused on technology-facilitated abuse affecting youth and young adults. The group will include representatives from state agencies, domestic violence organizations, and youth commissions to study issues like digital stalking, spyware, and nonconsensual image sharing. The working group will assess current laws, evaluate platform safety practices, and review solutions from other states before submitting recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not create new laws but establishes a committee to study the problem and propose future policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Department of Law Enforcement to expand an existing Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program from the islands of Hawaii and Oahu to include Kauai and Maui. The program aims to address rising agricultural crimes such as trespassing, theft, vandalism, and illegal hunting by providing dedicated enforcement resources to protect farmers and food security. It does not create new laws but asks state agencies to extend a current pilot initiative to two additional islands where enforcement gaps currently exist.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a study on the state's food manufacturing strengths and identify strategic export markets for local high-value 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 based on the findings and requires collaboration with state agencies to align workforce development programs and future facility planning with the study's recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Departments of Health, Human Services, and Education to create a coordinated plan to address fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which affect approximately 840 babies born in the state each year. The plan would explore establishing a statewide FASD coordinator, strategies for accessing federal funding, and methods to improve awareness and training for healthcare providers and educators. The resolution outlines specific goals including reducing foster care and criminal justice involvement, lowering economic barriers to early intervention, and improving overall quality of life for affected individuals and families. Departments are asked to submit their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 15, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to work with several agencies to evaluate how much infrastructure capacity exists around transit-oriented development areas in Honolulu. The assessment will focus specifically on sewer and water systems to determine if they can handle future growth in these neighborhoods. This study aims to identify necessary upgrades and investments before new construction projects proceed in these designated zones. The resolution directs the findings to be shared with multiple city and state officials responsible for planning and development.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution urges state agencies to create a statewide peer counselor program for high school students to address loneliness and social disconnection. The bill asks the Department of Education, Department of Health, and Office of Wellness and Resilience to work together to develop a program that trains students in active listening, ethical boundaries, and culturally responsive practices. It emphasizes providing standardized training with clear referral pathways to licensed mental health professionals while prioritizing face-to-face peer relationships and culturally appropriate approaches. The resolution also requests the Hawaii State Youth Commission to help design and evaluate the program to ensure it meets student needs and maintains cultural responsiveness.