Honolulu – In a stride to bolster safety and support for its residents, Governor Josh Green signed multiple bills into law, touching on issues from water safety to elder care. Among them, according to details obtained from the Office of the Governor's news release, is SB 1221, which mandates rigorous safety protocols around water retention and detention ponds to prevent potential drownings. The legislation comes as a response to high drowning rates and aims to pay homage to cultural perspectives on water in Hawaii.
The law, also known as Act 281, now requires counties to enforce a permitting process for pond construction while obligating owners to maintain and to submit safety plans. This includes erecting secure fencing and displaying warning signs. Representative Jeanne Kapela conveyed the urgency of such provisions, stating, "By regulating retention and detention ponds and requiring clear safety protocols, we are creating safer environments and honoring the memory of Charlotte ‘Sharkey’ Schaefers." Schaefers, whose tragic loss the bill commemorates, was a five-year-old girl who perished while saving a friend from a detention pond in 2004. Her bravery sparked this legal initiative, with the hope that such accidents are to never happen again. The Governor echoed this sentiment, adding that the bill aims to "uplift those in our community" through enhanced safety measures.
Additionally, the state has directed attention to the kūpuna, or elders, with the extension of the kūpuna rent supplement program under House Bill 703, now Act 282. This program, which aids senior citizens in securing housing and receiving additional support services, was initially set to conclude in 2026. However, it will now extend until 2028. The new legislation also addresses the growing concern for Hawai‘i's aging demographic with Senate Bill 1252, or Act 283, which funds training and educational initiatives to tackle dementia and Alzheimer's, channeling $525,000 for each of the fiscal years 2026 and 2027 into the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa's curriculum development.
The move directly impacts the state's healthcare capabilities. Senator Stanley Chang related personally to the implications of Act 283, sharing that "as someone whose father suffered from dementia, this bill is very personally meaningful to me." AARP Hawaii’s Advocacy Associate Director Audrey Suga-Nakagawa applauded these efforts, remarking, "SB 1252 strengthens our healthcare system by investing in dementia education and workforce development." These initiatives are being seen as crucial steps towards enabling the elderly to continue living with dignity in their communities, as per the Office of the Governor.
In total, Governor Green enacted four pieces of legislation aimed at bringing to reality a safer and more supportive Hawaii for all generations. The complete list of bills, including HB 320 relating to supported decision-making agreements, can be found on the official governor's website, providing detailed insight into the laws recently put into place.
