HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.C.R. NO. 174 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 H.D. 1 STATE OF HAWAII S.D. 1 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' OFFICE OF YOUTH SERVICES AND JUVENILE JUSTICE STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL TO CONTINUE THE USE OF AINA-BASED LEARNING PROGRAMS OFFERED TO YOUTH IN THE JUVENILE LEGAL SYSTEM.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.C.R. NO. 174
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII S.D. 1
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.C.R. NO.
174
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
S.D. 1
HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' OFFICE OF YOUTH SERVICES AND JUVENILE JUSTICE STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL TO CONTINUE THE USE OF AINA-BASED LEARNING PROGRAMS OFFERED TO YOUTH IN THE JUVENILE LEGAL SYSTEM.
WHEREAS, research shows that charging fees, fines, costs, and restitution to youth is harmful to young people and their families; and WHEREAS, in Hawaii, the consequences of such costs fall disproportionately on Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and African-American youth, who are more likely to be arrested, detained, and unable to afford fees, fines, costs, and restitution; and WHEREAS, youth involved in the juvenile justice system are frequently ordered to complete hours of community service in lieu of court costs; and WHEREAS, in Hawaii, typical community service opportunities do not give youth a chance to connect back with their culture and the land, preventing rehabilitation and healing; and WHEREAS, this disconnection from culture increases the likelihood of intergenerational trauma and recidivism; and WHEREAS, aina-based learning is grounded in teaching and learning through aina, which encompasses the land, ocean, air, and all living things; and WHEREAS, aina-based learning offers an opportunity for minors to carry on the practices of their kupuna, strengthening families and communities; and WHEREAS, through aina-based approaches, learners can deepen their relationships with the natural environment, cultivating connections with their communities and building critical skills that can be applied to real-world issues; and WHEREAS, the majority of organizations utilizing aina-based learning are not-for-profit organizations eager to support youth; and WHEREAS, Hawaii has already committed to providing aina-based education and stewardship opportunities to youth through the Aloha+ Challenge; and WHEREAS, the State has been using aina-based approaches with collaborative partnerships at the Kawailoa Youth and Family Wellness Center; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Human Services' Office of Youth Services and Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council are requested to continue the use of aina-based learning programs offered to youth in the juvenile legal system; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Human Services' Office of Youth Services and Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council are requested to create and disseminate a list of organizations employing aina-based learning that the courts may use to assign community service to minors in the family court system; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Human Services, Executive Director of the Office of Youth Services, and Chairperson of the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council. Report Title: Office of Youth Services; Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council; Aina-based Learning Programs; Juvenile Legal SysteM
WHEREAS, research shows that charging fees, fines, costs, and restitution to youth is harmful to young people and their families; and
WHEREAS, in Hawaii, the consequences of such costs fall disproportionately on Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and African-American youth, who are more likely to be arrested, detained, and unable to afford fees, fines, costs, and restitution; and
WHEREAS, youth involved in the juvenile justice system are frequently ordered to complete hours of community service in lieu of court costs; and
WHEREAS, in Hawaii, typical community service opportunities do not give youth a chance to connect back with their culture and the land, preventing rehabilitation and healing; and
WHEREAS, this disconnection from culture increases the likelihood of intergenerational trauma and recidivism; and
WHEREAS, aina-based learning is grounded in teaching and learning through aina, which encompasses the land, ocean, air, and all living things; and
WHEREAS, aina-based learning offers an opportunity for minors to carry on the practices of their kupuna, strengthening families and communities; and
WHEREAS, through aina-based approaches, learners can deepen their relationships with the natural environment, cultivating connections with their communities and building critical skills that can be applied to real-world issues; and
WHEREAS, the majority of organizations utilizing aina-based learning are not-for-profit organizations eager to support youth; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii has already committed to providing aina-based education and stewardship opportunities to youth through the Aloha+ Challenge; and
WHEREAS, the State has been using aina-based approaches with collaborative partnerships at the Kawailoa Youth and Family Wellness Center; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Human Services' Office of Youth Services and Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council are requested to continue the use of aina-based learning programs offered to youth in the juvenile legal system; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Human Services' Office of Youth Services and Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council are requested to create and disseminate a list of organizations employing aina-based learning that the courts may use to assign community service to minors in the family court system; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Human Services, Executive Director of the Office of Youth Services, and Chairperson of the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council.
Report Title:
Office of Youth Services; Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council; Aina-based Learning Programs; Juvenile Legal SysteM