HI HB1664

Establishes a Hawaiian cultural restoration program within the Department of Public Safety to assign non-violent Hawaiian inmates to restore culturally significant historical sites identified by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Program participants must be able-bodied individuals capable of heavy construction work and shall receive skills development training covering both construction methods and cultural significance of restoration sites.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs determines which sites will be restored, with initial sites required to be located in rural districts as defined in Hawaii Revised Statutes section 205-2.

Pilot program is funded through appropriations from general revenues, with allocated funds reducing Office of Hawaiian Affairs appropriations by an equal amount, and is set to expire on June 30, 2013.

Program is designed to reduce recidivism by fostering connections to Hawaiian cultural ancestry and helping inmates transition from prison to the community.