Today, we signed four measures into law today to strengthen Hawai‘i’s public safety through the enactment of safety measures and protocols surrounding retention and detention ponds, as well as legislation that implements education and safeguards for pressing kūpuna issues.
Senate Bill 1221 (Act 281) establishes safety measures and regulations for retention and detention ponds. This bill is a legacy enactment in memory of Charlotte ‘Sharkey’ Schaefers, a brave 5-year-old hero who risked her life to save a friend stuck in a detention pond in 2004.
House Bill 703 (Act 282) extends the sunset date for the state’s kūpuna rent supplement program.
Senate Bill 1252 (Act 283) allocates funding for training and educational programs at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s John A. Burns School of Medicine. This initiative aims to enhance our understanding and coordination of care for kūpuna in our communities who are living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
House Bill 320 (ACT 284) allows qualified adults, including adults with a disability, mentally ill adults, and adults sixty-five years of age or older, to enter into supported decision-making agreements with one or more members of a supportive community.
This is about the safety and well-being of our ‘ohana and setting a chain of positive intention to uplift those in our community. These newly enacted laws will provide members of our communities with tools to secure housing, better understand Alzheimer’s disease, and prevent drowning incidents. I am grateful for the community leaders and advocates who identified critical needs and helped bring these quality of life measures to fruition.
... See MoreSee Less
Join Gov. Josh Green in this press conference regarding kūpuna care. Details TBA at press conference.
... See MoreSee Less
Join Gov. Josh Green in this press conference regarding water safety. Details TBA at press conference.
... See MoreSee Less
Governor Josh Green, M.D., U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie K. Hirono, and U.S. Representatives Ed Case and Jill Tokuda today released the following statement after Congress passed a Republican tax bill that will cut healthcare coverage through Med-QUEST for more than 40,000 people in Hawai‘i, gut food assistance programs that more than 20,000 Hawai‘i families rely on, and raise the national debt by $3.3 trillion. The bill now goes to the president to be signed into law.
“The Republican tax bill breaks promises, and guts funding for healthcare and food assistance that thousands of Hawai‘i families rely on every day. It’s a terrible bill that we all strongly opposed.
“While it won’t be easy to stop all the damage from these cuts, we’re moving quickly to protect our communities. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be meeting with state and local officials, community partners, and service providers to assess the fiscal impact on Hawai‘i and develop operational plans to blunt the harm. That includes coordinating resources, setting local priorities, and making sure the most vulnerable aren’t left without support. These next few years won’t be easy, but we are mobilizing now to respond, protect our people, and make sure Hawai‘i can weather what’s coming.”
... See MoreSee Less
This Fourth of July, celebrate safely and legally. We’ve just signed tough new laws to crack down on illegal fireworks. Felonies, steep fines, jail time — it’s not worth the risk. Keep your ‘ohana safe. Leave the fireworks to the pros.
... See MoreSee Less
;
