HB 2015 Summary

• Establishes the hookaulike: a criminal legal system institute for restoration and healing at the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson school of law to address disparate challenges facing Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islander communities, and people of color in the criminal legal system.

• Institute director shall be appointed by the dean of the school of law with board of regents approval and will assist vulnerable communities in designing and advocating for inclusive and fair criminal legal systems.

• Institute may conduct research, conferences, and studies to improve legal systems; report on and recommend improvements to federal, state, and county government initiatives; and create a reporting conduit with state and county agencies charged with policing, prosecution, and corrections.

• Appropriates unspecified funding for FTE positions including a J-Faculty director position shared with the Hawaiinuiakea school of Hawaiian knowledge, APT-B support staff, graduate research assistants, and operational expenses for events, symposia, and consultations.

• Effective date is July 1, 2050.