The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on March 4, 2026, for consideration by the Senate Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary.
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March 4, 2026, 10:35 a.m.
Hawaii State Capitol
Conference Room 211 and Videoconference
To: Senate Committee on Ways and Means
Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair
Sen. Sharon Y. Moriwaki, Vice Chair
Senate Committee on Judiciary
Sen. Karl Rhoads, Chair
Sen. Mike Gabbard, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns
RE: TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF SB2080 SD1 — RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT
Aloha Chairs, Vice Chairs and other members of the Committees,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports SB2080 SD1, which would allow Hawaii to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.
The interstate compact approach outlined in this bill would increase access to mental health professionals for Hawaii residents by allowing for the practice of telepsychology and temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across state boundaries.
Hawaii patients are in great need of mental health services. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 234,000 adults in Hawaii have a mental health condition, and nearly half a million Hawaii residents live in a community that lacks sufficient mental health professionals.[1]
According to the Physician Workforce 2026 annual report, Hawaii has a 67% shortage of adult psychiatrists and a 64% shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists.[2]
This shortage has caused burnout among Hawaii’s existing mental health practitioners.
One provider told Hawaii News Now in 2021: “There are moments where I feel a little bit helpless, like I’m putting every joule of energy that I have in my body towards trying to make an impact on a problem that feels so insurmountable.”[3]
Encouraging more counselors to practice in Hawaii requires a multipronged strategy that addresses the state’s high cost of living, its regulatory scheme for healthcare facilities and more. An important part of this approach should include reforming licensing regulations for healthcare professionals.
At present, PSYPACT comprises 43 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Several other states have introduced legislation to join the compact. Years of successful implementation testify to the safety and effectiveness of this approach to license reciprocity.
Joining PSYPACT would be an important step toward improving patients’ access to mental and behavioral health professionals, thereby helping address mental health needs and shortages in our state.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Ted Kefalas
Director of Strategic Campaigns
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
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[1] “Mental Health in Hawaii,” National Alliance on Mental Illness, accessed Feb. 2, 2026.
[2] “Annual Report on Findings from the Hawai‘i Physician Workforce Assessment Project,” University of Hawaii System, Dec. 2025, p. 22.
[3] Jolanie Martinez, “As Hawaii faces a mental health crisis, psychologists struggle to keep up with patient demand,” Hawaii News Now, May 5, 2021.
