Committee advances resolution to study ʻāina-based learning programs for youth in juvenile legal system

The House Committee on Health & Homelessness voted to advance HR170/HCR174, which requests the Department of Human Services Office of Youth Services and the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council to examine the availability and utilization of ʻāina‑based learning programs offered to youth in the juvenile legal system.

Richmond Lazar, representing Opportunity for Youth Action Hawaii, testified in support and said the resolution grew from youth organizers and is envisioned as a restorative alternative that helps young people “connect with the land, work the land, and really deepen the relationship with it.” Cameron Clark, coordinator of Debt Free Justice Hawaii, said the resolution was led by youth and urged the committee to ensure courts’ expanding community‑service options keep ʻāina‑based learning in mind as restorative programming.

Other supporters included the Office of the Public Defender and community groups that filed written testimony. Committee members had no substantive objections recorded in the hearing and the chair recommended passage with technical amendments; the committee adopted the recommendation during decision-making.

The resolution asks relevant agencies to examine program availability and utilization; it does not itself appropriate funds or require agencies to create programs.