Stanley Chang (born September 13, 1982) is a Democratic member of the Hawaii State Senate,[1] representing the 9th district.
[1] Chang began his career as a Summer Associate at the New York-based law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
He then worked as an Associate Attorney at the Honolulu-based law firm Cades Schutte, specializing in real estate-related matters.
[5] Chang focused on making Honolulu a more environmentally sustainable city, advancing net-zero waste and clean energy initiatives.
Chang also advocated for increasing homelessness funding, banning smoking in beaches and parks, and prohibiting the use of Styrofoam food containers.
[6] Chang declared his candidacy for a US House seat representing the 1st Congressional District of Hawaii in April 2013.
[9] During Chang's time in the Senate, he has served in numerous positions and covered a range of issues, with a close focus on housing.
[12] Another major focus in Senator Chang's campaign in the 2016 election was on making the government more responsive to the community.
[13] He specifically supported the use of the Honolulu 311 app, which allows community members to report issues and have a more efficient and timely response from the local government.
Secondly, Hawaii ranks among the lowest in the United States for expenditures per capita for elementary and secondary education.
[15] Senator Chang's ALOHA Homes proposal is based on Singapore's successful and comprehensive housing model.
[18] The homes would be sold at cost, and buyers would receive a 99-year leasehold that would revert to the State after the end of the term.
[22][23] The resolutions notes that COFA migrants are subject to “discrimination in access to housing, education, and employment” while simultaneously “providing labor, consuming goods and services, and paying fees and taxes to the government.” The resolution resolves to “bring justice to Hawaii’s relationship with our COFA community, including providing equal access to health care, ensuring meaningful inclusion and language access in schools and workplaces, and promoting the inclusion of COFA residents in government.” Both resolutions were adopted during the 2021 session (SR177 adopted on March 31 and SCR215 adopted on April 8).
[24] The bill was specifically written to decriminalize the use of psilocybin, remove the products from the Schedule I list, and grant its use for therapeutic purposes.
[26] The commission aims to advise "the governor and legislature on the effects of legislative policies, needs, assessments, priorities, programs, and budgets concerning the youth of Hawaii.
[36] The bill banned “sexual orientation change efforts,” including the practice of attempting to change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression done by licensed persons who provide professional counseling on minors.