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HRS §326-1.3

Respect and protect the rights of Kalaupapa residents

This law says the state health department must treat all residents at Kalaupapa with dignity, respect, courtesy, and sensitivity. It also requires the department to protect their personal freedom, independence, and dignity, even if other laws say otherwise.

state agencies

The statute, as written — Liberty, autonomy, and dignity of patient residents

(a) In recognition of the disruptions and hardships experienced over the course of their lives by former Hansen's disease patients residing at Kalaupapa, the legislature declares its intent to ensure that all residents at Kalaupapa are treated with dignity, respect, courtesy, and sensitivity and that the protections extended by this chapter to the patient residents at Kalaupapa are honored and upheld by the department of health to the extent possible within their purview. (b) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the department of health shall promote and protect the personal liberty, autonomy, and dignity of all patient residents at Kalaupapa.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.