HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	120
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the Department of transportation, in collaboration with the department of hawaiian home lands, to convene a working group to coordinate capital improvement planning to reduce infrastructure costs for Hawaiian Home Lands Developments.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, Act 279, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022 (Act 279), appropriated $600,000,000 for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to address the backlog of applicants on its waitlist for homestead leases; and

 

     WHEREAS, Act 279 identified costs of infrastructure as a major challenge faced by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in preparing lots for homestead leases; and

 

     WHEREAS, these costs include preparing land for homesteading with adequate roads, water, sewer drainage, electrical, and other necessities; and

 

     WHEREAS, any infrastructure development or capital improvement efforts undertaken by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands should be in coordination with other relevant departments and stakeholders in order to reduce costs and increase efficiency; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation is engaged in a number of infrastructure projects that may overlap with current or future Department of Hawaiian Home Lands development initiatives; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Department of Transportation must ensure synchronized and coordinated planning in capital improvement planning; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Transportation, in collaboration with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, is requested to convene a working group to coordinate capital improvement planning to reduce infrastructure costs for Hawaiian home lands developments; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consist of the following members:

 

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

 

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

 

     (3)  The Planning and Development Coordinator of the Land Development Division of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, or the Coordinator's designee;

 

     (4)  The Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, or the Chief Executive Officer's designee; and

 

     (5)  Individuals with experience in infrastructure planning, transportation, finance, or other relevant expertise, as invited by the chairperson; and

 

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

 

     (1)  Review and compare planned capital improvement projects of the Department of Transportation and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands over a five-year planning period;

 

     (2)  Identify geographic areas where planned Department of Transportation projects overlap with current or planned Hawaiian home lands developments;

 

     (3)  Evaluate opportunities to coordinate roadway, drainage, grading, and related infrastructure work to reduce duplicative mobilization and construction costs;

 

     (4)  Assess the potential cost savings associated with synchronized project planning and joint execution;

 

     (5)  Develop a standardized early-notification and coordination process to ensure timely information sharing between the departments regarding upcoming projects;

 

     (6)  Identify statutory, regulatory, or procedural barriers that may inhibit coordinated capital improvement execution; and

 

     (7)  Recommend necessary administrative or legislative changes to institutionalize coordinated planning efforts; 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 the working group shall cease to exist on June 30, 2027; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation, Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, and Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Department of Transportation; Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Capital Improvement Planning; Working Group