HR 170: 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.

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.

     WHEREAS, research shows that charging fees, fines, costs, and restitution to youth is harmful to young people and their families; and

     WHEREAS, in Hawaii, the consequences of such costs fall disproportionately on Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and African-American youth, who are more likely to be arrested, detained, and unable to afford fees, fines, costs, and restitution; and

     WHEREAS, youth involved in the juvenile justice system are frequently ordered to complete hours of community service in lieu of court costs; and

     WHEREAS, in Hawaii, typical community service opportunities do not give youth a chance to connect back with their culture and the land, preventing rehabilitation and healing; and

     WHEREAS, this disconnection from culture increases the likelihood of intergenerational trauma and recidivism; and

     WHEREAS, aina-based learning is grounded in teaching and learning through aina, which encompasses the land, ocean, air, and all living things; and

     WHEREAS, aina-based learning offers an opportunity for minors to carry on the practices of their kupuna, strengthening families and communities; and

     WHEREAS, through aina-based approaches, learners can deepen their relationships with the natural environment, cultivating connections with their communities and building critical skills that can be applied to real-world issues; and

     WHEREAS, the majority of organizations utilizing aina-based learning are not-for-profit organizations eager to support youth; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has already committed to providing aina-based education and stewardship opportunities to youth through the Aloha+ Challenge; and

     WHEREAS, the State can do more to refer youth to organizations employing aina-based learning to complete community service obligations; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, 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

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Human Services' Office of Youth Services and Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council 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; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Human Services, Executive Director of the Office of Youth Services, and Chairperson of the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council.

Report Title: 

Office of Youth Services; Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council; Aina-based Learning Programs; Juvenile Legal System

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.

     WHEREAS, research shows that charging fees, fines, costs, and restitution to youth is harmful to young people and their families; and

     WHEREAS, in Hawaii, the consequences of such costs fall disproportionately on Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and African-American youth, who are more likely to be arrested, detained, and unable to afford fees, fines, costs, and restitution; and

     WHEREAS, youth involved in the juvenile justice system are frequently ordered to complete hours of community service in lieu of court costs; and

     WHEREAS, in Hawaii, typical community service opportunities do not give youth a chance to connect back with their culture and the land, preventing rehabilitation and healing; and

     WHEREAS, this disconnection from culture increases the likelihood of intergenerational trauma and recidivism; and

     WHEREAS, aina-based learning is grounded in teaching and learning through aina, which encompasses the land, ocean, air, and all living things; and

     WHEREAS, aina-based learning offers an opportunity for minors to carry on the practices of their kupuna, strengthening families and communities; and

     WHEREAS, through aina-based approaches, learners can deepen their relationships with the natural environment, cultivating connections with their communities and building critical skills that can be applied to real-world issues; and

     WHEREAS, the majority of organizations utilizing aina-based learning are not-for-profit organizations eager to support youth; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has already committed to providing aina-based education and stewardship opportunities to youth through the Aloha+ Challenge; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii can do more to refer youth to organizations employing aina-based learning to complete community service obligations; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, 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

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Human Services' Office of Youth Services and Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council 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; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Human Services, Executive Director of the Office of Youth Services, and Chairperson of the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council.

Report Title: 

Office of Youth Services; Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council; Aina-based Learning Programs; Juvenile Legal System

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,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1625

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 Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.R. No. 170 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 to request 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.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Public Defender; Mālama Mākua; Nā ‘Ōpio Waiwai, Youth Council of ʻEkolu Mea Nui; Debt Free Justice Hawai‘i; ‘Ekolu Mea Nui; and Opportunity for Youth Action Hawai‘i.

     Your Committee finds that youth involved in the juvenile justice system often face financial hardships due to court-imposed fees, fines, and restitution.  While community service is frequently ordered in lieu of financial penalties, existing opportunities often lack meaningful cultural or rehabilitative components, limiting their impact on youth development and reducing their effectiveness in preventing recidivism.  This measure requests 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 as an alternative for youth in the juvenile legal system to promote cultural reconnection, foster rehabilitation, and strengthen youth ties to their land, families, and communities.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 170, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 170, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,