HI HCR169

Urges the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to convene a working group to improve government services access for immigrants and increase their civic and economic contributions to Hawaii.

Working group membership includes the Governor, Director of Labor and Industrial Relations, Executive Director of the Office of Community Services, Executive Director of the Office of Language Access, and representatives from the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights and Inter-Agency Council for Immigrant Services.

Requires the working group to submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation no later than twenty days prior to the 2022 Regular Session.

Notes that immigrants comprise 18 percent of Hawaii's population (256,000 persons as of 2018) and contribute over $668 million in state and local taxes while working in agriculture, tourism, hospitality, and health care sectors.

Identifies that the Office of Community Services, established in 1985 to serve immigrant and refugee communities, currently dedicates nearly 100 percent of its staffing and funds to low-income communities with minimal focus on immigrant-specific services.