Bill > SR51

This Resolution officially recognizes 2022 as "Malama Makuahine: Year of the Mother," with "malama" meaning to care for and "makuahine" meaning mother in Hawaiian. It highlights the immense value of mothers and the family unit, known as "ohana" in Hawaii, which encompasses blood relatives, marriage, and adoption and can be both nuclear and extended, with bonds lasting for generations. The resolution acknowledges that mothers are the female backbone of the family and that their well-being should be cared for, emphasizing that a woman's status is tied to her mother and that the connection to ohana is crucial for a child's identity. It recognizes that mothers, regardless of their background, have consistently driven societal progress and worked towards a better future for the next generation, often performing vital but undervalued and unpaid work. The resolution also points out that mothers have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, facing increased burdens of home, work, and childcare, alongside health issues, domestic violence, and unemployment, leading many to leave the workforce. Despite facing stereotypes and bias, mothers in Hawaii are celebrated for forging new paths and expanding opportunities for their children. Therefore, the resolution urges the people of Hawaii to express love, respect, care, and gratitude to mothers through various events and activities throughout the state, and directs that certified copies be sent to relevant government officials.