STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1219

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.C.R. No. 28

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 28 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF MARCH AS HAWAII KIDNEY AWARENESS MONTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to raise public awareness of the dangers posed by chronic kidney disease by designating the month of March as Hawaii Kidney Awareness Month.

The Department of Health, The Queen's Health System, Hawai‘i Pacific Health, Hawai‘i Public Health Institute, U.S. Renal Care, Chronic Disease Coalition, National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Medical Association, and several concerned individuals supported this measure.

Your Committee notes that chronic kidney disease is one of the deadliest threats to the health and wellbeing of our communities. It is regarded by some as a "silent killer," as most individuals afflicted are unaware they have it and symptoms don't usually manifest until its later stages. Left untreated, chronic kidney disease progresses through five stages, the final of which is known as end stage kidney disease, which must be treated with kidney replacement or dialysis.

Your Committee also notes that minority populations suffer disproportionately from this disease. According to the National Kidney Foundation, black Americans are almost four times as likely as white Americans to develop kidney failure, and studies have shown that Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders living in the U.S. and Pacific territories have even higher rates of end stage kidney disease incidence.

In addition, because many local residents suffer from diabetes and high blood pressure, the two leading causes of kidney failure, chronic kidney disease is a particularly dangerous menace to the people of Hawaii. Hawaii's kidney failure rate is thirty percent higher than the national rate.

In light of the silent danger posed by chronic kidney disease and its prevalence in Hawaii, your Committee finds that increasing public awareness of this disease and promoting early testing and medical intervention will help to improve health outcomes for our communities.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 28 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair