STAND. COM. REP. NO. -24
Honolulu, Hawaii
APR15 ‘ 2024
RE: S.C.R. No. 123
S.D. 1
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2024
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred S.C.R.
No. 123, S.D. 1, entitled:
“SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF
LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO MAKE
RECOMMENDATIONS ON SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE WILDFIRE RISK AND THE
FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
AS IT RELATES TO LANDOWNERS AND PUBLIC UTILITIES,”
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of
Land and Natural Resources to convene a working group to make
recommendations on solutions to reduce wildfire risk and the
feasibility of establishing a vegetation management program as it
relates to landowners and public utilities.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from Hawaiian Electric. Your Committee received comments on this
measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs;
Department of Land and Natural Resources; Charter Communications;
and Hawaiian Telcom.
Your Committee finds that a significant portion of public and
private lands in Hawaii are covered in unmanaged grasses, trees,
and other vegetation, such as guinea grass, fountain grass,
2024—2856 SCR123 HD1 HSCR HMSO
 STAND. COM. REP. NO.[~ -24
Page2
molasses grass, and buffelgrass, which can form continuous fuel
beds, ignite easily, attain extremely high fine fuel loads, and
are capable of growing back more vigorously in the post-fire
environment than the majority of native vegetation. As a result,
they pose an extraordinary wildfire risk. Your Committee further
finds that vegetation management is essential for the mitigation
of wildfire risks and the promotion of safer conditions for the
State’s communities and environment.
Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical,
nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity,
consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your
Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 123,
S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to
your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.C.R.
No. 123, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Water & Land,
~ L(~HIYAMA~
2024—2856 SCR123 HD1 HSCR HMSO
 State of Hawaii
House of Representatives t~’~~— ‘2_cf
The Thirty-second Legislature
Record of Votes of the Committee on Water & Land
Bill/Resolution No.: Committee Referral: Date:
(fcj~~2~, CDi fr~J1\L Fit~.J 4—/’I/2~-~~r
0 The committee is reconsidering its previous decision on the measure.
The recommendation is to: ~ Pass, unamended (as is) Pass, with amendments (HD) 0 Hold
0 Pass short form bill with HD to recommit for future public hearing (recommit)
WAL Members Ayes Ayes (WR) Nays Excused
1. ICHIYAMA, Linda (C)
2. POEPOE, Mahina (VC)
3. CHUN, Cory M.
4. GANADEN, Sonny
5. HASHEM, Mark J.
6. MIZUNO, May Besario
7. MORIKAWA, Dee
8. TAKAYAMA, Gregg
9. SOUZA, Kanani
TOTAL (9)
The recommendation is: Adopted LI Not Adopted
~flnit r~ferr~i1 did not support recommendation.
corn. ttee acronym(s)
Distribution: Original (White) Committee Duplicate (Yellow) Chief Clerks Office Duplicate (Pink) HMSO