SR100

WHEREAS, the Kailua-Kona Wharf, commonly referred to as the Kailua Pier, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island, serves as a vital hub for place-based cultural history, community gatherings, ocean-based tourism, and recreational activities which supports local businesses and enhances the economy of West Hawaiʻi; and

WHEREAS, Kailua Pier and the surrounding area of Kailua Bay hold deep cultural and historical significance to the Hawaiʻi Island community as a sacred and political center for Native Hawaiians, serving as the royal residence of King Kamehameha I in his later years and the site of Ahuʻena Heiau, where the King governed and upheld traditional Hawaiian practices; and

WHEREAS, Kailua Bay witnessed pivotal moments in Hawaiian history, including the transition from the traditional kapu system to a new era of governance in 1819, marking a profound shift in the cultural and societal structure of Hawaiʻi; and

WHEREAS, the area has remained a vital hub for maritime activity, commerce, and cultural traditions, sustaining generations of Native Hawaiian fishers, voyagers, and practitioners who continue to honor the ancestral connection to the land and ocean; and

WHEREAS, today, the Kailua Pier provides essential access for fishing, boating, and cultural events, including the annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe Race, the IRONMAN World Championship, and traditional Hawaiian ceremonies, fostering both economic growth and cultural preservation; and

WHEREAS, in addition to servicing local residents, the Kailua Pier serves as a key arrival point for cruise ships, bringing thousands of visitors to West Hawaiʻi each year, who contribute significantly to the region's economy through tourism-related spending by supporting local businesses, restaurants, tour operators, and cultural sites; and

WHEREAS, the high level of activity at the Kailua Pier has resulted in persistent challenges related to homelessness, including the frequent vandalism of public facilities, damage to restroom infrastructure, and unauthorized encampments, creating ongoing safety and sanitation concerns for residents and visitors; and

WHEREAS, while maintenance of the Kailua Pier is essential for public safety, environmental protection, and the long-term benefit of the community, persistent vandalism and destruction of public restrooms and infrastructure have led to rising maintenance costs, disruptions to public access, and the need for continuous repairs by state and county agencies; and

WHEREAS, the management and operations of Kailua Pier fall under the jurisdiction of multiple government agencies, including the Department of Land and Natural Resources, various departments of the County of Hawaiʻi such as Parks and Recreation and the Police Department as well as federal entities such as the United States Coast Guard; and

WHEREAS, local nonprofit organizations, including Destination Kona Coast, play a crucial role in visitor education and greeting programs while serving as dedicated stewards of Kailua Pier, actively monitoring its operations, identifying facility concerns, and relaying issues to government officials in a timely manner; and

WHEREAS, adopting an interjurisdictional approach to addressing challenges at Kailua Pier would enhance communication between pier users and government officials, while fostering coordinated oversight and effective management among responsible authorities; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to convene a Kailua Bay Advisory Working Group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Kailua Bay Advisory Working Group is requested to:

(1) Provide a structured forum for state, county, and community stakeholders to collaborate on interjurisdictional issues affecting Kailua Pier;

(2) Identify and implement solutions to enhance safety for pier users, including swimmers, boaters, and visitors;

(3) Ensure that commercial, recreational, and cultural activities at the pier remain viable and beneficial to the West Hawaiʻi community;

(4) Monitor and advocate for necessary repairs, upgrades, and funding to maintain the pier's long-term sustainability;

(5) Address issues including water quality, marine life protection, and pollution affecting Kailua Pier and Kailua Bay;

(6) Offer policy and operational recommendations to improve pier management and operations;

(7) Serve as a liaison between government entities and the public, ensuring that community voices are heard and considered in decision-making;

(8) Track ongoing and emerging challenges, including homelessness, parking availability, and user conflicts, and propose collaborative solutions; and

(9) Convene on a monthly basis; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to include the following members in the working group:

(1) The Administrator of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation or the Administrator's designee, who shall serve as chairperson;

(2) The member of the Senate who represents the senatorial district in which the pier located;

(3) The member of the House of Representatives who represents the house district in which the pier is located;

(4) The member of the Hawaiʻi County Council who represents the council district in which the pier is located;

(5) The Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi, or the Mayor's designee;

(6) A representative of the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions;

(7) A representative of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority;

(8) The Chief of the Hawaiʻi Police Department, or the Chief's designee;

(9) A representative of the Kai ʻOpua Canoe Club to be invited by the chairperson;

(10) A representative of the Kai ʻEhitu Outrigger Team of Kailua-Kona to be invited by the chairperson;

(11) A representative of the Kailua Village Business Improvement District to be invited by the chairperson;

(12) A representative of the Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel to be invited by the chairperson;

(13) Two at-large members of the community appointed by the Senator representing the senatorial district in which the pier is located; and

(14) Two community at-large members of the community appointed by the Representative representing the house district in which the pier is located; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that beginning in 2025 and for three years thereafter, the Kailua Bay Advisory Group is requested to submit a quarterly report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Coordinator on Homelessness, Administrator of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi, Chairperson of the Hawaiʻi County Council, Chief of the Hawaiʻi Police Department, the Chairperson of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

DLNR; DOBOR; Kailua Pier

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	100
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII