Video & Transcript Research : 'hearing instruments'

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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HSH-HLT Joint Public Hearing - Tue Apr 7, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Human Services & Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:
  • We can see you and hear you. Awesome. Okay.
  • We can see you and hear you. Awesome. Okay.
  • We can see you and hear you. Awesome. Okay.
  • We can see you and hear you. Awesome. Okay.
  • you and hear you. you and hear you. Awesome.<00:08:11.080> Okay. Awesome. Okay.
Bills: HCR67, HCR102, HR61, HR94
Summary: The joint Committee on Human Services and Homelessness and Committee on Health heard two measures on April 7, 2026. HCR 67/HR 61 would request the Disability and Communication Access Board to study communication needs in health care settings for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and develop guidelines. Written testimony supported the measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, DCAB, Local Independent Living Hawaii, and one individual. A DCAB representative noted the proposal could serve as a backup if related measures do not move forward. No one testified in opposition, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended. The second measure, HCR 102/HR 94, urged the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Office of Wellness and Resilience, to establish a statewide peer counselor program to address youth loneliness and social disconnection in schools. Support came from the Department of Education, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, and individual testifiers Katie Smith and Ray Ward. Smith said peer support can reduce stigma, increase belonging, and improve school climate. Ward, speaking from lived experience, described the harms of loneliness and trauma and said a peer counselor program could provide culturally grounded support and safer pathways to help. No opposition was offered, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended.