STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1324-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2770

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2770, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NATIVE HAWAIIAN REHABILITATION PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Public Safety, in collaboration with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, to create a rehabilitation program for Native Hawaiian prison inmates that puts an emphasis on preserving Native Hawaiian values and cultural practices; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of Public Safety, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Community Alliance on Prisons, Women's Prison Project, Opportunity Youth Action Hui, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i, ‘Ekolu Mea Nui, and four individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and Papa Ola Lōkahi.

Your Committee finds that rehabilitation programs have traditionally been based on western models that may not have any relevance or foundation to prison inmates' identity, cultural beliefs, and worldview. Establishing a rehabilitation program that specifically emphasizes Native Hawaiian values and cultural practices may help the disproportionately represented Native Hawaiian inmate population feel less disenfranchised and support their reintegration into society upon release.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2770, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair