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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
27 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO ADOPT, AMEND, OR REPEAL RULES IN ORDER TO RECOGNIZE AND RESPECT THE HAWAIIAN SYSTEM OF HANAI DURING THE LICENSING OF FOSTER PARENTS.
WHEREAS, over 50 percent of children in foster care, or approximately 1,400 children, are of Hawaiian ancestry; and
WHEREAS, only about one-half of the foster children who are of Hawaiian ancestry are placed in foster homes that share their Hawaiian culture; and
WHEREAS, native Hawaiian communities and families have expressed concern that cultural needs are not considered as heavily as they should be in the placement of foster children; and
WHEREAS, the Hawaiian culture has long embraced the traditional system of "hanai" which allows a person other than a child's parent to play a substantial role in the material support and upbringing of the child; and
WHEREAS, in many cases, the people raising children of Hawaiian ancestry in a hanai relationship are the children's grandparents; and
WHEREAS, due to age and economic circumstances, many caregivers in a hanai relationship are unable to satisfy the Department of Human Services' (DHS) requirements for the licensing of foster parents, which results in children being taken into the department's custody; and
WHEREAS, the State is mandated to protect and preserve the customs and traditions of Hawaiians pursuant to Article XII, section 7, of the Hawaii Constitution; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that DHS is requested to adopt, amend, or repeal rules in accordance with Chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to recognize and respect the Hawaiian culture and system of hanai during the licensing process for foster parents; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DHS is requested to submit a report to the Legislature of its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2010; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Human Services, the Chairperson of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the program director of Kokua Ohana.
Foster Care; Hanai