STAND. COM. REP. NO. 125

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 818

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 H.B. No. 818 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE WAIAKEA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Waiakea Peninsula Community Development District and transfer lands and leases within the Waiakea Peninsula Community Development District from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Hawaii Community Development Authority.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i; Planning Department of the County of Hawai‘i; Hawaii Community Development Authority; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the Waiakea Peninsula is located near Hilo town and the cruise ship terminal. Your Committee further finds that aging infrastructure, underutilized spaces, and ongoing security concerns have hindered the area's ability to thrive. Your Committee believes that establishing a Waiakea Peninsula Community Development District will renew and revitalize the area and provide residents and visitors with much needed recreational, educational, and entertainment facilities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that would have transferred lands and leases within the Waiakea Peninsula Community Development District from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Hawaii Community Development Authority;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 H.B. No. 818, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 818, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair