STAND. COM. REP. NO. 320-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2702

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs and Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2702 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for a study to plan for water flooding, climate change, and redevelopment of twenty parcels of land in the Mapunapuna or Shafter Flats area.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Planning and Permitting of the City & County of Honolulu, and one individual. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committees find that tidal and sea level rise induced inland flooding represents a threat to Honolulu's infrastructure and assets. Flooding is already occurring during elevated tidal stages in the Mapunapuna area, in which floodwaters have been found to be contaminated by harmful pollutants. The proposed study could provide insights into locally appropriate adaptation solutions, keeping with the State's work and priorities to adapt to and mitigate against climate change.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation amount to an unspecified sum;

(2) Correcting a reference to one of the tax map keys identified; and

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs and Energy & Environmental Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2702, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2702, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs and Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair

____________________________ RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair