THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3211
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to public safety in rural districts.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Hawai‘i, is one of the fastest-growing subdivisions in the United States, with the 2010 United States Census reporting a population of 4,864, up from 2,178 as reported by the 2000 United States Census. The steep growth in population has corresponded with a rise in crime, with many residents reporting concerns of illegal dumping, abandoned vehicles, property crime, and feral dog attacks.

The legislature further finds that the Hawai‘i police department currently operates out of a police office in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision. However, the Hawai‘i police department cannot process or book arrestees at the existing office, and the closest Hawai‘i police department substation capable of booking and processing is located over fourteen miles away in Nā‘ālehu. After an arrestee is detained and booked, they are then transported to the Hilo or Kona police stations for holding. The sheer distance between Hawai‘i police department facilities on Hawai‘i island has resulted in lengthy response times for Hawai‘i police department service in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, as the same officers assigned to Hawaiian Ocean View Estates must transport arrestees to Nā‘ālehu and thereafter Hilo or Kona, preventing them from responding to calls for assistance. The legislature believes that the Hawai‘i police department's presence in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates must be expanded to appropriately respond to reports of crime in the area.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the county of Hawaii for the plans, design, and construction of a police substation to serve the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates community.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for a grant-in-aid to the county of Hawaii for the planning, design, and construction of a police substation in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Hawaii; provided that no funds shall be made available under this Act unless the county of Hawaii provides matching funds on a dollar-to-dollar basis.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the county of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Hawaii County; Police Substation; Grant-in-Aid; Hawaiian Ocean View Estates; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the County of Hawaii for the plans, design, and construction of a Hawaiian Ocean View Estates police substation. Requires the County of Hawaii to match funds appropriated on a dollar-to-dollar basis.

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