HR21

WHEREAS, Native Hawaiians confront pronounced disparities and inequities in crucial aspects of life, including but not limited to health, housing, education, economics, and identity; and

WHEREAS, the State has recognized Native Hawaiians "as the only indigenous, aboriginal, maoli people of Hawaii"; and

WHEREAS, Native Hawaiians have suffered historical injustices that have deprived them of sovereignty and the exercise of self-determination, which has stifled their socio-political-economic development; and

WHEREAS, Public Law 103-150, informally known as the Apology Resolution, recognized that economic and social changes in Hawaii have been devastating to the health and well-being of Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the State, on the condition of its admission into the Union, was entrusted with continuously pursuing the betterment of conditions of Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, enduring structural racism, rooted in historical injustices, has yet to be dismantled and continues to exacerbate the adversities faced by Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, Native Hawaiians inherently possess the capacity to formulate their own solutions, necessitating the creation of opportunities for their advancement, unburdened by systemic oppression, and concurrently, ensuring that the State fulfills its obligation to support the pursuit of equity; and

WHEREAS, Native Hawaiian traditional knowledge not only contributes to addressing ecological challenges, such as climate change, but also holds immeasurable value in guiding all policy processes aimed at improving the well-being of Native Hawaiians and the broader community; and

WHEREAS, the State lacks a comprehensive guiding document on Native Hawaiian cultural appropriateness to inform decision-making in an inclusive, respectful, and effective manner that is sensitive to Native Hawaiian cultural identity and heritage in accordance with the interests and aspirations of Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, cultural appropriateness in economic development may involve prioritizing the role of Native Hawaiian traditional knowledge and empowering Native Hawaiian leadership and entrepreneurship over its use, while establishing culturally relevant pathways for workforce development, industry and sector adaptation, and business ecosystem establishment to meet the unique needs of Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, cultural appropriateness in education may involve culturally responsive teaching, learning environments, and policies that connect Native Hawaiian culture, language, and life experiences with Native Hawaiian learners to meet the unique needs of Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, cultural appropriateness in health care may involve adhering to Native Hawaiian frameworks for achieving social and health equity and emphasizing cultural competence as the ability of providers and organizations to effectively deliver health care services to meet the unique needs of Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, cultural appropriateness in housing may involve elevating traditional housing concepts for integration into modern planning and development and adapting these systems to meet the unique needs of Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the breadth of existing guidance on cultural appropriateness is extensive and diverse, yet dispersed across various sources, thereby underscoring the imperative necessity to consolidate and expand upon this guidance; and

WHEREAS, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, as the constitutionally established principal public agency in the State with the purpose to continuously pursue the betterment of conditions of Native Hawaiians, is the most appropriate entity to identify the scope of Native Hawaiian cultural appropriateness in policy processes in the State; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is requested to identify the scope of Native Hawaiian cultural appropriateness for the purpose of addressing Native Hawaiian disparities with emphasis on the following priority areas:

(1) Native Hawaiian economic development needs;

(2) Native Hawaiian education needs;

(3) Native Hawaiian health needs; and

(4) Native Hawaiian housing needs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is requested to consult with agencies of the State and relevant stakeholders, in addition to other Native Hawaiian communities and organizations deemed appropriate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Sessions of 2025 and 2027; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Chairperson of the Board of Education; Superintendent of Education; Director of Health; Director of Human Services; Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; President of the University of Hawaii; and Chairperson of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

OHA; Native Hawaiian Cultural Appropriateness; Disparities

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	21
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII