Establishes the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program to honor individuals who have made considerable and outstanding contributions to the State and serve as inspirations to others. (HD1)
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges the County of Hawaii and City and County of Honolulu to pass local laws banning the sale, rental, and distribution of disposable bodyboards made from polystyrene foam. The bill aims to reduce pollution of Hawaii's reefs and shorelines by preventing single-use foam boards from breaking apart and entering the marine environment. It follows similar bans already adopted by Maui and Kauai counties and seeks to extend this environmental protection to the remaining two counties in the state. The resolution is a non-binding recommendation rather than a law itself, meaning the two targeted counties must still vote to adopt their own ordinances.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct quarterly performance and management audits of Hawaii's Department of Education and its attached agencies. The bill addresses concerns that the department's internal audit office has a conflict of interest because its director reports directly to the Superintendent, while the existing Audit Committee lacks authority to evaluate program effectiveness for student success. Under this resolution, the Auditor would rotate quarterly audits among different agencies and focus on academic performance, leadership structures, federal funding usage, and school plans. The Department of Education is urged to use these audit findings to evaluate programs and reallocate resources to improve student academic outcomes and workforce readiness.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to implement a pilot program for micro-credentials developed with the National Education Association, the Department's Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design, and the Hawaii State Teachers Association. The program offers licensed teachers in public and charter schools free access to professional development courses if they are members of the participating organizations, with a $75 fee for non-members. Key provisions include posting the program on the Department's website, allowing participants to earn professional development credits upon completion, and requesting the Hawaii State Teachers Association to assist with outreach and verification. The Department of Education is also asked to submit a report to the Legislature by early 2027 detailing participation rates, educator feedback, and recommendations for future expansion.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests that Hawaii's Board of Education work with the Department of Education to change public high school graduation requirements so that students must complete a standalone financial literacy course. The bill addresses concerns that the current approach, which allows financial literacy to be integrated into other courses or the Personal Transition Plan, may not provide sufficient dedicated instruction and accountability. It proposes specific implementation steps including teacher professional development, funding identification, student completion tracking, and a curriculum based on community input. The resolution is based on evidence showing declining financial literacy among younger generations and the benefits of dedicated financial education for post-secondary success.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution formally endorses Waikiki as a World Surfing Reserve, recognizing the area's historical significance as the birthplace of surfing and its cultural importance to Native Hawaiian heritage. The resolution acknowledges Waikiki's existing environmental protections, economic value as a tourist destination, and the threats it faces from climate change and pollution. By transmitting copies of the resolution to local government leaders, the bill aims to raise awareness and encourage continued community efforts to preserve Waikiki's surfing ecosystem and natural resources.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Education to officially recognize competitive cheerleading as a Title IX sport, which would grant high school cheer athletes equal athletic opportunities and access to resources like certified coaching and safety oversight. The bill directs the Department of Education to develop guidelines and safety standards in collaboration with the Hawaii High School Athletic Association to meet federal Title IX criteria for classifying cheerleading as an interscholastic sport. This resolution applies specifically to high school competitive cheerleading programs in Hawaii and aims to align the state's policies with federal requirements for gender equity in athletics.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an official sister-state relationship between Hawaii and Okayama Prefecture in Japan, formalizing existing cultural and historical ties between the two regions. The resolution recognizes shared heritage dating back to 1868 Japanese immigration, including connections between the Gannenmono settlers and local communities in Okayama. It authorizes the transmission of certified copies to relevant government officials and organizations to facilitate future cooperation in areas like tourism, education, agriculture, and cultural exchange. This action does not create new laws or funding but serves as a diplomatic designation to strengthen institutional collaboration between the two jurisdictions.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the State Auditor to review the Department of Education's list of unfinished school construction and renovation projects. The audit will examine how much money has been spent on each project, why some are delayed or over budget, and how much additional funding is needed to finish them. The goal is to provide a clear picture of the state's school infrastructure needs and suggest ways to manage future projects more effectively. The Auditor must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Departments of Education and Agriculture and Biosecurity to jointly create a Farmer-to-Institution Coordination Plan that aligns with the AINA Kitchen Network rollout. The bill addresses the gap between the state's 2030 goal of sourcing 30% of school meal ingredients locally and the current 5.43% achievement rate, which an audit found resulted in nearly $2 million in unspent federal funds. The proposed plan would identify specific crops needed by the new regional kitchens, assess local production capacity, and outline strategies for helping farmers scale operations through long-term contracts and technical assistance. It requires collaboration with the Interagency Food Systems Working Group and other stakeholders to ensure the coordination plan includes measurable milestones tied to each phase of the AINA Kitchen Network's construction and service timeline.
