STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3573

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 88

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.R. No. 88 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED SUPPORT AND STABILIZATION PATHWAY FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN BENEFICIARIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR EXTREMELY LOW INCOME,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to develop a coordinated support and stabilization pathway for native Hawaiian beneficiaries experiencing homelessness or extremely low income.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, and two individuals.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committees find that compared to the general population, native Hawaiians are over-represented in the State's homeless population, and often experience higher rates of food insecurity and health disparities, which can exacerbate housing and economic challenges that lead to homelessness. Your Committees further find that a coordinated pathway of support and stabilization services can help break the cycle of homelessness and extreme low income. Your Committees believe that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands coordinating and collaborating with the Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions will allow for shared expertise and resources to provide native Hawaiian beneficiaries experiencing homelessness or extremely low income with improved support and clearer guidelines to work toward independence and breaking the poverty cycle.

Your Committees request that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands collect datapoints and share them sooner rather than later as far as the native Hawaiian homelessness population is concerned.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 88 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Health and Human Services,

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

________________________________ HERBERT M. RICHARDS, III, Chair