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SR 76

URGING THE GOVERNOR, MAYORS OF EACH COUNTY, AND THE STATE TO WORK TOWARDS A JUST CLIMATE FUTURE BY INTEGRATING INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE INTO POLICY AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES RELATED TO CLIMATE ADAPTATION, CLIMATE MITIGATION, AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 4 co-sponsors

Hawaii urges governor and mayors to integrate Indigenous knowledge into state climate adaptation, mitigation, and resiliency policies and decision-making processes.

Report and Resolution Adopted as amended (SD1). Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte).
#indigenousknowledge #justclimatefuture #olelohawaii
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Bill Summary · SR 76

Legislative bill overview

SR 76 is a resolution urging Hawaii's governor, county mayors, and state officials to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and practices into climate policy decisions across adaptation, mitigation, and resiliency efforts. The measure passed the Senate on April 1, 2025, with two dissenting votes, after committee amendments.

Why is this important

Hawaii faces acute climate vulnerabilities including sea-level rise, increased flooding, and drought, making climate adaptation decisions consequential for residents and ecosystems. Indigenous Hawaiians have practiced sustainable resource management for centuries, and integrating this knowledge could inform evidence-based climate strategies while recognizing Native Hawaiian sovereignty and expertise in their homeland.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation specificity: The resolution urges action but lacks binding requirements, enforcement mechanisms, or dedicated funding—leaving unclear how agencies will operationalize Indigenous knowledge integration
  • Competing interests: Some stakeholders may view prioritizing Indigenous knowledge as limiting scientific approaches or creating consultation burdens on resource-constrained agencies
  • Sovereignty questions: Defining how Indigenous decision-making authority intersects with existing governmental processes and whether consultation constitutes genuine co-management or symbolic inclusion

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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