STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1432

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 39

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 39 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE MAUI COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO RETAIN THE WORD "REQUIRE" IN THE SOUTH MAUI COMMUNITY PLAN AS IT RELATES TO INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENSURE THAT DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT OCCUR WITHOUT ADEQUATE SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Maui County Planning Department to retain the word "require" in the South Maui Community Plan as it relates to infrastructure to ensure that development does not occur without adequate supporting infrastructure.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Kihei Community Association and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that the South Maui Community Plan (Plan) serves as a guiding document to ensure that the development in the region aligns with the needs and capacity of existing and future infrastructure, and that the proposed removal of the word "require" from the Plan as it relates to infrastructure would allow for the occupancy of a new residential or commercial development project prior to the completion of essential infrastructure improvements supporting the new development. Your Committee recognizes that policies mandating infrastructure completion before development occupancy enhance resilience against economic risks, improve public safety, and support the overall well-being of communities by preventing piecemeal and reactive infrastructure improvements. This measure will help avoid costly taxpayer-funded retrofitting projects and protect the long-term community interests of those in South Maui by ensuring that development does not outpace the capacity of roads, drainage systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and other essential services.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 39 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs,

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair