Sen. Glenn Wakai

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 71) requests Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to create a pilot program testing microbial algae-based soil products on eligible farms. The program would target small-to-medium organic farms (10-100 acres) experiencing soil health issues or excessive fertilizer use, aiming to improve soil fertility and reduce chemical dependency. The Department must collaborate with the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and report findings to the Legislature by late 2025. This resolution does not create new law but formally asks the Department to initiate the pilot and assess its potential for broader agricultural use.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 113 (SR 113) urges Hawaii's Department of Education (DOE) to submit a detailed report to the legislature on the true costs of producing school meals. The resolution requires the DOE to provide itemized cost breakdowns - including ingredient sourcing, operational expenses, beverage costs, and distribution logistics - for the 2024-2025 and projected 2025-2026/2026-2027 school years. It also mandates data on meal types (full-price, reduced-price, free) and total costs to ensure transparency around proposed price increases (e.g., from $2.50 to $4.75 per meal). The report must be submitted 20 days before Hawaii's 2026 legislative session. This resolution does not change meal prices but seeks factual data to inform future decisions.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 42 urges all Hawaii counties to install at least one wheelchair-accessible swing and other basic accessible playground equipment in every county park playground, while requiring counties to create detailed maintenance plans. These plans must include weekly inspections, regular cleaning, safety surfacing upkeep, emergency repair protocols, and community engagement to ensure long-term safety and accessibility. The resolution specifically references compliance with federal ADA accessibility standards for equipment and mandates counties to develop these plans for all public playgrounds. As a non-binding resolution, it does not impose legal requirements but encourages counties to adopt these practices to make play spaces inclusive for children with disabilities.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 77 urges the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Maui County Department of Agriculture to address axis deer overpopulation by making USDA-certified meat processing more accessible and affordable for local hunters. It directs these agencies to form a task force to develop a program for distributing locally-hunted venison to the community, with a report due by November 30, 2025. The resolution focuses on reducing barriers to processing deer meat (venison) through improved access to USDA inspections and certified facilities.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 99) requests Hawaii's Department of Health to form a working group to study whether business owners could legally use filtered water collected from rainwater catchment systems for business purposes. Currently, state law permits captured rainwater only for personal household use, not business activities, despite its potential to reduce strain on aquifers during water shortages. The working group, composed of health officials, legislators, county water representatives, and public members, must assess feasibility, recommend testing protocols, and suggest compliance strategies, with a report due to the Legislature by 2027. This resolution does not change existing law but seeks to evaluate a potential policy adjustment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 159) urges Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to work with the Agribusiness Development Corporation to identify and access U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant opportunities. It does not create new laws or funding but encourages coordination between state agencies to help local farmers, ranchers, and agricultural organizations secure USDA grants. The goal is to support Hawaii's agricultural sustainability goals, including increasing local food production by 2030 as outlined in the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan. The resolution is a procedural request, not a binding mandate, directed at state agencies to collaborate on existing federal grant programs.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges Hawaii's state boards and commissions to conduct annual performance reviews of their Executive Directors (or equivalent roles exempt from civil service law). The reviews would assess how well these leaders meet state goals and statutory mandates, though the resolution itself is non-binding. It applies specifically to boards/commissions with exempt leadership positions, not to all state employees. The measure is procedural and does not create new legal requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 6) urges Hawaii's State Health Planning and Development Agency to create a working group focused on reducing delays caused by insurance prior authorization requirements. The group would include 15 members representing insurers, healthcare providers, consumers, and employers, plus agency officials, to study specific practices like 24-hour response times for urgent care and longer validity periods for medications. It requires the group to examine how prior authorization impacts timely care and propose solutions, including potential policy changes. The working group must submit its recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not change laws but seeks to inform future legislative action on insurance approval processes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 8) recognizes April 21-28, 2025, as International Dark Sky Week in Hawaii. It requests residents to support dark sky preservation and directs the Board of Land and Natural Resources to create a task force. The task force, including state officials, astronomers, tourism representatives, and federal agencies, will study light pollution reduction, energy conservation, wildlife protection, and strategies like dark sky parks. It does not create new laws but aims to guide future policy on preserving Hawaii’s natural night skies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 115) requests the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a Geothermal Energy Working Group. The group would evaluate Hawaii's current rules and policies affecting geothermal energy development, particularly to address regulatory barriers and permit challenges. The working group would include state agency leaders, county representatives, industry stakeholders, and community advocates. This resolution does not create new laws but aims to coordinate a review process to support Hawaii's renewable energy goals. It directly affects state agencies, local governments, and geothermal developers by initiating a structured evaluation of the policy environment.