STAND. COM. REP. NO. 712

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1368

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1368, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AIRFIELDS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Create the Kawaihapai Airfield Revitalization Task Force to address the issues necessary to keep the airfield open and operating safely; and

(2) Require the task force to report to the Legislature.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation – Airports Division, United States Parachute Association, Soaring Society of America, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Save Dillingham Airfield, and nine individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

Your Committees find that Kawaihapai Airfield, also known as Dillingham Airfield, is a vital economic and tourism contributor to the economy of Oahu's north shore. Small business tenants at the airfield generate over $12,000,000 in yearly revenues and employ over one hundred and thirty people.

Your Committees find that the Department of Transportation (DOT) currently leases the airfield from the United States Department of the Army. Although the lease runs until July 5, 2024, the DOT announced its plan to terminate the lease through an early termination procedure, and subsequently agreed to extend the early termination period to June 30, 2021, to accommodate tenant requests. This measure will establish a task force to address the DOT's outstanding concerns with the Dillingham Airfield with the intent to allow it to continue operating safely.

Your Committees have amended this measure by inserting an effective date of May 6, 2137, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1368, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1368, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair