SUPPORTING HAWAII'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND GREATLY APPRECIATING THE SACRIFICES MADE TO PROTECT AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES.

HCR148

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

148

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

supporting Hawaii's law enforcement officers and greatly
Appreciating the sacrifices made to protect and serve our communities
.

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WHEREAS, more
than 2,700 law enforcement officers in the State risk their lives daily to
serve and protect their communities; and

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WHEREAS, the
law enforcement officers of the State perform their difficult and dangerous job
honorably and professionally; and

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WHEREAS, dedicated
efforts by law enforcement officers have successfully brought down the crime
rate over the past decade, positioning the state of Hawaii as fifth in the
nation for low violent crime rates according to U.S. News and World Report; and

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WHEREAS, the
environment for officers has become increasingly more hostile and their safety
more precarious; and

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WHEREAS, over
a 170 years ago, the first Hawaii Police officer gave his life to ensure the
safety of residents; and

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WHEREAS, Hawaii
Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation has recognized the continued sacrifice of
our law enforcement professionals, noting that eighty-four men and women have
died in the line of duty for the residents of Hawaii; and

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WHEREAS, Hawaii
experienced a recent tragedy when Maui police officer, Suzanne O, was killed in
the line of duty in response to a shooting incident at the Pāʻia
Sugar Mill off Baldwin Avenue on August 15, 2025; and

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WHEREAS, law
enforcement officers typically encounter between 400 and 600 traumatic events
during their career as an officer, compared to three or four traumatic events
encountered by the average citizen; and

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WHEREAS, the
unusually high number of traumatic events experienced by law enforcement
officers has contributed to a fifty-four percent higher suicide rate among
officers than among other workers in the United States; and

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WHEREAS, over
the last decade, law enforcement officer vacancies have continued to grow
leaving the City and County of Honolulu alone with over 400 vacant positions;
and

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WHEREAS, the
high vacancy rate has resulted in a dangerously low level of sworn officers
able to serve and protect Hawaii�s communities; and

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WHEREAS, supporting
law enforcement officers with the equipment, training, and funding needed to
protect communities from criminal violence has long received overwhelming
public support across the political spectrum; now, therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that these
bodies support Hawaii�s law enforcement officers and greatly appreciate the
sacrifices made to protect and serve our communities; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Thirty-third Legislature remembers and honors those
officers and their families who have experienced death or injury in the line of
duty; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that increased measures be taken to maximize the safety and
well-being of officers, including more policing personnel, improved training
and equipment, tougher penalties for assaulting or killing a law enforcement
professional, and increased mental health resources for officers; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that all levels of government shall ensure that law enforcement
professionals receive the support and resources needed to keep the State safe;
and

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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this
Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the
Governor, Director of Law
Enforcement, Chief of Police of the Honolulu Police Department, Chief of Police
of the Maui Police Department, Chief of Police of the Hawaii Police Department,
and Chief of Police of the Kauai Police Department.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Law
Enforcement; Police Department; Officers; Public Safety