STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3590

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 44

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 44 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO ESTABLISH A POLICE STATION IN LEEWARD OAHU TO PROVIDE ENHANCED POLICE SERVICES AND IMPROVED LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE FOR LEEWARD OAHU COMMUNITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the City and County of Honolulu to establish a police station in Leeward Oahu.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that a significant percentage of Oahu's population resides in Leeward Oahu, which includes the communities of Waipahu, Ewa, and Nanakuli, to the coast of Maili, Waianae, and Makaha. Additionally, according to statistics from the 2020 State of Hawaii Data Book, populations in the Leeward Oahu communities rose between 2015 and 2019. Your Committee further finds that law enforcement in District 8, which includes the communities of Ewa, Ewa Beach, West Loch, Barbers Point, Kapolei, Makakilo, Campbell Industrial park, Honokai Hale, Ko Olina, Nanakuli, Maili, Waianae, Makaha, Makua, and Kaena, responds to an array of calls that include assaults, burglaries, drug and alcohol violations, homicides, motor vehicle theft, sex crimes, vandalism, and disturbing the peace. Furthermore, business owners in Kapolei, Honolulu, and other areas have become victims of a rash of thefts and burglaries, and police officers are also responding to a greater number of incidents involving persons who are homeless. This measure will promote public safety by urging the City and County of Honolulu to establish a police station in Leeward Oahu to provide enhanced police services and improved law enforcement response for Leeward Oahu communities.

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 S.R. No. 44 and recommends its adoption.

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