Sen. Mike Gabbard

Maddy summarySCR 75 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting Maui County to hire one full-time archaeologist to guide historic preservation efforts during Lahaina's rebuilding after the 2023 wildfires. The resolution specifically addresses the absence of archaeological oversight in current rebuilding plans and asks the County to employ this role to preserve cultural landmarks and comply with preservation mandates. The archaeologist would collaborate with rebuilding entities to protect Lahaina’s irreplaceable heritage sites, including centuries-old structures destroyed in the fires. This resolution is a non-binding request, not a law, directed solely at Maui County’s planning process.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution requests all Hawaii county police departments to purchase and deploy explosion detection technology to locate and respond to explosions from illegal firearms and fireworks. It specifically asks departments to adopt systems like ShotSpotter (cited as a widely used example) that can identify explosion sources within 40 seconds, improving response times. The resolution also requires police chiefs to provide officer training on using this technology. It does not mandate funding or require specific vendors, but encourages adoption based on reported benefits observed in other jurisdictions.

Maddy summarySCR 26 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to include circuit and district court facilities within the new Oahu Community Correctional Center in Halawa, and to establish a release procedure that transports people leaving custody to locations other than residential areas or public spaces. This aims to reduce transportation costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and traffic congestion by eliminating frequent court trips from Halawa to Honolulu, while addressing community safety concerns about releases into neighborhoods. The resolution does not create new law but asks the Department to consider these specific planning requirements during the facility's design phase. It directly affects the planning of the new Halawa facility, the Judiciary's court operations, and surrounding Halawa communities.

Maddy summarySCR 92 is a resolution requesting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to establish and host educational forums for the Native Hawaiian community about how the legislative process works. These forums would cover topics like drafting bills, submitting testimony, and participating in committee hearings, using in-person workshops, virtual sessions, and community outreach. OHA must also provide an annual report to the legislature detailing the forums' activities, participation rates, and outcomes. This resolution does not create new law but directs OHA - a state agency responsible for Native Hawaiian programs - to enhance community engagement through structured educational opportunities.

Maddy summarySCR 59 is a non-binding concurrent resolution requesting 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. This ramp provides South Maui community access for recreation like fishing and diving, and is used by KIRC for access to Kahoolawe Island. The resolution asks DLNR to work with KIRC on ongoing repairs, rehabilitation, and redevelopment of the ramp, including potential visitor center development. As a procedural resolution (not a law), it has no legal force but formally requests interagency collaboration to support community access and facility improvements.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 98 urges Hawaii's Department of Education to collaborate with the Department of Transportation, Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee, and the County of Hawaii to assess safety at school bus stops on Hawaii Island. The resolution requests a detailed inventory focusing on specific infrastructure factors like sidewalks, lighting, traffic patterns, and hazards, to identify improvements needed for children traveling to school. It requires a report with prioritized safety recommendations to be submitted to the Legislature before the 2026 session. This non-binding resolution directly affects students relying on school transportation in Hawaii Island communities, particularly in rural or underserved areas.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 35 requests the Legislative Reference Bureau to partner with the Hawaii State Public Library System to identify rural and underserved communities (particularly on neighbor islands and rural Oahu) lacking telecommunication access for participating in state legislative meetings. It directs them to develop an outreach program using public library resources - such as free internet, videoconferencing, and devices like Chromebooks - to help residents engage remotely, reducing travel costs and barriers. The resolution requires a report to the Legislature by 2026 detailing findings and recommendations for improving public access. This procedural resolution focuses on infrastructure collaboration, not policy changes, to enhance civic participation.

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 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 summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 207) requests Hawaii's Department of Transportation to install and use electronic scanning equipment at all state airports and harbors to detect illegal fireworks. It directly affects travelers and cargo entering Hawaii by aiming to prevent the illegal importation of fireworks, which the resolution states threaten public safety, cause fires, and harm the environment. The resolution specifically asks the DOT to implement this screening at airports and harbors, with special consideration for commercial harbors to avoid disrupting commerce. This is a non-binding request, not a law, so the DOT may choose to act on it.