SCR 167: requesting the LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE bureau to CONDUCT a study on the cost and scope of a comprehensive, statewide survey of mĀhŪ, lgbtqia+, and Qtpi+ communities in hawaii.

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	167
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE bureau to CONDUCT a study on the cost and scope of a comprehensive, statewide survey of mĀhŪ, lgbtqia+, and Qtpi+ communities in hawaii.

 

 

     WHEREAS, individuals who embody both masculine and feminine spirit in Native Hawaiian culture, known as a Māhū, have historically held respected roles as teachers, healers, and cultural practitioners, serving as vital carriers of knowledge and traditions within Hawaiian society; and

 

     WHEREAS, the diverse queer and trans identities across the Pacific Islands, often referred to collectively as queer and trans Pacific Islanders (QTPI+) identities, are integral to the social, spiritual, and cultural fabric of their communities with unique traditions, practices, and roles that predate Western colonization; and

 

     WHEREAS, these identities reflect a rich heritage of gender diversity and fluidity that is recognized and celebrated within Pacific Island cultures, yet colonization, Western legal systems, and modern social structures have often marginalized or erased their presence in official records and policy planning; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ people are integral members of Hawaii's communities, families, cultures, and workforce, yet remain largely invisible in statewide data collection efforts; and

 

     WHEREAS, the absence of culturally informed, reliable, and disaggregated data on Māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ populations significantly limits the ability of the State, Legislature, and county governments and nonprofit service providers to effectively identify disparities, allocate resources, develop evidence-based policy, and measure outcomes; and

 

     WHEREAS, national and local research consistently demonstrates that Māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ individuals experience disproportionate barriers to health care, including mental and behavioral health services; higher rates of housing and economic insecurity; inequitable educational outcomes; and increased exposure to discrimination, harassment, and violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression; and

 

     WHEREAS, understanding the needs and experiences of Māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ people in Hawaii requires approaches that honor these cultural histories and perspectives, ensuring that any data collection reflects and respects the community's lived experiences, traditional knowledge, and social contexts; and

 

     WHEREAS, conducting a comprehensive, statewide survey that estimates population size and examines health care access, mental health outcomes, economic stability, educational attainment, housing security, and experiences of discrimination would provide critical insight necessary to advance equity, improve culturally responsive service deliver, and ensure that public funds are used efficiently and effectively; and

 

     WHEREAS, before such a survey can be responsibly undertaken, the State must understand the projected costs, methodological considerations, privacy protections, and community engagement requirements necessary to carry out a high-quality, ethical, and culturally responsive data collection effort; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to conduct a study to determine the cost and scope of implementing a comprehensive, statewide survey of the Māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ populations in Hawaii; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study is requested to include, but not be limited to:

 

     (1)  An estimated cost to design, administer, analyze, and report on a statewide survey that identifies individuals who identify as Māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+, with methods that respect cultural protocols and community engagement practices;

 

     (2)  Methodological recommendations for estimating population size and demographics, including culturally responsive and community-based research approaches that honor Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander knowledge systems;

 

     (3)  An assessment of data elements related to health care access, including mental and behavioral health care; economic strength and employment; educational attainment; housing stability; and experiences of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, with attention to how cultural identity impacts these outcomes;

 

     (4)  The specific needs of the elderly Māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ community that may not be addressed by current resources;

 

     (5)  Considerations for data privacy, confidentiality, and protections for respondents, particularly those from marginalized or vulnerable cultural communities;

 

     (6)  Opportunities for collaboration with Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community-based organizations, Māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ advocacy groups, academic institutions, and county governments to ensure cultural relevance and accuracy of findings; and

 

     (7)  Identification of potential state, federal, and private funding sources to support the implementation of such a culturally informed survey; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit a report of findings and recommendations, including cost estimates and proposed timelines, to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, and Chair of the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

 

Report Title: 

DOH; LRB; LGBTQIA+; QTPI+; Comprehensive Survey; Māhū; Report