Informing the Legislature that on June 25, 2025, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB648 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 208).

This bill (HB648) establishes a two-year pilot program in Honolulu's first circuit courts to provide free legal and medical resources for individuals involved in guardianship or conservatorship cases who cannot afford them. It mandates court-appointed "kokua kanawai" (advocates who assess personal circumstances), guardians ad litem (representatives for the individual's best interests), and professional evaluations (like psychological or neurocognitive assessments) when the court deems them necessary. The program, funded by $50,000 from state general revenues, ensures these resources are available to all eligible respondents regardless of financial means. The judiciary must report on the program's outcomes - including participation rates and recommendations for continuation - to the legislature by 2026.