THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	103
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the department of transportation, in coordination with the hawaii housing finance and development corporation, to convene a working group to evaluate the feasibility of establishing state-owned or state-controlled warehouse and logistics facilities near ports, harbors, and airports to reduce material costs associated with publicly financed housing projects.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, the State continues to face a critical shortage of affordable housing, and the high cost of construction materials significantly contributes to the overall cost of publicly financed housing projects; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's geographic isolation and reliance on imported building materials increase transportation, storage, and handling costs; and

 

     WHEREAS, centralized warehouse and logistics facilities located near ports, harbors, and airports may allow the State to leverage bulk purchasing, improve supply chain coordination, reduce delays, and stabilize material costs for publicly financed housing developments; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation oversees the State's airports, harbors, and related transportation infrastructure and is well positioned to evaluate potential sites and logistical considerations; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation administers programs that finance and support the development of affordable housing statewide and can provide expertise regarding housing development needs and cost drivers; and

 

     WHEREAS, collaboration among relevant state agencies, housing developers, contractors, labor representatives, and supply chain experts is necessary to assess the feasibility, costs, benefits, governance structure, and potential funding mechanisms for state-owned or state-controlled warehouse and logistics facilities; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, is requested to convene a working group to evaluate the feasibility of establishing state-owned or state-controlled warehouse and logistics facilities near ports, harbors, and airports to reduce material costs associated with publicly financed housing projects; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to:

 

     (1)  Identify suitable state-owned lands proximate to ports, harbors, and airports;

 

     (2)  Evaluate potential cost savings through centralized storage and coordinated logistics;

 

     (3)  Analyze the feasibility of bulk purchasing or material staging models;

 

     (4)  Assess long-term cost impacts on per-unit housing development;

 

     (5)  Examine public-private partnership opportunities;

 

     (6)  Evaluate potential capital improvement funding mechanisms;

 

     (7)  Consider operational models that avoid displacement of private sector services; and

 

     (8)  Identify any statutory changes necessary to implement recommendations; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the working group include:

 

     (1)  The Director of Transportation, or the Director's designee, who shall serve as Chairperson of the working group;

 

     (2)  The Executive Director of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, or the Executive Director's designee;

 

     (3)  The Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, or the Chairperson's designee;

 

     (4)  A representative from Pacific Resource Partnership to be invited by the Chairperson;

 

     (5)  A representative from the General Contractors Association of Hawaii to be invited by the Chairperson;

 

     (6)  The Chairperson of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Housing, or the Chairperson's designee; and

 

     (7)  The Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Housing, or the Chairperson's designee; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation, Executive Director of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, Executive Director of Pacific Resource Partnership, and Executive Director of the General Contractors Association of Hawaii.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title: 

Department of Transportation; Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Working Group; Warehouse and Logistics Facilities; Ports; Harbors; Airports