This bill is a House Resolution that requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to identify state-owned lands in East Oahu suitable for planting native Hawaiian trees, including the culturally significant milo tree. The resolution specifically asks the department to consider locations that could involve schools, community groups, and youth participants to encourage civic engagement and environmental stewardship. The Department is requested to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature within 20 days before the 2027 Regular Session begins. This measure does not authorize funding or mandate action but serves as a formal request to explore opportunities for native tree planting on state lands.
This House Resolution formally recognizes 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in Hawaii, aligning with a United Nations designation. The measure highlights the ecological, economic, and cultural importance of Hawaii's rangelands, which cover over one million acres and support ranchers who contribute more than $50 million annually to the state economy. It encourages state agencies, the University of Hawaii, and local organizations to promote education and research on rangeland management while recommending policies that conserve these lands and protect ranchers' livelihoods. The resolution is transmitted to key state and local officials, including the Governor, Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii President, and county mayors.
This House Resolution encourages Hawaii County to work with the Puako community, the Department of Health, and other partners to finish the Puako Sewage Project, which aims to replace aging cesspools with modern wastewater systems. The project seeks to protect Puako Reef from sewage pollution, establish a replicable model for funding and managing cesspool upgrades across the state, and simultaneously install high-speed internet infrastructure to help close the digital divide in rural areas. By combining wastewater treatment with broadband installation, the resolution promotes a collaborative approach that leverages public, private, and community resources to address both environmental and connectivity challenges.
This bill establishes a joint legislative working group in Hawaii to study and recommend a statewide mattress stewardship program. The group will include representatives from government agencies, local counties, mattress manufacturers, recyclers, retailers, environmental nonprofits, and consumer advocates. Its task is to evaluate how to manage discarded mattresses and box springs to reduce landfill waste, illegal dumping, and fire risks by designing collection, recycling, and funding systems. The working group must submit its findings and any proposed legislation to the Legislature by March 2027. This resolution does not create the program itself but sets up a planning process to develop one.
This bill establishes a Legislative Task Force on Hawaii's Future Energy Pathways to study strategies for transitioning the state's energy system over the next three decades. The task force will examine how to reduce electricity costs for residents and businesses while minimizing risks to ratepayers and meeting Hawaii's legal goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045. Members will review options for integrating renewable resources like solar and wind, evaluate potential fossil fuel investments, and learn from other states' energy transitions. The committee will include representatives from the House energy committee, the Senate, and the Hawaii State Energy Office to coordinate their findings and recommendations.
This resolution urges the U.S. Department of Defense to review and potentially reopen its environmental cleanup decisions at military sites in Hawaii, specifically regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). It calls for expanded investigations beyond areas previously linked to firefighting foam to include all historical uses of PFAS-containing materials, equipment, and waste streams at military facilities. The measure requests that the Department of Defense apply updated scientific knowledge and recent federal hazardous substance designations to assess groundwater, soil, and water contamination more thoroughly before closing sites.
This bill designates March 2026 as March4Water Month in Hawaii to raise awareness about water conservation and infrastructure investment. It formally partners with the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and local plumbing unions to promote educational activities and programs focused on water resource management. The resolution encourages residents to participate in initiatives that highlight the importance of safe drinking water and infrastructure maintenance, and it directs copies of the resolution to state and county officials responsible for water services.
This bill asks the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit an annual report on the Hawaii Genuine Progress Indicator (HI GPI) to the state legislature, starting in 2027. The report would provide a comprehensive assessment of the state's economic, social, and environmental well-being using metrics that go beyond traditional measures like GDP. The bill requires the report to include an executive summary, detailed indicator results across economic, social, and environmental categories, methodology explanations, policy implications, and supporting data tables. The department must also make the report available online and send copies to relevant legislative committee chairs.
This bill is a House resolution urging the Department of Land and Natural Resources to prioritize issuing a water set-aside to the County of Maui through an executive order by the Governor. The resolution addresses water management in East Maui, specifically the Nahiku, Ke'anae, Honomanu, and Huelo State License Areas, where drought conditions have reduced water availability for residents, businesses, and farmers. The bill calls on state agencies to support the County's efforts to manage public trust water resources, citing constitutional obligations and the public trust doctrine. It highlights potential benefits such as funding for water system repairs, reduced water costs for residents and farmers, and watershed restoration, while noting that the County has already established a local water authority through a voter-approved charter amendment.
This bill urges state agencies that own or control land in West Maui to actively manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risks in the Lahaina area and surrounding communities. It calls for agencies to clear invasive grasses, create defensible space, maintain fuel breaks, and ensure emergency access routes remain open to protect homes, schools, and temporary housing from future fires. The resolution specifically names agencies like the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and Department of Education as responsible for implementing these measures on their lands. The bill is based on lessons from the 2023 Lahaina wildfires and recent weather patterns that have increased fuel loads from rapid vegetation growth.
