STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1929

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 125

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 125 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO IDENTIFY RESOURCES NEEDED TO EXECUTE A PLAN TO REPAIR HOMES FOR SAFE HABITATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to identify resources needed to execute a plan to repair homes for safe habitation.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

Your Committee finds that certain Department of Hawaiian Home Lands properties in already-developed communities have remained unoccupied for longer than necessary due to a variety of reasons, such as delays in processing a pending transfer or the need for repairs to restore a unit to habitability. Your Committee finds that by minimizing the length of time that these properties sit unoccupied –- and thereby reducing the general vacancy rate -- the Department can become more efficient, better achieve its mission, and get more beneficiaries into housing. Therefore, this measure requests the Department to improve its processes by developing a plan to quickly and efficiently identify properties that are unoccupied or in need of repairs, assist lessees in assessing repairs and obtaining financing to repair uninhabitable units, expedite pending lease transfers, and conduct contested hearings in a timely manner.

Your Committee notes the testimony of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, expressing concerns that additional personnel and expertise may be necessary to develop and implement a proposed plan in conformance with the aspirations of this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 125, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs,

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MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair