Sen. Henry Aquino

Maddy summarySCR 22 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HEMA) to work with county emergency agencies to create outreach programs specifically for kupuna (Hawaiian elders aged 65+). It directly affects Hawaii's elderly population, which makes up over 19% of the state's residents and faces higher vulnerability during disasters due to health limitations and limited access to technology. The resolution asks HEMA to collaborate with city and county emergency management agencies to develop initiatives that inform kupuna about emergency preparedness. This is a procedural request, not a law, focused on improving communication and safety resources for an at-risk group.

Maddy summarySCR 142 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Office of the Auditor to audit the University of Hawaii at Manoa Athletics Department's financial management. It specifically directs the audit to assess whether the department's spending aligns with its policies and to evaluate its Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) program. The resolution cites a $2.1 million deficit in the department's 2024 finances and notes the lack of a master plan or sustainable funding strategy. This audit request directly affects the UH Manoa Athletics Department and its oversight.

Maddy summarySCR 21 is a concurrent resolution (not a law) requesting Hawaii's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide separate mental health counseling services for correctional facility staff. It directly affects correctional staff members, who face mental health risks from trauma exposure in their work. The resolution asks the department to use its operating funds to make these staff-specific services available - distinct from inmate mental health resources - potentially by hiring additional counselors. It does not mandate the action but urges the department to prioritize staff mental health through this request.

Maddy summarySCR 55 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Human Resources Development to conduct a comprehensive review of the Boiler and Elevator Inspection Branch. The review will assess staffing levels (currently at 19 positions after a 2021 cut), salary competitiveness (inspectors earn $20,000-$40,000 less annually than private sector roles), and operational efficiency, including a comparative analysis of similar branches in California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada. It specifically requires evaluating current inspector workloads, qualifications, salary scales, and identifying gaps to improve recruitment and retention. The Department must submit findings and recommendations, including potential legislation, to the Legislature by December 31, 2025. This resolution directly addresses a 74% inspection backlog (7,438 unprocessed elevators in 2024) to enhance public safety oversight.

Maddy summarySCR 67 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Department of Human Resources Development to coordinate with mental health agencies (including the Department of Health, Corrections, Education, and others) to address critical workforce vacancies. It asks these agencies to collaborate on solutions to expedite hiring, specifically targeting obstacles like outdated recruitment policies, stigma around mental health careers, and high burnout rates affecting staff retention. The resolution does not create new laws but formally requests inter-agency cooperation to improve the state’s public mental health care system. It directly affects state agencies responsible for delivering mental health services across Hawaii. The resolution was passed by the Senate in 2025 with the House concurring.

Maddy summarySCR 143 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's state boards and commissions to conduct annual performance reviews of their Executive Directors or equivalent staff members (who are exempt from standard civil service hiring rules). It directs these entities to evaluate whether such leaders are meeting state goals and statutory requirements. The resolution does not create new laws but formally recommends this practice to improve accountability. It applies to all boards/commissions with exempt executive positions, as specified in Hawaii's governance structure.

Maddy summarySCR 65 is a non-binding Senate Concurrent Resolution urging the Hawaii Stadium Authority to finalize a contract for constructing the new Aloha Stadium and to advance work on the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District (NASED). It does not create new law but formally encourages the Authority to complete these steps, referencing the project's completion of environmental reviews and selection of a preferred developer. The resolution highlights the project’s planned features: a new 25,000-seat stadium, mixed-use development (housing, retail, hotels), and alignment with economic and community benefits. It emphasizes the project’s readiness for construction after years of planning, environmental studies, and community engagement. The resolution has no legal effect but serves as a legislative recommendation to accelerate the stadium and district development.

Maddy summarySCR 24 is a Hawaii legislative resolution urging the U.S. Department of Defense to maintain public references to the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team on its websites. The resolution was passed in response to the Pentagon removing these historical references in March 2025 as part of a federal review of content related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It emphasizes preserving the history of these units - composed largely of Japanese American soldiers who served with distinction during WWII despite the internment of their families - to honor their contributions and prevent erasure of this significant historical memory.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 30) requests the Commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to temporarily allow Honolulu's Department of Parks and Recreation to use 12 acres of restricted vacant land on the Pearl City Peninsula for youth sports programs. It specifically proposes using non-contaminated portions of the land to create at least three ball fields for soccer, baseball, and flag football, while contaminated areas would be used for parking. The request aims to address a shortage of city ball fields for youth teams, as current demand exceeds available facilities. (Note: This is a non-binding request, not a law.)

Maddy summaryThis bill (SCR 112) is a ceremonial resolution requesting the City and County of Honolulu to illuminate City Hall with purple lights on August 7, 2025. It honors National Purple Heart Day, recognizing military service members injured or killed in action who have received the Purple Heart medal. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it simply asks Honolulu to display purple lights as a symbolic tribute on this specific date. The request is directed at the City and County of Honolulu, not a new legislative requirement.