Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 226 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge support for Malama O Kamali'i Makamae in its efforts to develop care home facilities for abused and abandoned children of Hawaiian ancestry.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Malama O Kamali'i Makamae. The Department of Human Services (DHS) provided comments.

The mission and goals of Malama O Kamali'i Makamae's Children Hanai Ohana Care, Emergency Shelter, and Learning Centers are to provide long-term and emergency care for children in need of a place of refuge, a place for physical and emotional healing, and a place for educational care and learning in a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment. Malama O Kamali'i Makamae serves children ages zero to thirteen years old, who are victims of adults' unemployment, homelessness, addiction to drugs and/or alcohol, abusiveness, and self-destruction.

Malama O Kamali'i Makamae gives preference to kamali'i (children) of Hawaiian ancestry, who are orphaned, abandoned, abused, homeless, and neglected in their present living environment from their adult caregivers.

DHS supports and acknowledges the importance of preserving cultural connections, promoting healthier lifestyles in the fight against drugs, and encouraging good study and learning habits to improve education outcomes for children. However, DHS does not support placement of children ages zero to thirteen years old in long-term care facilities because it is contrary to the well-being of children and best practices of keeping children with their families and relatives.

Your Committee finds that maintaining family and cultural connections is essential to the well-being of children. Your Committees further find that the reunification of children with their families allows families to preserve these connections.

Your Committee, which gave permission to the Chairperson of your Committee to work on changes to this measure, has amended this measure by including two provisions recommended by Malama O Kamali'i Makamae:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 226, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 226, S.D. 1.