THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	219
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE BROADBAND HUI TO INCLUDE A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON AGING AS A MEMBER OF THE HUI TO REPRESENT THE NEEDS OF KUPUNA WITH REGARD TO DIGITAL LITERACY, BROADBAND ACCESS, AND COMPUTER EQUIPMENT.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, access to broadband connectivity is a foundation for improved economic growth, job creation, global competitiveness, and a better way of life; and

 

     WHEREAS, in March 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was detected in the State, upending all that residents knew as normal; and

 

     WHEREAS, in response, the Governor was joined by the mayors of all four counties in mandating restrictions and policies on operations, travel between the islands, and work-from-home policies; and

 

     WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic and its broad, adverse economic impact underscored the need to improve access to broadband services across all communities in Hawaii, to enhance economic development, education, health care, public safety, and emergency services in those communities; and

 

     WHEREAS, broadband connectivity was once considered a luxury commodity, but the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that stable Internet access is a necessity for a productive, modern life and a lifeline in the event of an emergency; and

 

     WHEREAS, thousands of residents in the State were forced to function from their homes and rely on the quality of their internet connections for access to virtual communications; and

     WHEREAS, having basic technical capabilities in digital literacy is a necessity to access the potential of broadband connectivity and the Internet; and

 

     WHEREAS, members of the community, such as the State's kupuna, homeless population, and recently released prisoners, often lack the digital skills necessary to fully utilize newer, current technologies to discover career and other social support opportunities, which may be found online and are especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic; and

 

     WHEREAS, kupuna are eager for opportunities to learn about technologies that would facilitate their aging independently,  have a desire to understand and control their data (as privacy is also important to them), and it is estimated that more than half of people sixty-five years or older are smartphone owners; and

 

     WHEREAS, the rapid and constant advancement of technology often makes older adults unsure of their ability to use it, which can leave them unmotivated and lacking in the self‑confidence to utilize technology in their everyday life; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Executive Office on Aging is the designated lead agency in the coordination of a statewide system of aging and caregiver support services in the State; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Broadband Hui is urged to include a representative of the Executive Office on Aging as a member of the Hui to represent the needs of kupuna with regard to digital literacy, broadband access, and computer equipment; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Director of the Executive Office on Aging; and Broadband Strategy Officer for the Hawaii Broadband Initiative.

Report Title: 

Kupuna; Digital Literacy; Broadband Hui; Executive Office on Aging