HCR 76 Summary

• Urges the University of Hawaii to establish a restorative justice research institute called "Hookaulike" at the William S. Richardson School of Law.

• Addresses disparities in Hawaii's criminal justice system, where Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders comprise 20% of the adult population but account for over 40% of the state's prison population.

• If established, the institute would advise the State on creating a fair criminal justice system, facilitate collaboration among multiple University of Hawaii schools, and develop advocacy programs for vulnerable communities.

• The institute would conduct research and hold conferences to provide evidence-based recommendations for improvements to county, state, and federal criminal justice systems and laws.

• The institute would arrange regular discussions among state and county agencies, private organizations, and the Judiciary's Criminal Justice Research Institute to evaluate issues related to policing, prosecutions, and corrections.