REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE COST AND SCOPE OF A COMPREHENSIVE, STATEWIDE SURVEY OF MĀHŪ, LGBTQIA+, AND QTPI+ COMMUNITIES IN HAWAII.

SR158

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

158

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

requesting the LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE bureau to CONDUCT a
study on the cost and scope of a comprehensive, statewide survey of m
ĀhŪ, lgbtqia+, and Qtpi+
communities in hawaii
.

����
WHEREAS, individuals
who embody both masculine and feminine spirit in Native Hawaiian culture, known
as a M
āhū, have
historically held respected roles as teachers, healers, and cultural
practitioners, serving as vital carriers of knowledge and traditions within
Hawaiian society
; and

����
WHEREAS, the
diverse queer and trans identities across the Pacific Islands, often referred
to collectively as queer and trans Pacific Islanders (QTPI+) identities, are
integral to the social, spiritual, and cultural fabric of their communities
with unique traditions, practices, and roles that predate Western colonization;
and

����
WHEREAS, these
identities reflect a rich heritage of gender diversity and fluidity that is
recognized and celebrated within Pacific Island cultures, yet colonization,
Western legal systems, and modern social structures have often marginalized or
erased their presence in official records and policy planning; and

����
WHEREAS, the M
āhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+
people are integral members of Hawaii's communities, families, cultures, and
workforce, yet remain largely invisible in statewide data collection efforts
;
and

����
WHEREAS, the
absence of culturally informed, reliable, and disaggregated data on
M
āhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+
populations significantly limits the
ability of the State, Legislature, and county governments and nonprofit service
providers to effectively identify disparities, allocate resources, develop
evidence-based policy, and measure outcomes
; and

����
WHEREAS, national
and local research consistently demonstrates that M
āhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ individuals experience
disproportionate barriers to health care, including mental and behavioral
health services; higher rates of housing and economic insecurity; inequitable
educational outcomes; and increased exposure to discrimination, harassment, and
violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression
;
and

����
WHEREAS, understanding
the needs and experiences of M
āhū,
LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ people in Hawaii requires approaches that honor these
cultural histories and perspectives, ensuring that any data collection reflects
and respects the community's lived experiences, traditional knowledge, and
social contexts
; and

����
WHEREAS, conducting
a comprehensive, statewide survey that estimates population size and examines
health care access, mental health outcomes, economic stability, educational
attainment, housing security, and experiences of discrimination would provide
critical insight necessary to advance equity, improve culturally responsive
service deliver, and ensure that public funds are used efficiently and
effectively; and

����
WHEREAS, before
such a survey can be responsibly undertaken, the State must understand the
projected costs, methodological considerations, privacy protections, and
community engagement requirements necessary to carry out a high-quality,
ethical, and culturally responsive data collection effort; now, therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to
conduct a study to determine the cost and scope of implementing a
comprehensive, statewide survey of the M
āhū,
LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ populations in Hawaii
; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the study is requested to include, but not be limited to:

����
(1)
�
An estimated cost to design, administer,
analyze, and report on a statewide survey that identifies individuals who identify
as M
āhū, LGBTQIA+,
and QTPI+, with methods that respect cultural protocols and community
engagement practices;

����
(2)
�
Methodological
recommendations for estimating population size and demographics, including
culturally responsive and community-based research approaches that honor Native
Hawaiian and Pacific Islander knowledge systems;

����
(3)
�
An
assessment of data elements related to health care access, including mental and
behavioral health care; economic strength and employment; educational
attainment; housing stability; and experiences of discrimination based on
sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, with attention to how
cultural identity impacts these outcomes;

����
(4)
�
The
specific needs of the elderly
M
āhū,
LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ community that may not be addressed by current resources;

����
(5)
�
Considerations
for data privacy, confidentiality, and protections for respondents,
particularly those from marginalized or vulnerable cultural communities;

����
(6)
�
Opportunities
for collaboration with Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community-based
organizations,
M
āhū,
LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ advocacy groups, academic institutions, and county
governments to ensure cultural relevance and accuracy of findings; and

����
(7)
�
Identification
of potential state, federal, and private funding sources to support the
implementation of such a culturally informed survey
; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit a report
of findings and recommendations, including cost estimates and proposed
timelines, to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of
the Regular Session of 2027; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director
of Health, Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, and Chair of the Hawaii
State LGBTQ+ Commission.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

DOH;
LRB; LGBTQIA+; QTPI+; Comprehensive Survey; M
ā
h
ū
;
Report