Requesting The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs To Establish And Provide Legislative Engagement Forums To Educate And Empower The Native Hawaiian Community Regarding The Legislative Process.
Summary
SCR92 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to establish legislative engagement forums for the Native Hawaiian community. The resolution frames these forums as a way to educate participants about how the legislative process works, including bill drafting, committee hearings, testimony submission, and other forms of civic participation. It also encourages OHA to use a mix of in-person workshops, virtual seminars, outreach, educational materials, and mentorship opportunities to make the forums accessible and useful across the state.
The resolution further asks OHA to collaborate with community organizations, educational institutions, and legislative bodies, and to consider forming an advisory group of Native Hawaiian leaders, educators, and policy experts. It also urges OHA to provide an annual report to the Legislature describing the activities, participation, impact, and recommendations related to the forums. As a concurrent resolution, SCR92 expresses legislative intent and requests action; it does not itself create a new statutory program or directly amend state law.
Impact
SCR92 does not change the Hawaii Revised Statutes or impose a mandatory legal duty, but it directs attention to OHA’s existing role in advocacy and support for Native Hawaiians. Its practical effect would be to encourage OHA to develop educational programming and report back to the Legislature, potentially shaping how OHA allocates outreach resources and how Native Hawaiians engage with the legislative process. The resolution primarily affects the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Native Hawaiian community organizations, and community members seeking greater access to civic education and legislative participation.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad support for the measure. In the Senate Hawaiian Affairs Committee, the resolution passed 4-0 with amendments, indicating unanimous support among voting members and a generally favorable view of the proposal. The bill’s framing around empowerment, education, and community engagement also reflects a positive, supportive tone in the text itself.
Contention
There is little visible contention in the available record. The resolution is nonbinding and largely aspirational, so it does not appear to have generated disagreement over regulatory burden or legal authority. Any potential points of discussion are likely limited to implementation details, such as whether OHA has sufficient capacity, how the forums should be structured, and whether annual reporting or an advisory group is the best way to measure effectiveness and ensure community input.
Same As
Requesting The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs To Establish And Provide Legislative Engagement Forums To Educate And Empower The Native Hawaiian Community Regarding The Legislative Process.
Recognizing Hawaiian Council For 25 Years Of Dedicated Service, Impactful Leadership, And Steadfast Advocacy On Behalf Of The Native Hawaiian Community.
Requesting The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs To Establish And Provide Legislative Engagement Forums To Educate And Empower The Native Hawaiian Community Regarding The Legislative Process.