STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2236

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 161

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 161, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO STUDY PROPERTIES IN OR AROUND KAKAAKO TO RECOMMEND APPROPRIATE SITES FOR A NEW FIRE STATION OR, ALTERNATIVELY, TO IDENTIFY EXISTING FIRE STATIONS THAT MAY BE RELOCATED OR EXPANDED TO MORE EFFECTIVELY SERVE THE KAKAAKO COMMUNITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Hawaii Community Development Authority to study properties in or around Kakaako to recommend appropriate sites for a new fire station or to relocate or expand existing fire stations in or around Kakaako.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Fire Department, Hawaii Section American Society of Civil Engineers, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that planned developments in Kakaako are estimated to increase the residential population to over 40,000 individuals by 2030. Your Committee further finds that an increase in residential and transient populations, proposed high-rise residential structures, and additional commercial development necessitate the need for a new, expanded, or relocated fire station in or around Kakaako. The current Kakaako fire station is over 40 years old, and was not designed to accommodate the projected growth, and does not have space for expansion to meet the challenges posed by an increase in population. Your Committee also finds that the National Fire Protection Association mandates that the travel time for the first-arriving unit responding to emergencies in urban communities be within four minutes. Every minute of increased travel time exacerbates the seriousness of an emergency. This measure will ensure the protection and safety of residents in Kakaako by initiating actions to identify potential new, expanded, or relocated fire stations to more efficiently and effectively serve the Kakaako community.

Your Committee notes that it will be beneficial for the Hawaii Community Development Authority to collaborate with the City and County of Honolulu in studying potential properties on state or county lands for a new, expanded, or relocated fire station to serve the Kakaako region and encourages the City and County of Honolulu to assist the Hawaii Community Development Authority in making recommendations for such a fire station.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 161, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Housing,

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STANLEY CHANG, Chair