STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1857

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.R. No. 170

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 170, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' OFFICE OF YOUTH SERVICES AND JUVENILE JUSTICE STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL TO EXAMINE THE AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF AINA-BASED LEARNING PROGRAMS OFFERED TO YOUTH IN THE JUVENILE LEGAL SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is that the Department of Human Services Office of Youth Services and Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council are requested to examine the availability and utilization of aina-based learning programs offered to youth in the juvenile legal system and are requested to create and disseminate a list of organizations employing aina-based learning that the courts may use to assign community service to minors in the family court system.

Your Committee received testimony in support for this measure from the Office of the Public Defender; Debt Free Justice Hawai’i;  NāʻŌpio Waiwai; Ekolu Mea Nui; and Opportunity for Youth Action Hawai’i and ACLU of Hawaii. Your Committee received comments for this measure from the Department of Human Services Office of Youth Services.

Your Committee finds that ʻāina-based learning programs provide culturally grounded, restorative opportunities for youth in the juvenile legal system. Examining their availability and utilization will help assess their impact on rehabilitation, recidivism reduction, and community reintegration. Supporting these programs aligns with efforts to offer alternative, place-based education that fosters personal growth, responsibility, and a deeper connection to the land and culture. 

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 170, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair