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Honolulu Senators Fast-Track 24/7 Civil Rights Lifeline For Islanders
SB2055 would require the Hawai'i Civil Rights Commission to run a toll-free helpline for civil rights and hate crime reports.
Published on Feb. 6, 2026
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The Hawai'i Senate Judiciary Committee has voted to advance a proposal to create a statewide, round-the-clock civil rights helpline. Senate Bill 2055 would require the Hawai'i Civil Rights Commission to operate a toll-free line for people who were harmed, their family members, or witnesses to potential civil rights violations, including incidents tied to immigration enforcement. The commission would also have to deliver an annual report to the Legislature.
Why it matters
The helpline is meant to centralize reporting, connect callers with services, and flag patterns of misconduct across the islands. Advocates say it could speed up access to resources for families in crisis and give lawmakers better data to guide future policy changes.
The details
SB2055 directs the Civil Rights Commission to establish and maintain a secure database of helpline reports and to investigate complaints that fall under state civil rights statutes. The legislation specifies that the helpline must provide referrals to state and county assistance programs, legal and social services, crisis intervention and student supports, with translation and disability access baked in. It would also require the commission to compile an annual public report that redacts personally identifiable information, highlights patterns such as excessive force or racial profiling, and convenes at least one public hearing each year to present its findings.
- On Thursday, the Hawai'i Senate Judiciary Committee moved the proposal forward.
- The Judiciary Committee forwarded SB2055 to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, where appropriations and staffing details are set to be debated.
The players
Hawai'i Civil Rights Commission
The state agency that would be responsible for launching the helpline and conducting outreach to encourage reporting.
O'ahu Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole
The lead introducer of SB2055, with several Democratic co-sponsors backing the measure.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Karl Rhoads
Said the bill 'creates a clear and accessible pathway for people in Hawaiʻi to report civil rights concerns.'
What’s next
If the measure is enacted, the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission would be responsible for launching the helpline and conducting outreach to encourage reporting. How quickly the helpline might be funded and launched will hinge on the Ways and Means Committee's timetable in the weeks ahead.
The takeaway
This effort to create a 24/7 civil rights helpline in Hawai'i reflects a broader push to beef up civil rights oversight and law enforcement transparency in the state. The success of the helpline will depend on funding, staffing, and the commission's ability to deliver multilingual, around-the-clock support to callers.
