20240319-NanakuliNB

SENATOR MAILE SHIMABUKURO 2024 HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE BREAKING NEWS

LATEST COMMUNITY UPDATES

DHHL and Beneficiary Cash Awards (SB2640)

Hawaiʻi lawmakers have proposed a measure allowing the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to offer cash awards instead of leases to beneficiaries on the waiting list. Supporters argue that all options to reduce the list should be explored, while critics insist that beneficiaries should only be placed directly onto the land. Introduced by Senator Maile Shimabukuro, the bill aims to alleviate the DHHL waiting list by offering cash awards. DHHL beneficiary DeMont Manaʻole initially felt uneasy about the proposal but later acknowledged that some may prefer financial stability over waiting for a lease. DHHL's head of government relations, Oriana Leao, expressed openness to ideas but emphasized the agency's commitment to placing Native Hawaiians back on the land. With over 28,000 beneficiaries on the waiting list, the measure would require amendments to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, necessitating approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior and Congress. The Senate Hawaiian Affairs Committee approved the measure 4-1, with an amendment ensuring beneficiaries retain the right to lease transfer if they accept cash awards. The bill awaits further hearings before the Senate Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary. (Hawaii Public Radio, 1/31/2024)

CONGRESS SEEKS TO MAKE FEBRUARY 2024, MAHINA ‘ŌLELO HAWAI’I

Senator Schatz, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, with support from Senator Mazie Hirono, Rep. Case, and Rep. Tokuda, introduced a congressional resolution designating February 2024 as “MAHINA ’ŌLELO HAWAI’I” (Hawaiian Language Month).

This acknowledgement notes the ingrained cultural importance of the native language of these islands and notes the struggles experienced in its revitalization after a 90 year prohibition of its teaching in public schools. Senate Resolution 546 (2024) encourages, recognition, and supports the use of ‘Olelo Hawai’i across the United States.

Sen. Brian Schatz Sen. Mazie Hirono

Rep. Ed Case Rep Jill Tokuda

CURRENT LEGISLATIVE STATUS FOR THIS 2024 SESSION

HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS / LAND

INCENTIVIZE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE (SCR68/SR56) EDU/HWN, CPN

Incentivize the hiring of fluent speakers of ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i in public and private positions and in educational settings

RELATING TO HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMMISSION

Allows DHHL to provide a cash award amount to beneficiaries on their waitlist, for the purpose of purchasing residential lots located outside of DHHL's trust lands after which, the beneficiary would be removed from the waitlist.

RELATING TO THE DHHL (SB738 SD2 HD1)

Creates Lease Award Program for qualifying successors of certain deceased beneficiaries to file a claim to the lease within a certain time

RELATING TO BURIAL SITES (SB2591 SD2)

Allows individuals and ‘ohana members to access burial sites on privately owned lands for specific monitoring & cultural reasons.

RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF TARO (SB1498 SD1 HD2)

Prohibits BLNR from acquiring/disturbing dry/wetlands taro lands

Establishes taro land classification. Makes appropriation

RELATING TO HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS (SB541 SD1 HD1) FIN

Designates January 17th of each year as “Reconciliation Da

EDUCATION

RELATING TO AQUACULTURE (WHS) (SB2329)

Establishes, funds, and supports a fish loko i‘a program at WHS

RELATING TO UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS (HB1775 HD1)

Provides universal free breakfast and lunch for all public-school students

RELATING TO MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS in public buildings (SB3000)

<Bill lapsed however the $400k funding was put in HB1800 Budget Bill>

RELATING TO EDUCATION (HB500 HD1)

Appropriates funds to DOE to promote interscholastic sport

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES ON BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

JUDICIARY

JUDICIAL RETIREMENT AGE INCREASE (SB2319)

Proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges from 70 to 75 years.

RELATING TO CAPITAL GAINS TAX (HB1660 HD1)

Taxes capital gains income at the same rate as ordinary income.

RELATING TO LIMITATION OF ACTION (SB2439 SD1)

Revives and/or extends the statute of limitations for civil actions brought by victims of sexual assault against an alleged offender.

RELATING TO SEX TRAFFICKING (SB2757 SD1)

Aligns state sex trafficking laws with federal law by making the commercial sexual exploitation of a minor a form of sex trafficking.

RELATING TO SEX TRAFFICKING (SB2758 SD1)

Authorizes civil claims to be made against a business, owner, or operator of a transient accommodation, or other commercial entity that profits.

RELATING TO INDECENT EXPOSURE (HB1927 HD1)

Raises the criminal penalty for the offense of indecent exposure from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor if the victim is less than sixteen years of age.

HEALTH

RELATING TO FIRE PREVENTION (SB409 SD1 HD1) FIN

Appropriates funds to DLNR for Fire Prevention & Fuel Reduction

RELATING TO DLNR (SB1258 SD2) FIN

Develop & implement a management system for Ka’ena, Makua, & Keawaula

RELATING TO WORKPLACE SAFETY (SB2569 SD1) JHA

Allows those who suffer violence at a healthcare facility to report the violation to law enforcement and petition for a TRO

RELATING TO CLEAN AND SOBER HOMES (SCR65/SR53)

Urges that the Department of Health convene and lead an informal working groupto discuss the management of clean and sober homes.

RELATING TO WATER QUALITY (SB2322 SD1)

Requires the Department of Health to require continued water testing during brown water advisories under certain circumstances. <See article on the next page>

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES ON BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

RESOLUTIONS

SUPPORTING GAZA CEASEFIRE (SCR13/SR6)

Urging Hawaii Congressional Delebation to support Gaza Ceasefire

URGE REINSTATEMENT OF PALESTINE REFUGEE FUNDING (SCR22/SR14)

Urges POTUS to reinstate funding for UN relief for Palestine refugees

UH STUDY TO INCREASE SNAP ACCESS (SCR21/SR13) (HCR42/HR31)

UH Economic Research Study on improving SNAP access.

DOA TO SUPPORT AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SCR29/SR19)

Urging the Department of Agriculture to support efforts to improve the aquaculture development program strategic plan.

BUDGET PRIORITIES

CIP PRIORITIES

1) Nānākuli High & Inter School

Performing Arts Center ($30M)

2) Wai’anae Intermediate Playcourt ($5M)

3) Elepaio Social Svcs GIA ($2.5M)

DLNR FIRE PREVENTION INITIATIVE

Fire Dipping Wells for Wai’anae Coast

$500,000 grant submitted by DLNR

WAI’ANAE COAST GIA PRIORITIES

a) Westside Striking

b) Makaha Learning Center

c) CCHC– ER

d) Makana o Ke Akua

e) MA’O Farms

f) Makaha Community Center

g) Red-to-Me Internal

h) Best Buddies

i) Na Kama Kai

I’m excited to announce that the “Brown Water Testing bill” (SB2322) has made it through all its senate committees and is up for third and final reading on the Senate Floor. This will position the bill to cross over to the House for deliberation in their committees. Let’s keep supporting this worthy legislation requiring the safety of our coastal waters for everybody who wants to “malama i ke kai”

BROWN WATER TESTING GAINS HEADWAY (SB2322)

The Hawaii Department of Health issued a brown water advisory for Maui in January, which lasted for three weeks. The Surfrider Foundation, conducting its own water testing, believes the advisory could have been lifted sooner, as some beaches met state standards. They advocate for continued testing during advisories, supporting Senate Bill 2322, which would require the DOH to do so. Senator Shimabukuro, who introduced the bill, aims to ensure public safety and information regarding water conditions. The DOH argues against the pending necessity of testing during advisories due to resource constraints, but the Surfrider Foundation disagrees, emphasizing that the bill wouldn't significantly increase costs or alter DOH procedures. The senate bill is now poised to crossover to the House. <reference KITV4:

FEDERAL DOT GRANT OPPORTUNITY

Aloha & Good News to All,

We are working in close conjunction with Director Sniffen of the State Department of Transportation regarding a grant request from the federal DOT to create a Kalaeloa Harbor Master Plan. (see below).

According to this Master Plan, we will be able to create a shipping hub for the area of Kalaeloa. This will also be an economic stimulus to the community which already struggles with several demographic challenges. However, when we create better shipping corridors, we will have a better profile for food/ fuel security as well as a robustly improved access to other resources. Wish Director Sniffen luck !!

~Maile

https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/03/after-lahaina-waianae-coast-residents-mightfinally-get-a-key-evacuation-route/

Three governor’s awards