STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1743

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 35

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 35 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING THE UNITED STATES MILITARY TO CLEAN UP MUNITIONS AND EXPLOSIVES OF CONCERN IN HAWAII UNDER THE MILITARY MUNITIONS RESPONSE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the United States military to clean up munitions and explosives of concern in Hawaii under the Military Munitions Response Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Malu ‘Aina, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, Hawai‘i Peace and Justice, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that certain areas of the Hawaiian Islands were used for military training exercises that resulted in large quantities of munitions and explosives being deposited in the ground. The Military Munitions Response Program provides a focused program to address the challenges presented at munitions response sites. Part of Bellows Air Force Base was previously used as an urban warfare training facility and is contaminated and unsuitable for use if the land is returned to the State. This measure urges the clean up of munitions and explosives on land formerly used for military training purposes, including Bellows Air Force Base, so that the land may be restored to allow residents of surrounding communities the ability to enjoy and make productive use of the land.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 35, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 35, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

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CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair