Sen. Brenton Awa

Maddy summarySCR 189 is a procedural resolution requesting the State Auditor to audit how the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) used $600 million in funds appropriated under Act 279 (2022). It specifically requires an audit of DHHL's spending to eliminate the waitlist for native Hawaiian beneficiaries, as the department has not submitted its required Annual Activity Report for 2024. The resolution stems from concerns that over 28,700 beneficiaries remain on the waitlist despite the funding, and DHHL reportedly allocated the full $600 million by early 2025 without proper reporting. This is a transparency measure, not a policy change, directly affecting DHHL's accountability for public funds.

Maddy summarySCR 185 is a concurrent resolution urging the Hawaii Legislature to require mandatory inquiries into all child fatalities and serious injuries involving children in state child welfare services. It directly affects the Department of Human Services (DHS) and child welfare cases, seeking to replace reliance on costly lawsuits with systematic investigations. The resolution requests that DHS conduct these inquiries for every incident, rather than waiting for legal action after harm occurs. It cites numerous past cases where DHS failed to act on warnings, leading to preventable deaths and injuries, but does not create new laws or alter existing policies.

Maddy summarySCR 186 is a Hawaii Senate resolution requesting the Federal Housing Finance Agency to direct Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to reduce or repeal a specific insurance requirement (Guide Section 4703.2) for condominiums. This requirement currently mandates that condo master insurance policies cover 100% of the replacement cost for all common elements and structures. The resolution aims to lower this threshold, directly benefiting Hawaii's approximately 2,000 condo associations and 350,000+ residents facing high insurance costs and financial strain under the current rule. The request seeks to ease the burden of expensive special assessments on unit owners by making insurance more affordable and accessible.

Maddy summarySCR 191 is a concurrent resolution passed by the Hawaii State Legislature requesting the U.S. Transportation Secretary to initiate a performance review of the Honolulu Rail Transit Project under the federal Amended Full Funding Grant Agreement. The resolution cites the project's significant cost overruns (increasing from $5.5 billion to $12.45 billion) and delays (completion pushed from 2020 to 2030) as justification for the review. It specifically asks the Transportation Secretary to assess whether the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) is making satisfactory progress to complete the rail system. The resolution aligns with federal oversight mechanisms outlined in the Amended FFGA and follows recent federal actions on similar transportation projects.

Maddy summarySCR 206 is a non-binding resolution requesting four Hawaii agencies - Hawaiian Home Lands, Land and Natural Resources, the University of Hawaii, and the Land Use Commission - to provide enhanced public notice for land use or boundary changes. It requires agencies to notify the public within 30 days of permit applications, hold at least three public meetings, and share details via newspaper, direct mail to affected residents, and agency websites. The bill aims to improve community transparency and input ahead of projects like the Kahuku windmill or TMT, which faced opposition due to limited early engagement. This resolution does not mandate compliance but formally asks agencies to adopt these notice standards.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 181) requests four Hawaii state agencies - the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii, and Land Use Commission - to improve public notice for land use or boundary changes. It requires agencies to provide notice within 30 days of permit applications, hold at least three public meetings, and share details via newspaper, mail to affected residents, and agency websites. The resolution directly affects communities near proposed land changes by ensuring they receive clearer, earlier information about projects impacting their area. It does not create new laws but asks agencies to adopt enhanced notification practices for greater transparency.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 187) requests the Hawaii Auditor to conduct an audit of the Real Estate Commission's oversight of real estate management entities that handle condominium properties under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 514B. The audit will specifically examine whether the Commission effectively monitors financial practices (like improper foreclosures and fines), transparency issues (such as refusal to share documents), and enforcement gaps affecting condominium owners. The resolution asks the Auditor to assess if current oversight is sufficient and to recommend improvements to better protect homeowners. This is a procedural request - not a law - and focuses on evaluating existing processes, not changing them.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 190) urges the City and County of Honolulu to complete construction of the Waianae Police Station, which opened in 2016 but remains non-operational due to unfinished infrastructure. The resolution notes $16 million has already been spent on the station's structure (including 16 holding cells and parking), with an additional $6 million needed to install necessary equipment and systems. It cites rising crime in West Oahu - including over half of Oahu's homicides in 2023-2024 occurring in the Waianae area - as context for the urgency. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests Honolulu officials complete the project to make the station fully functional.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the newly established Honolulu Ocean Safety Department to create a drone training program. It cites benefits like improved marine life monitoring, enhanced search-and-rescue operations, and better beach surveillance - similar to the Honolulu Fire Department's existing drone use. The resolution specifically notes the department currently lacks aerial surveillance capabilities despite its mandate to handle ocean safety on Oahu. It does not create new law but formally requests this operational enhancement.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 188) urges the newly established Honolulu Ocean Safety Department to create a drone training program. It recommends implementing this program to improve beach safety operations, including monitoring marine life (like sharks), locating swimmers, enhancing search-and-rescue missions, and delivering flotation devices, as demonstrated by the Honolulu Fire Department's existing drone use. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests the department adopt this training to strengthen its ocean safety services.