THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1304

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO NATIVE HAWAIIANS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that health disparities are differences in the incidence, prevalence, burden, and adverse outcomes of diseases and higher mortality rates.  Disparities simply imply differences.  The legislature further finds that current data suggests that health equity refers to the attainment of the highest level of health and well-being for all people in a particular society and valuing everyone equally.  In order to achieve health equity, efforts must be made to address avoidable inequalities and injustices.  Some of the differences are preventable and some are not.  Disparities based on factors like education level, disability status, income, or housing conditions are factors which can be addressed.

     To address these health inequities, Act 155, Session Laws of Hawaii 2014, was intended to reduce health disparities for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders, and Filipino communities through identifying and addressing social determinants of health.  To further address these health inequities, S.R. No. 60, S.D. 1, regular session of 2014, created a Native Hawaiian health task force, to specifically improve the health of Native Hawaiians with implications for other Pacific Islanders and all people of Hawaii by focusing on health inequities that are preventable and avoidable.  The goal of the task force was to articulate priority areas that will help to advance health equity for Native Hawaiians, and in turn, the health of Hawaii's entire population.  The framework and recommendations by the task force discussed were embraced by community members, agencies, government, and individuals in addition to those who view themselves as native-serving institutions.  This work was community- and land-focused and emphasized Native Hawaiian values and aspirations.  The task force also recognized the past efforts in this matter.  The task force used nā pou kihi as the cultural framework to organize its findings and recommendations. Consistent with the hale (home) as a metaphor for establishing a healthy and vibrant Native Hawaiian population, nā pou kihi reflects the four corner posts of a hale necessary to support the weight of the hale and everyone who resides under its roof.  Thus, nā pou kihi represents the four important domains of Native Hawaiian health and well-being that need to be addressed, and they are consistent with the social and cultural determinants of health model used by the task force as well as the priorities outlined in the 2017 Senate majority package.

     One aspect of nā pou kihi, referred to by the task force as ke ao ōiwi, focuses on Native Hawaiian cultural space, which includes cultural values, practices, customs, and rights as indigenous peoples that define Native Hawaiians as the host and indigenous population in Hawaii.  It also refers to Native Hawaiian's ability to exercise indigenous prerogatives and aspirations and express their cultural identity, without discrimination or prejudice, within the larger society of Hawaii.  Ke ao ōiwi is what makes Hawaii special and provides the values that bind the people of Hawaii to one another. Native Hawaiian expertise in cultural practices are valued and required for certain seats on decision-making bodies, such as in the areas of tourism, land use, education, and community and economic development.  Native Hawaiians should be involved in the decision making processes for state governmental actions and for policy decisions, especially when the policies are designed to directly impact Native Hawaiian communities the most.  Additionally, Native Hawaiian leaders have demonstrated their ability to effectively address the well-being of their communities by advocating for cultural integrity in community health promotion programs.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a Native Hawaiian public policy advisory council to be temporarily administratively housed within the lieutenant governor's office to:

     (1)  Provide guidance to the governor on issues that impact Native Hawaiians and their communities, including Native Hawaiian health outcomes; and

     (2)  Establish, update, and maintain a directory or registry of Native Hawaiian professionals and community leaders with an understanding of Hawaiian culture for governor-appointed leadership positions, boards, and commissions at the state and county levels of government to better incorporate culturally relevant perspectives into statewide initiatives.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established the Native Hawaiian public policy advisory council to be administratively under the office of the lieutenant governor for a period of three years, after which it shall be administratively attached to the department of accounting and general services.

     (b)  The Native Hawaiian public policy advisory council shall:

     (1)  Provide guidance to the governor and legislature on issues that impact Native Hawaiians and their communities, including Native Hawaiian health outcomes; and

     (2)  Establish, update, and maintain a directory or registry of Native Hawaiian professionals and community leaders with an understanding of Hawaiian culture for governor-appointed leadership positions, boards, and commissions at the state and county levels of government to better incorporate culturally relevant perspectives into statewide initiatives.

     (c) The Native Hawaiian public policy advisory council shall be comprised of individuals, to be selected by the lieutenant governor, who have demonstrated commitment and experience toward working with the Native Hawaiian population:

     (1)  Two representatives of the health community;

     (2)  One representative of the environmental community;

     (3)  One representative of the legal community;

     (4)  One representative of the education community;

     (5)  One representative of the business community;

     (6)  One cultural practitioner;

     (7)  One representative of the criminal justice community;

     (8)  The director of health or the director's designee, to serve as an ex-officio member;

     (9)  The chair of the department of Native Hawaiian health of the John A. Burns School of Medicine or the chair's designee; and

    (10)  The chief executive officer of the Office of Hawaiian affairs, or the chief executive officer's designee.

     (d)  In addition to the members listed in subsection (c), there shall be two members representing the general community to be selected collectively by the director of health, the chair of the department of Native Hawaiian health of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, and the chief executive officer of the Office of Hawaiian affairs.

     (e)  In addition to the members under subsections (c) and (d), the council shall also include:

     (1)  One member of the senate having primary responsibility over Hawaiian affairs; and

     (2)  One member of the house of representative having primary jurisdiction over Hawaiian affairs;

provided that these members shall be non-voting members.

     (f)  Except members representing the senate and house of representatives, all members shall serve a three-year term with each member serving a maximum of two consecutive terms.  The members shall select a chairperson, who shall be responsible for convening council meetings and facilitating the establishment of procedural rules.

     (g)  Members shall serve without compensation and without reimbursement for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for performance of their duties.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Native Hawaiian Public Policy Advisory Council; Lieutenant Governor

 

Description:

Establish a Native Hawaiian public policy advisory council to be temporarily administratively housed within the lieutenant governor's office to provide guidance to the governor on significant policies impacting Native Hawaiians and to establish, update, and maintain a directory or registry of Native Hawaiian professionals and community leaders with an understanding of Hawaiian culture for governor-appointed leadership positions, boards, and commissions at the state and county levels.

 

 

 

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