STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1402

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1146

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 1146, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ALA WAI CANAL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawai‘i to:

(1) Develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control issues in the Ala Wai watershed;

(2) Establish two graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan; and

(3) Provide partial summer overload support for faculty mentors providing oversight of the student project teams.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Waikiki Neighborhood Board; Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association; and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Ala Wai watershed is a critical component of Hawaii's ecosystem and a natural resource that provides access and recreational opportunities for local residents and visitors. Your Committee further finds that floating debris in the Ala Wai canal have been a persistent problem that severely harms recreational users and aquatic habitats in the State's nearshore waters. The development of an action plan and pre-engineering concept to address debris accumulation and management and water quality in the Ala Wai canal is a vital step in protecting the State's natural resources.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $125,000.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1146, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair