House Standing Committee on Health

Aloha. Mahalo. So we are starting the Committee on Human Services and Homelessness hearing. We have a joint measure with the Committee on Health as well. It's Tuesday, 04/07/2026, 11:15AM in Conference Room 329.

We have myself, chairing the human service side, Lisa Martin, and chair Takayama on the health side. And first, we only have two measures today, so it should be really fast. First up, we have HCR 67 and HR 61 requesting the Disability and Communication Access Board to study the health care settings communications needs of and develop guidelines for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf blind. And we have, four, written testifiers in support.

State health planning and development agency, disability and communication access board, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and one individual.

I think our one testifier in person is not here. So, members, there is nobody to ask questions of. So we're gonna move on to our next question. Oh, I'm sorry. Are you here on behalf of

Yes. I'm here on behalf of. So I am

Oh, my apologies.

Will stand out and write the test one. One anyway.

Thank you for being here.

I I do appreciate it. I and since you're here, I I would I would love to, you know, just to clarify, but is this redundant with any measures at all moving forward?

There are two bills that were redundant.

Both would need to be heard by WAM. It's not clear if they are. So I guess I would encourage us to keep moving as a backup in case those don't

Okay. Okay. Thank you very much. Great. Okay.

Anybody else wishing to testify on this measure? Members, are there any questions of our testifier provided to come today? Okay. Moving on to our last measure, which is, HCR102 and HR94. And this is urging the Department of Education in collaboration with the Department of Health and Office of Wellness and Resilience to establish a statewide peer counselor program to address youth loneliness and social disconnection in Hawaii school.

And we have, in support the Department of Education. Are they not present in person? In support the Office of Wellness and Resilience. Thank you very much. And then support, do we have on Zoom Katie Smith or Ray Ward?

Okay. Go ahead, Katie. Sorry. You're not there?

I think she's coming on. Aloha.

I was just trying to figure out how to get my camera on.

It works. We can see you and hear you.

Awesome. Okay. Good morning, Chairs Martin and Takayama and Vice Chairs Olds and Keohokapu-Lee Loy and Members of the Committee on Human Services and Homelessness and Hawaiian and Committee on Health. My name is Katie a Smith, and I am writing I'm a resident of Kailua Kona on the island of Hawaii, and I am writing in strong support of 002 HD1. As a social worker in my last semester of my MSW, I believe that getting mental health services into the hands of our youth is imperative.

Per HCR102 HD1, peer counselors and peer support models have been proven to reduce stigma associated with seeking minimal health support, encourage a sense of belonging, and improve the school climate when implemented appropriately and with the correct training and supports. This bill will provide a vital lifeline for our most, vulnerable populations. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to provide testimony and for considering this important legislation. I urge the committee to pass HCR102 HD1.

Thank you very much for your testimony. Do we also have, Ray Ward? Okay. Go ahead, Ray. Yes.

Hi. Aloha Chairs, Vice Chairs, and Committee Members. My name is Ray Ward, and I'm a person with lived experience. I'm also a master's of social work candidate with the University of Hawaii at Manoa and have been a certified substance use counselor for over a decade. I share this testimony with you strictly as an individual who actively works with a peer counselor.

I strongly support HDR102 HD1. This legislation is important to me because I have struggled with feelings of loneliness for most of my life. As a teenager, I was not taught the importance of active listening or setting boundaries, the signs and impacts of trauma, the benefits of cultural connection, even what mental health was or how I could seek help if I needed it.

When I was in high school, I was a nerd, a geek, a straight a student until my senior year when I decided I was tired of being little miss goody two shoes. I was tired of feeling like I didn't belong anywhere, so I turned to using substances as a way to rebel, find belonging, and cope with the emotions I was experiencing.

While using substances, I was subjected to trauma that I wouldn't wish on any teenager, and it has only been within the last few months that I have become aware of the extent of this trauma and have begun to work with a therapist to address it. I am now 36. My trauma occurred when I was 17.

I believe that if I had been taught about boundaries, consent, trauma, and emotional intelligence when I was in high school, I may have had a better chance at avoiding the trauma or seeking help sooner. I currently work with a peer counselor through the WeConnect Health app.

Anyone can receive ninety days of free peer support when they download the app and use the code free support 90. So I encourage everyone to give it a try. They also have a variety of peer support meetings available on their website, and I believe their business model may be an excellent example to base Hawaii's peer counselor program on. My peer, Megan, has helped me to alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation. She has helped me create safety plans for navigating difficult decisions in my life.

She has helped me increase my feelings of belonging and inspires me to keep advocating for the health and well-being of all marginalized peoples, especially native Hawaiians and other indigenous people. I talked to Megan about things I do not feel safe talking to other helping professionals about because I know Megan has lived experience as a peer and is likely is less likely to judge or shame me for my behaviors. Furthermore, over the last school year, I've had the privilege to intern with Papa Ola Lokahi.

During my time with them, I have learned that native Hawaiians are consistently overrepresented in various social services, including substance use disorder treatment and incarceration for drug offenses. Studies show that treatment models incorporating cultural reconnection and native perspectives are more influential in fostering better health for native peoples.

With this being said, it is evident that a peer counselor program grounded in Palina, relationships and connection, Kai'ulu, or community, and Aina, land, would be extremely beneficial for addressing youth loneliness and social disconnection. As a result of my personal experiences with loneliness and substance use as a teenager and my experiences as an adult working with a peer counselor, I highly recommend voting in support of HCR 102 HD one.

Passing this resolution would positively impact youth in Hawaii by, one, providing teenagers with much needed peer support for decreasing loneliness, increasing meaningful connections, preventing unsafe behaviors, and reducing stigma around mental health disorders. Number two, creating a centralized state hub with local chapters responsive to the needs of their respective communities. And three, developing a standardized training program for the peer counselors that teaches active listening, ethical boundaries, trauma informed care, and culturally grounded healing practices.

Please vote yes on HCR102 HD1 to help protect other teenagers from experiencing the trauma that I endured. Mahalo for your consideration.

Thank you very much. Is there anyone else wishing to testify on this measure? Seeing none, members, are there any questions of our testifiers? Seeing none, we'll go straight into decision making. So chair recommends passing HCR67 and HR61 as

is for the human services. Vice President Bill, please.

Thank you, Chair. Members voting on HCR67 HR61 in tandem. Chair's recommendation is to pass unamended. [Roll call]

[Roll call]

[Roll call]

[Roll call]

Thank you. Vice Chair for the vote.

Thank you, Chair Members. HCR67 HR61. Chair's recommendation is to pass as is. [Roll call]

[Roll call]

[Roll call]

Chair, your recommendation is adopted. K.

And our last measure, HCR102 and HR94, both of them HD1s. Again, the recommendation is to cast fast paced. Case. Any comments? Seeing none, Vice Chair.

Thank you. Chair of members voting on HCR102 HD1, HR94 HD1. Chair's recommendation is passed, unamended. Noting all members present. Any members voting no?

With reservations? Chair, recommendation is adopted.

Thank you all for being here. May I ask? Oh, no.

No. That one's not a choice. Not okay. Yeah. It's just the windows.

K. Thank you for asking.