STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1394

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 183

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 183 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENDORSING AND REAFFIRMING SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRESS ACHIEVED BY THE ALOHA+ CHALLENGE THROUGH ITS INTEGRATED APPROACH AND SIX AMBITIOUS TARGETS TO BE REACHED BY 2030,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Endorse and reaffirm support for the progress achieved by the Aloha+ Challenge;

(2) Recognize the eleventh anniversary of the Aloha+ Challenge; and

(3) Recognize the important work that the Hawaii Green Growth UN Local2030 Hub has undertaken to collaboratively track progress through the Aloha+ Dashboard and develop the State's Voluntary Local Reviews for submission to the United Nations.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the Aloha+ Challenge is a statewide commitment to achieve, by 2030, six ambitious sustainability and resilience goals that align with and contribute to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Your Committee notes that Hawaii is the only state in the nation to submit to the United Nations a Voluntary Local Review, a report on progress towards achieving local sustainable development goals. According to testimony received by your Committee, the accomplishments of the Aloha+ Challenge to date highlight the State's ability to lead by example in sustainability efforts, showcasing the effectiveness of the Aloha+ Challenge's integrated approach. This measure aims to maintain the momentum and continued success of the State toward a sustainable future.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 183 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair