Sen. Glenn Wakai

Allows the Department of Education and charter schools to hire unlicensed individuals as teachers on an emergency basis for five, rather than three, years. Requires that unlicensed teachers hired on an emergency basis make continuous and verifiable progress toward satisfying licensing requirements. Sunsets on 6/30/2031, but provides that unlicensed emergency hires employed before the sunset date may continue employment for up to five years from their hiring date, under certain conditions. (CD1)

Maddy summaryThis bill encourages the United States Navy to take responsibility for removing octocoral and other invasive species from Pearl Harbor waters, including West Loch, Middle Loch, and East Loch. It urges the Navy to allocate resources to eradicate these invasive organisms, which grow rapidly and harm local marine ecosystems by reducing fish diversity, and to maintain and secure the harbor shoreline. The resolution is a formal request rather than a mandatory law, asking the Navy to address these environmental concerns as the principal caretaker of Pearl Harbor.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution encourages the United States Navy to take responsibility for removing invasive octocoral and other non-native species from the waters of Pearl Harbor, including West Loch, Middle Loch, and East Loch. The bill highlights that octocoral spreads rapidly and harms local marine ecosystems by reducing fish diversity, noting that the Navy has already detected these species in the area. It urges the Navy to allocate resources for both eradicating invasive species and maintaining the shoreline, with a certified copy of the resolution to be sent to the Secretary of the Navy. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses the state's preference rather than imposing mandatory requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the State Fire Marshal to appoint a hydrogen fire safety expert to oversee the safety of hydrogen fuel production, storage, and distribution facilities in Hawaii. The expert would be responsible for ensuring these facilities comply with current national fire safety standards and would conduct safety training sessions at least twice each year. Additionally, the resolution asks the State Fire Marshal to provide ongoing training to county fire departments and building inspectors so they can properly understand and enforce hydrogen-related safety protocols statewide. This measure aims to improve fire safety preparedness as Hawaii develops its hydrogen energy infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the State Fire Marshal to appoint a hydrogen fire safety expert to oversee safety at hydrogen fuel production, storage, and distribution facilities. The expert would ensure these facilities comply with current national fire safety standards and conduct safety trainings at least twice annually. Additionally, the resolution asks the Fire Marshal to provide ongoing training to county fire departments and building inspectors on hydrogen-related safety protocols. This measure aims to prepare Hawaii's emergency response and inspection teams for the growing use of hydrogen energy while maintaining safety standards.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges the Hawaii Legislature to create strict liability laws for individuals who keep, harbor, or feed chickens, ungulates, and felids when these animals cause property damage. The bill aims to address the growing problem of feral and free-ranging chickens in residential areas, which are currently not covered by existing animal liability statutes. It also requests the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to study whether feral chickens should be classified as invasive species and submit recommendations by early 2027. The resolution directly affects property owners and residents dealing with nuisance animal populations while seeking to establish clearer legal accountability for animal damage.

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 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 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.