SCR182 SD1

WHEREAS, according to Department of Public Safety statistics published in 2005, approximately forty-four per cent of female offenders and thirty-seven per cent of male offenders are of Native Hawaiian ancestry; and

WHEREAS, Native Hawaiians cultural practices include the principle of ho‘oponopono, or the act of righting a wrong through traditional means of conflict resolution; and

WHEREAS, Native Hawaiians cultural practices include the concept of pu‘uhonua, or place of refuge, where one who breaks the kapu, or rules, can go to avoid punishment, and after making the required restitution, can return home; and

WHEREAS, healing programs based on Native Hawaiian practices have already proven to be effective, such as the Girls' Court Program, a gender-specific and strength-based program targeting female juvenile offenders, which was granted the unique opportunity to volunteer on Kaho‘olawe, where they lived together, shared and restored the land by planting native species of vegetation, cleared trails and paths, and learned about the island's history; and

WHEREAS, these young women benefited personally, spiritually, and educationally from this unique experience through learning about their culture, providing community service, and self-discovery about their young womanhood; and

WHEREAS, a healing program for ex-offenders and parolees targeted at healing and teaching Native Hawaiian traditions and cultural practices would greatly benefit these individuals who could also develop self worth and pride in their culture by increasing their knowledge and providing a purpose for themselves, their families, and for future generations of Hawaii's people; and

WHEREAS, this program could teach participants life skills with an emphasis on Native Hawaiian cultural traditions, and help them become acquainted or reacquainted with their rich heritage; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission, with the assistance of the Department of Public Safety, convene a task force to study the feasibility of a statewide healing program for ex-offenders and parolees that:

(1) Emphasizes Native Hawaiian practices;

(2) Includes the practice of ho‘oponopono and the concept of pu‘uhonua;

(3) Establishes a pu‘uhonua on each island to facilitate ho‘oponopono; and

(4) Considers the possibility of a reciprocal healing program on Kaho‘olawe; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be composed of representatives of the following entities:

(1) Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission;

(2) The Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana;

(3) The Department of Public Safety;

(4) The Department of Human Services;

(5) The Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and

(6) Any other vested stakeholder these entities see fit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the program be open to ex‑offender and parolees who exhibit interest in and ability to benefit from what would be a physically, mentally, and spiritually challenging experience; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force look at expanding existing programs and establishing new programs to meet the needs of ex-offender and parolee populations throughout the State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force consider the possible use of a reciprocal healing program at Kaho‘olawe that would not require the construction of a correctional facility or any other additional facilities and would fully comply with chapter 6K, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and Title X of the 1993 Department of Defense and Appropriations Act; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Department of Public Safety is requested to submit a report to the Legislature on the establishment of the task force requested by this measure, including but not limited to any recommendations of the task force no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Public Safety, the Director of Human Resources, the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Chairperson of the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission, and the Chairperson of the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana.

Report Title:

Native Hawaiian Healing Program Feasibility Study; Ex-offender and Parolee; Establishment of a Task Force

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	182
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII