Haw. Rev. Stat. » Haw. Rev. Stat. / Chapter 349
Hawaii Revised Statutes

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 349-1 (2026)

  Declaration of purpose; support; duties

✓ current as of July 2026
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PART I.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Note

 

  Sections 349-1 to 349-11 designated as Part I by L 2007, c 93, §3.

 

     §349-1  Declaration of purpose; support; duties.  (a)  The legislature hereby declares that, in keeping with the traditional American concept of the inherent dignity of the individual in our democratic society, the older people of our State are entitled to, and it is the joint and several duty and responsibility of the State of Hawaii and its counties to enable our older people to secure equal opportunity to the full and free enjoyment of the following:

     (1)  An adequate income in retirement in accordance with the American standard of living;

     (2)  The best possible physical and mental health which science can make available, without regard to economic status;

     (3)  Suitable housing, independently selected, designed, and located with reference to special needs and available at costs which older citizens can afford;

     (4)  Full restorative services for those who require institutional care;

     (5)  Opportunity for employment with no discriminatory personnel practices because of age;

     (6)  Retirement in health, honor, and dignity;

     (7)  Pursuit of meaningful activity within the widest range of civic, cultural, and recreational opportunities;

     (8)  Efficient community services which provide social assistance in a coordinated manner and which are readily available when needed;

     (9)  Immediate benefit from proven research knowledge which can sustain and improve health and happiness;

    (10)  Freedom, independence, and the free exercise of individual initiative in planning and managing their own lives.

     (b)  In support of the declaration of purpose in subsection (a), it shall be the policy of the State and its counties to:

     (1)  Make available comprehensive programs which include a full range of health, education, and social services to our older residents who need them;

     (2)  Give full and special consideration to older residents with special needs in planning such programs; and, pending the availability of such programs for all older residents, give priority to elders with the greatest economic and social need;

     (3)  Provide comprehensive programs which will assure the coordinated delivery of a full range of essential services to our older residents, and where applicable, also furnish meaningful employment opportunities for individuals, including older persons from the community; and

     (4)  Insure that the planning and operation of such programs will be undertaken as a partnership of older residents, the at-large community, and the State and its counties with appropriate assistance from the federal government.

     (c)  It shall be the duty and responsibility of every state department and county agency providing programs and services to elders to actively work toward the goals articulated in subsections (a) and (b) and to employ the State's policy as included in the state master plan for elders in the planning and implementation of their individual programs. [L 1976, c 217, pt of §2; am L 1990, c 67, §8]

 

Revision Note

 

  In subsection (a)(1) to (9), punctuation changed pursuant to §23G-15.

 

Cross References

 

  Housing for elders, see chapter 356D, part IV.

 

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 1981–1981 · leading case: Nagle v. Bd. of Educ., 629 P.2d 109 (Haw. 1981).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
Nagle v. Bd. of Educ., 629 P.2d 109 (Haw. 1981). · cites it 2× “See Hawaii’s Executive Office on Aging, HRS § 349-1 (1976). Since the aged are neither a politically powerless nor a historically disadvantaged group in this state, we will not second guess the legislature’s judgment about the appropriate retirement *395 age for public- school…”
In Re the Tax Appeal of Cent. Union Church, 624 P.2d 1346 (Haw. 1981). · cites it 2× “[s]uitable housing, independently selected, designed, and located with reference to special needs and available at costs which older citizens can afford.”
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