Members of the Kūpuna Caucus announced a bill package focused on enhancing the quality of life for Hawaiʻi’s seniors, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. Pictured (Front row): Rep. Linda Ichiyama, Rep. Cory M. Chun, Sen. Troy Hashimoto, Sen. Sharon Moriwaki, Sen. Lynn DeCoite; (Back row): Kealii Lopez (state director, AARP), Caroline Cadirao (director, Executive Office on Aging), Sen. Kurt Fevella and Rep. Ikaika Olds. Present at the press conference but not in photo were Rep. Lisa Marten and Rep. Garner M. Shimizu. Photo Coutesy: Hawaiʻi State Legislature

The Hawaiʻi State Legislature’s Kūpuna Caucus convened by state Sen. Sharon Moriwaki and Rep. Cory M. Chun shared their 2025 legislative package, a set of bills focused on enhancing the quality of life for seniors across the state. These proposed measures include expanding access to healthcare, addressing the need for more food security and improving affordable housing options.

The Kūpuna Caucus’ package consists of five bills:

• SB877/HB702 Relating to human services 
  Appropriates funds to increase the funding for Medicaid in-home services, conditioned on the Department of Human Services obtaining the maximum federal matching funds.

• SB878/HB703 Relating to kupuna housing 
  Extends the sunset date for the State Rent Supplement Program for Kūpuna to 6/30/2028.

• SB879/HB701 Relating to taxation 
  Establishes a refundable Family Caregiver Tax Credit for nonpaid family caregivers. Requires the Department of Taxation to report to the Legislature before the convening of each Regular Session.

• SB880/HB705 Relating to the Executive Office on Aging 
  Establishes a temporary Medi-Medi Project within the Hawaiʻi State Health Insurance Assistance Program administered by the Executive Office on Aging to assist older adults, Medicare beneficiaries, individuals with disabilities and other underserved populations who may qualify for various low-income subsidy programs to gain access to their benefits. Requires the Executive Office on Aging to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

• SB881/HB704 Relating to food security
  Establishes the Hawaiʻi Food Security Special Fund to restore Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit levels to those provided in federal fiscal year 2023. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

“We are committed to having our seniors receive the support they need to live with dignity and independence, especially during this period of time in their lives,” Moriwaki said. “This legislative package is a crucial step towards building a more inclusive and equitable future for all generations.”