Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HB67

Introduced
1/19/23  
Refer
1/25/23  
Introduced
1/19/23  
Report Pass
2/14/23  
Refer
1/25/23  
Report Pass
2/14/23  
Report Pass
3/2/23  
Refer
2/14/23  
Report Pass
3/2/23  
Refer
3/9/23  
Engrossed
3/2/23  
Report Pass
3/24/23  
Refer
3/9/23  
Report Pass
3/24/23  
Report Pass
4/6/23  
Refer
3/24/23  

Caption

Making An Appropriation For The Pu`uhonua Program.

Impact

The Act underscores the critical need for funding beyond the expiration of current grant resources. It proposes the establishment of full-time equivalent positions to support the program, which is essential for the administration of courses in disciplines like liberal arts and Hawaiian studies. This funding is framed as necessary not only for continuing existing educational efforts but also for ensuring that at-risk youth within the correctional settings can access vital educational resources that contribute to their rehabilitation.

Summary

House Bill 67 (HB67) seeks to appropriate funds for the Pu`uhonua Program at the University of Hawaii Windward Community College, aimed at providing educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals. This program has been in operation since 2017 and is noted for its success in offering college courses that lead to degrees and certificates. The legislation highlights that the students involved in the Pu`uhonua Program typically have a high average GPA of 3.6 and are significantly less prone to reincarceration after completing their courses.

Contention

While the bill promotes a forward-thinking approach to education within correctional facilities, discussions around it may focus on the balance between funding educational programs and addressing broader concerns about criminal justice reform and the allocation of state resources. Critics might raise questions about whether sufficient emphasis is being placed on traditional deterrents versus rehabilitation and whether funding could potentially detract from other vital social services.

Companion Bills

HI HB67

Carry Over Making An Appropriation For The Pu`uhonua Program.

Previously Filed As

HI HB67

Making An Appropriation For The Pu`uhonua Program.

HI SB3068

Making Appropriations For Wildfire Recovery.

HI HB1826

Relating To Education For Mental Health Professionals.

HI SB2676

Making An Appropriation For The Office Of The Long-term Care Ombudsman Program.

HI SB710

Relating To Incarcerated Women.

HI SB2433

Relating To Offender Reentry Programs.

HI HB1824

Making An Appropriation For The Office Of The Long-term Care Ombudsman Program.

HI HB1148

Relating To Mental Health.

HI HB1148

Relating To Mental Health.

HI SB0191

Appropriations: department of corrections; appropriations for fiscal year 2023-2024; provide for. Creates appropriation act.

Similar Bills

HI HB67

Making An Appropriation For The Pu`uhonua Program.

HI HB1826

Relating To Education For Mental Health Professionals.

HI SB712

Relating To Corrections.

HI HB1130

Relating To Corrections.

HI HCR195

Requesting The University Of Hawaii System To Establish A Veterinary Medicine Expansion Working Group To Explore The Feasibility Of Developing A Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine Program At Windward Community College.

HI HR188

Requesting The University Of Hawaii System To Establish A Veterinary Medicine Expansion Working Group To Explore The Feasibility Of Developing A Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine Program At Windward Community College.

HI SR172

Requesting The University Of Hawaii System To Establish A Veterinary Medicine Expansion Working Group To Explore The Feasibility Of Developing A Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine Program At Windward Community College.

HI SCR192

Requesting The University Of Hawaii System To Establish A Veterinary Medicine Expansion Working Group To Explore The Feasibility Of Developing A Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine Program.