STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1702

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.C.R. No. 76

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 76 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO ESTABLISH A RESTORATIVE JUSTICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE, OR HOOKAULIKE, AT THE WILLIAM S. RICHARDSON SCHOOL OF LAW,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the University of Hawaii to establish a Restorative Justice Research Institute, or Hookaulike, at the William S. Richardson School of Law.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the criminal justice system in Hawaii has a disparate impact on Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and other persons of color. The collaborative efforts contemplated by this measure are an acknowledgment of the complexity of challenges often confronting people involved in the criminal legal system and a step toward progress in shifting to a focus on restoration and healing.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 76 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

____________________________

AMY A. PERRUSO, Chair