THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

133

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING NA KUPUNA O WAIANAE TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN CHILDREN IN CHILD CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS.

 

 


     WHEREAS, there is no resource that is more vital to the continued existence and integrity of native Hawaiians than their children; and

 

     WHEREAS, approximately fifty per cent of the foster care cases under the jurisdiction of the Department of Human Services involve native Hawaiian families; and

 

     WHEREAS, native Hawaiian communities have expressed concern that cultural needs are not being given the importance that they should with regard to the placement of children in custody proceedings; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State should adopt a policy to protect the cultural and traditional interests of native Hawaiian children and promote the stability and security of native Hawaiian families; and

 

     WHEREAS, such a policy should include standards for the removal of native Hawaiian children from their families and the placement of these children in hanai or lawe hanai homes that will reflect the unique values of native Hawaiian culture; and

 

     WHEREAS, native Hawaiians should be provided assistance in navigating child and family service programs; and

 

     WHEREAS, H.B. No. 1895, H.D. 1, Regular Session of 2008, provides the framework for the Native Hawaiian Child Welfare Act, which establishes custody proceedings for native Hawaiian children; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the House of Representatives concurring, that Na Kupuna O Waianae is requested to convene a task force to determine the feasibility of implementing the provisions of Part I of H.B. No. 1895, H.D. 1 (2008); and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Na Kupuna O Waianae is requested to include in the task force representatives of the following:

 

     (1)  The Department of Human Services;

 

     (2)  The Office of Hawaiian Affairs;

 

     (3)  The Hawaii Foster Parent Association;

 

     (4)  The Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition;

 

     (5)  The Hawaii Youth Services Network;

 

     (6)  The Department of the Attorney General;

 

     (7)  Honolulu Community Action Program - Leeward District;

 

     (8)  The Legacy Coalition;

 

     (9)  Na Kupuna O Kahana; and

 

    (10)  Any other individuals or organizations that Na Kupuna O Waianae deems necessary; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to examine, among other things, the feasibility of a one-year pilot project based on Part III of H.B. No. 1895, H.D. 1 (2008), which requires a pilot project of no more than twenty-five cases handled in accordance with procedures set forth in the bill; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit an interim report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009, and a final report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2010; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Human Services and the Administrator of Na Kupuna O Waianae.

Report Title: 

DHS Task Force; Native Hawaiian Child Custody Proceedings