Hawaii House Bill HCR114

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/14/25

Caption

Requesting The Executive Office On Aging To Partner With The University Of Hawaii At Manoa Center On Aging To Establish A Kupuna Workforce Innovation Hub To Implement Short-term Strategies Outlined In The 2025 Strengthening Hawaii's Long-term Direct Care Workforce Strategic Plan.

Impact

The proposed innovation hub is intended to address significant challenges within the direct care workforce, including low wages and insufficient training. It seeks to enhance the recruitment and retention of direct care workers by standardizing training curricula and improving employment conditions. This initiative aligns with national trends in workforce development while addressing Hawaii’s unique demographics and labor market challenges as the state faces significant population aging and worker migration issues.

Summary

HCR114 is a House Concurrent Resolution from the Hawaii State Legislature requesting the Executive Office on Aging to collaborate with the University of Hawaii at Manoa Center on Aging. The resolution aims to establish a Kupuna Workforce Innovation Hub, focusing on implementing short-term strategies outlined in the 2025 Strengthening Hawaii's Long-Term Direct Care Workforce Strategic Plan. This initiative is prompted by the recognition of direct care workers as essential to the long-term care system, yet often underappreciated in terms of compensation and opportunities.

Contention

While the resolution presents a proactive approach to addressing workforce issues in direct elder care, potential points of contention may arise regarding funding, implementation logistics, and the effectiveness of the proposed changes. Stakeholders, including healthcare advocates and policymakers, will need to navigate these areas to ensure that the proposed strategies effectively meet the growing needs of Hawaii’s aging population. The resolution underscores the importance of improving cultural competencies and addressing the gaps in understanding the needs of both direct care workers and the elderly they serve.