Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Governor Josh Green, M.D., today signed four new measures into law. These bills address water safety protocols around retention and detention ponds, and establish initiatives for kūpuna (elderly) care.
“This is about the safety and well-being of our ‘ohana and setting a chain of positive intention to uplift those in our community,” said Governor Green. “These newly enacted laws will provide members of our communities with tools to secure housing, better understand Alzheimer’s disease, and prevent drowning incidents. I am grateful for the community leaders and advocates who identified critical needs and helped bring these quality of life measures to fruition.”
HB 703 (Act 282): Extending Kūpuna Housing Support
House Bill 703 (Act 282) extends the sunset date for the state’s vital kūpuna rent supplement program. This program provides support to kūpuna aged 62 or older who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Originally slated to end in 2026, the program will now continue until 2028, offering rent supplement assistance, housing counseling, landlord assistance, mental health services, and other essential support.
Representative Cory M. Chun (District 35 – Oʻahu) noted, “This program has been essential for our kūpuna, significantly helping them secure and maintain affordable housing. Extending it means we can continue providing not only rent assistance but also the services and support necessary to keep them safe and healthy. As part of our Kūpuna Caucus legislative package, this bill reflects our shared commitment to caring for Hawai‘i’s aging population.”
SB 1252 (Act 283): Advancing Dementia Care
Senate Bill 1252 (Act 283) addresses the growing need for coordinated care for kūpuna living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. This act appropriates $525,000 for both fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund training and educational programs within the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). These funds will establish positions within JABSOM’s Department of Geriatric Medicine to develop and update curriculum and conduct training, laying the groundwork for comprehensive programs focused on dementia and Alzheimer’s-informed care. The goal is to provide better support for kūpuna statewide and strengthen the healthcare workforce.
Senator Stanley Chang (District 9 – Oʻahu) shared his personal connection to the bill: “Hawaiʻi’s aging population is growing rapidly and we must prepare our healthcare workforce to meet its unique needs. Investing in JABSOM’s dementia education and training supports our kūpuna and strengthens the future of healthcare in our state. Act 283 helps build a local, informed workforce that can provide compassionate, expert care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. As someone whose father suffered from dementia, this bill is very personally meaningful to me.”
AARP Hawaii Advocacy Associate Director Audrey Suga-Nakagawa lauded both HB 703 and SB 1252 as demonstrating the Legislature and Governor’s commitment to kūpuna, ensuring continued access to housing assistance and strengthening healthcare through dementia education.
Governor Green affirmed, “Housing is healthcare, and by extending the sunset date of the kūpuna housing program, we can continue to provide dignity and access to healthy living. Advancements in our state’s healthcare system to acknowledge Alzheimer’s provides critical care for our kūpuna, helping them get more specialized support so they can remain in the islands they call home.”
SB 1221 (Act 281): Enhancing Water Safety Around Retention and Detention Ponds
With Hawaiʻi facing high drowning rates and recognizing the islands’ deep cultural connection to water, improving water safety remains a top priority. Senate Bill 1221 (Act 281) establishes new safety measures and regulations for retention and detention ponds across the state.
Under this new law, counties will now regulate retention and detention ponds within their jurisdiction. This includes requiring a permitting process for their construction and mandating proper maintenance with submitted maintenance plans to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Crucially, mandatory safety measures will be implemented, such as enclosed and secured fencing around pond perimeters, clear “no swimming” signage, and readily accessible emergency buoys. While these regulations do not apply to private property, managing entities of such ponds must submit sufficient proof of safety compliance to counties. Counties will also conduct a survey of these ponds to be submitted to the Legislature.
Governor Green highlighted the deeply personal significance of Act 281: “This is more than just a water safety bill. Act 281 is a legacy enactment in memory of Charlotte ‘Sharkey’ Schaefers, a brave 5-year-old hero who risked her life to save a friend stuck in a detention pond in 2004. The life of such a young girl should have never been taken that day, and now we can hope that it will never happen again.”
Representative Jeanne Kapela (District 5 – which includes portions of Keaʻau, Kurtistown, Mountain View, Glenwood, Fern Forest, Volcano, Pāhala, Punaluʻu, Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Hawaiian Ocean View, and Hoʻokena on the Big Island) emphasized, “SB 1221 represents a significant step forward in improving water safety and protecting Hawai‘i’s keiki and families from preventable drowning tragedies. By regulating retention and detention ponds and requiring clear safety protocols, we are creating safer environments and honoring the memory of Charlotte ‘Sharkey’ Schaefers.”
Allison Schaefers, Charlotte’s mother and lead writer of the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition’s “I Palekana Kākou Ka Wai: Let Us Be Safe in the Water” plan, expressed her hope that Hawaiʻi will become a model for a national detention and retention pond safety program. Kalani Vierra, Chief of Kaua‘i Ocean Safety and president of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, also commented on the significance of the plan.
A complete list of all bills signed today, including HB 320 (Act 284) relating to Supported Decision-Making Agreements, can be found via links on the Governor’s official press release.