Sen. Stanley Chang

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the University of Hawaii to create a specific pathway for studying the Niihau dialect of the Hawaiian language. The bill recognizes that the Niihau community has preserved a distinct version of Hawaiian that differs from the dialects used in mainstream immersion schools and other educational settings. It aims to formally acknowledge the unique linguistic heritage of Niihau speakers and ensure their specific language needs are addressed within higher education. The resolution directs a copy of this request to the President of the University of Hawaii System for consideration.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to merge two existing adult education schools, McKinley Community School for Adults and Waipahu Community School for Adults, into one statewide program called the Hawaii State Community School for Adults. The bill aims to improve program coordination, streamline operations, and better serve adult learners by creating a unified system that maintains current services while expanding access across the state. The resolution directs the Department to consult with affected employees and their representatives before implementation, develop a transition plan to minimize disruptions, and set a target start date of July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an official sister-state relationship between the State of Hawaii and the Prefecture of Okayama, Japan, formalizing existing cultural and historical ties between the two regions. The resolution recognizes shared heritage dating back to Japanese immigration in the late 19th century and builds on decades of grassroots exchanges, including university partnerships and charter flights between the two locations. By designating Okayama as a sister state, Hawaii aims to expand institutional collaboration in areas such as tourism, agriculture, education, and climate resilience while strengthening people-to-people connections between residents of both jurisdictions. The bill directs the transmission of the resolution to relevant state and federal officials to complete the formal establishment of this partnership.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests that Hawaii's Board of Education work with the Department of Education to make completing a standalone financial literacy course a graduation requirement for public high school students. The bill specifically asks for a formal vote to approve this requirement, teacher professional development credits, identification of funding sources, tracking of student completion, and a curriculum plan based on community input. It argues that a dedicated course is more effective than integrating financial literacy into other subjects or the Personal Transition Plan, citing evidence that financial skills improve with focused instruction. The resolution reflects concerns about declining financial literacy among younger generations and the potential long-term benefits of ensuring all students receive practical financial education.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to combine the McKinley and Waipahu Community Schools for Adults into one statewide program called the Hawaii State Community School for Adults. The bill aims to improve coordination, streamline operations, and better serve adult learners by creating a unified system that maintains current services while expanding program quality. It directs the Department to consult with employee representatives, develop a transition plan to minimize disruption, and target a July 1, 2026 start date for the new unified program.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Transportation, working with the Department of Education, to evaluate and recommend improvements to the licensing, training, and recruitment process for school bus drivers. The bill aims to address driver shortages that cause route cancellations and transportation disruptions, particularly affecting students in rural and neighbor island communities. The evaluation will examine barriers such as testing availability, interagency coordination, and workforce pipeline issues, with a deadline to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Department of Transportation and the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to form a working group to study whether the state should own or control warehouse and logistics facilities near ports, harbors, and airports. The working group would examine how such facilities could lower material costs for publicly funded affordable housing projects by improving supply chain efficiency, enabling bulk purchasing, and reducing transportation delays caused by Hawaii's geographic isolation. The group is tasked with identifying suitable state lands, analyzing cost savings, exploring public-private partnerships, and determining any legal changes needed to implement recommendations. Members will include state agency directors, housing commission leaders, and representatives from industry groups, with a final report due to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges the County of Maui to actively enforce its Fire Code provisions related to wildfire prevention, including brush clearance, fuel breaks, roadside vegetation management, and emergency access. The bill directly affects property owners and land managers in Maui, particularly those with large parcels or properties near residential areas, temporary housing sites, and major evacuation routes. Key provisions include maintaining vegetation clearance between 30 to 100 feet from structures, clearing overgrown vegetation to less than 18 inches on smaller lots, and removing combustible plants along roads to ensure safe passage for emergency vehicles. The resolution emphasizes prioritizing enforcement on properties that pose heightened risks to life and property, using available tools like inspections, citations, and abatement orders to ensure compliance.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Department of Transportation to work with the Department of Education to study how to improve the process for hiring and training school bus drivers in Hawaii. The bill addresses ongoing shortages of qualified drivers that have led to canceled routes and disrupted transportation for students, particularly in rural and neighbor island communities. The requested evaluation will examine barriers to commercial driver's licensing, coordination between agencies and private contractors, and strategies to expand testing and training access. The departments must consult with various stakeholders and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 regular session.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution asks state officials to work with the U.S. Department of Defense and military partners to explore creating a partnership between military and civilian trauma systems in Hawaii. The bill specifically requests that the Governor and Department of Health evaluate opportunities for Tripier Army Medical Center to serve as a receiving trauma center for civilian patients, investigate funding options for uncompensated care, and consider legislative changes to allow reimbursement for civilian trauma services at military facilities. Additionally, the resolution seeks to develop tele-trauma consultation capabilities to help rural hospitals and improve overall trauma care access across the state. The Department of Health is required to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the beginning of the 2027 session.