REQUESTING THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON AGING TO PARTNER WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA CENTER ON AGING TO ESTABLISH A KUPUNA WORKFORCE INNOVATION HUB TO IMPLEMENT SHORT-TERM STRATEGIES OUTLINED IN THE 2025 STRENGTHENING HAWAII'S LONG-TERM DIRECT CARE WORKFORCE STRATEGIC PLAN.

This House Resolution requests the Executive Office on Aging to partner with the University of Hawaii at Manoa Center on Aging to create a "Kupuna Workforce Innovation Hub." The hub aims to implement short-term strategies from Hawaii's 2025 Strategic Plan to improve the state's direct care workforce for older adults (kupuna). Key actions include standardizing training for direct care workers, meeting with stakeholders to boost recruitment/retention, and analyzing workforce gaps to develop career pathways. The University must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Executive Office by April 2026.