RELATING TO HUMAN AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.

SB2705

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2705

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to HUMAN AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE
.

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

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SECTION
1.
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The legislature finds that food
security and healthy diets are essential for positive youth development,
thriving families, and resilient communities.
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Yet according to the Hawaii Foodbank, more than thirty per cent of
households are food insecure, a level that is higher than during the pandemic.

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The
legislature further finds that one of the university of Hawaii at Manoa college
of tropical agriculture and human resilience's core missions is to help local
families with food security, and the college intends to build a new human and community
resilience institute that is community-based and data-driven.
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The institute plans to unite the centers and
programs with a shared purpose to increase children's food and nutritional
security, positive youth development and health outcomes, family well-being, and
community resilience.
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The institute plans
to include a center on the family, children's healthy living center, Hawaii nutrition
center, expanded food and nutrition education program, and a statewide Hawaii
4-H youth development program.
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The
objectives of the institute are to:

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(1)
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Conduct community needs assessments, policy
analyses, and program evaluations to drive family and community resilience in
collaboration with governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations;

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(2)
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Develop and implement data-driven, family, and
community-based approaches to enhance food and nutritional security, family
well-being, and community resilience;

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(3)
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Build 4-H youth development programs that
foster food and farming entrepreneurship, healthy eating habits, and resilient
food systems and community leadership;

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(4)
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Build capacity for basic nutrition and healthy
eating education in communities, K-12 schools, and colleges; and

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(5)
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Develop a new community-engaged scholarship
and learning program, a master community nutrition education volunteer program,
and a new master's degree program in family and community resilience.

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The
purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the college of tropical
agriculture and human resilience for the development of its human and community
resilience institute.

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SECTION
2.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$ or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the development of a human
and community resilience institute at the university of Hawaii at Manoa college
of tropical agriculture and human resilience and for twelve staff positions,
which shall include four community nutrition associates, four 4-H program
coordinators, one analytical chemist, one nutrient data analyst, one data center
manager, and one community-based program impact evaluator.

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The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of
this Act.

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SECTION 3.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

UH; CTAHR;
Food Security; Human and Community Resilience Institute; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa College
of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience for the development of its human
and community resilience institute.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.