HI HB877

Establishes the Hookaulike: A Criminal Legal System Institute for Restoration and Healing at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to address disparate challenges facing Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islander communities, and people of color in the criminal legal system.

Institute shall be directed by a director appointed by the dean of the school of law with board of regents approval and may conduct research, conferences, and studies to improve federal, state, and county legal systems, policies, and procedures.

Institute may report on and make recommendations regarding criminal justice initiatives and create a conduit for regular reporting and consultation with state, county, nonprofit, and private agencies regarding policing, prosecution, and corrections.

Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to support 12.0 full-time equivalent positions including faculty, researchers, communications coordinator, and graduate research assistants, plus operational funds for events, symposia, and consultations.

Effective date set for July 1, 3000.