Sen. Glenn Wakai

Maddy summaryThis non-binding Senate Resolution (SR 46) requests Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to evaluate the potential cost-benefit of sponsoring a Michelin Guide for the state's restaurants. It aims to assess whether such a sponsorship could boost culinary tourism, attract skilled workforce talent (as noted in a 2022 tourism report), and elevate restaurant standards. The resolution does not mandate sponsorship but asks the department to review feasibility and return on investment. It directly affects Hawaii's restaurant industry and tourism promotion efforts, though no concrete policy change is enacted by the resolution itself.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 45) urges the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) to create a plan for producing enough housing to meet statewide demand. It highlights Hawaii's severe housing shortage, noting the state builds far fewer units annually (2,902) than needed, with critical gaps in housing for middle- and upper-income households (120%+ of area median income). The resolution requests HHFDC submit its plan to the Legislature by January 2026, emphasizing the need to address housing as a key factor in retaining residents and workers. As a procedural resolution, it does not enact new law but directs agency action.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to study creating a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award Program, modeled after France's Meilleur Ouvrier de France award. The study would examine how to recognize craftspersons in key trades (like carpentry, culinary arts, and floristry), including cost-effective implementation and industry input, and report findings to the Legislature by early 2026. It does not create the award program but seeks a feasibility assessment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 18) requests the Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to collaborate with the Department of Transportation to use existing inmate work furlough programs for state roadway and highway maintenance. It directly affects inmates participating in furlough programs (who gain work experience for reentry), the Corrections Department (which must coordinate the effort), and Transportation (which would gain additional maintenance staff). The resolution proposes using eligible inmates - already in furlough programs for reentry preparation - to perform routine road maintenance tasks like pothole repair and vegetation control. This is a procedural request, not a new law, aiming to support inmate rehabilitation while addressing workforce needs for highway upkeep.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 25) encourages all Hawaii counties to develop their own localized biosecurity plans to address invasive species threats. It specifically urges counties to prioritize their unique needs - based on local climate, agriculture, and infrastructure - while collaborating with state agencies like the Department of Agriculture and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council. The resolution does not create new legal requirements but promotes coordinated, county-driven strategies to protect ecosystems, agriculture, and public health from invasive species. It applies directly to all 5 Hawaii counties (Honolulu, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Molokai).

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 163 requests the University of Hawaii to study establishing an Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. It directs the university to assess its current research capabilities, evaluate benefits for Hawaii residents, and identify requirements to secure federal funding from the National Institute on Aging. The resolution requires the university to develop a phased plan with a timeline and submit a report by December 31, 2025. This resolution directly affects the University of Hawaii and aims to explore potential research opportunities for Alzheimer's disease, particularly considering Hawaii's unique demographic composition.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 16) requests the Commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to permit Honolulu's Department of Parks and Recreation to temporarily use 12 acres of vacant, non-contaminated land on the Pearl City Peninsula for youth sports programs. It directly affects local youth soccer, baseball, and flag football teams that lack sufficient city park fields. The resolution specifies the non-contaminated land (excluding a small PFAS-affected area) could host at least three ball fields, with contaminated zones reserved for parking, addressing a decades-long shortage of recreational space. The request stems from community input and the Navy's 1985 fire cleanup, which left the land unused for 30+ years.

Maddy summarySR 104 establishes a temporary task force called "SPEED" (Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development) to study and recommend ways to speed up state and local permitting for housing, commercial, and industrial projects in Hawaii. The task force will include representatives from 13 state agencies (like the Department of Business, Planning, and Housing) and 5 county planning departments, with a deadline to submit recommendations by late 2025. This resolution does not change existing laws but creates a working group to identify coordination improvements in permitting processes. The task force will operate from 2025 through 2027.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 67) urges Maui County, in coordination with the Maui Emergency Management Agency, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and the Department of Defense, to conduct real-time wildfire and disaster drills involving the Maui community. It specifically calls for community members to participate in planning, executing, and evaluating these drills to improve emergency response preparedness. The resolution emphasizes that such drills should familiarize residents with evacuation protocols and create opportunities for immediate feedback to refine response strategies. It does not create new law but formally encourages these agencies to adopt community-engaged disaster training practices.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 93 requests the City and County of Honolulu to display purple lights at City Hall on August 7 each year to honor National Purple Heart Day. This symbolic resolution commemorates military service members who were injured or killed in action, recognizing their sacrifices. It does not impose legal requirements on the city but asks for a visible annual tribute. The resolution is non-binding and focuses solely on honoring Purple Heart recipients through a public display.