Bill > HR110

This resolution requests the Executive Office on Aging (EOA) to collaborate with the University of Hawaii at Manoa Center on Aging to establish a Kupuna Workforce Innovation Hub, focusing on implementing short-term strategies from the 2025 Strengthening Hawaii's Long-Term Direct Care Workforce Strategic Plan. The resolution acknowledges the challenges facing direct care workers, including low wages, limited benefits, and inadequate training, and aims to address these issues by creating a hub that will meet with stakeholders, gather data, and develop improved workforce strategies. Specifically, the University of Hawaii is asked to meet with key stakeholders to improve direct care worker recruitment and retention, standardize core competencies in aging, enhance training curriculum, and better understand workforce gaps. The resolution further requests that the University of Hawaii submit a report with findings and recommendations to the EOA prior to the 2026 Regular Session, which the EOA should then include in its annual report to the Legislature. The term "Kupuna" is a Hawaiian word meaning elder or grandparent, reflecting the resolution's focus on supporting aging and direct care workforce development in Hawaii.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HR&billnumber=110&year=2025