Sen. Michelle Kidani

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 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 Hawaii Senate resolution (SR 40) urges the U.S. government to develop a national biodiversity strategy. It requests a coordinated federal plan to protect ecosystems, conserve species, and align with international conservation standards. The resolution highlights Hawaii’s unique biodiversity challenges, including over 550 endangered species and low federal conservation funding relative to its ecological significance. As a non-binding request, it does not create new laws but calls for federal action to address the national biodiversity crisis.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 32 (SR 32) urges the University of Hawaii President and Board of Regents to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of Hawaii Maui College. Currently, Maui students complete associate nursing degrees locally but must leave the island to pursue BSNs, with most either enrolling in out-of-state programs or the Hawaii Statewide Nursing Consortium at UH Manoa. The resolution highlights Maui’s growing healthcare needs, available clinical placements, and the goal of creating a local pathway for nursing advancement without requiring students to relocate. It requests the Board of Regents allocate resources for faculty, curriculum, and facilities to develop the program, aiming to increase local nurse graduates and address statewide nursing shortages. This is a non-binding resolution, not a law, and focuses on encouraging UH system action.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 205) requests all Hawaii county police departments to purchase and deploy explosion detection technology to identify and respond to illegal gunfire and fireworks. It specifically cites technologies like ShotSpotter, which can detect explosions within 40 seconds to improve response times. The resolution requires police chiefs to ensure officers receive proper training on using this equipment. It does not mandate funding or create new laws but urges counties to adopt the technology for public safety. The request directly affects all 5 county police departments in Hawaii.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 43) requests the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to partner with the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) to collaboratively maintain and improve the Kihei Ramp in South Kihei, Maui. The ramp is used by the local community for recreational activities like fishing and diving, and KIRC relies on it for access to Kahoolawe and future visitor center plans. The resolution asks DLNR to work with KIRC to facilitate ongoing repairs, rehabilitation, and redevelopment of the ramp, potentially leveraging private investment. It does not create new laws or funding but formally encourages interagency collaboration for community and KIRC benefit.

Maddy summarySCR 89 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to form a working group that will develop an educational pathway at University of Hawaii community colleges for meat processing careers. It directly affects students seeking entry-level jobs in meat processing and addresses a current workforce shortage that limits local ranchers' ability to process and sell their products. The working group must create a curriculum covering food safety, animal handling, processing techniques, regulatory compliance, hands-on training, and sustainable practices. The goal is to equip students with skills needed to support Hawaii's agricultural industry and reduce reliance on imported meat.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 155 requests the State Auditor to conduct a management and performance audit of the University of Hawaii's Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy. The audit will examine how the office manages workforce pipelines from pre-school through college, aligns academic programs with Hawaii's job market needs, coordinates transfer agreements between universities and community colleges, and measures program success through performance metrics. This resolution does not create new laws but directs the Auditor to assess existing practices and provide recommendations for improvement. The findings must be reported to the Legislature by late 2025.