STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1777
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2023
RE: H.R. No. 56
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Second State Legislature
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.R. No. 56 entitled:
"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAI‘I COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCREASING WATER ACCESS AND STRENGTHENING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES ON HAWAI‘I ISLAND,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee did not receive any written testimony on this measure.
Your Committee finds that many communities located on the southwestern side of Hawaii Island lack access to county water infrastructure, posing a glaring example of structural inequality for that part of the island, which ranks below the state average in household income, educational attainment, and other key social and economic indicators. Your Committee further finds that lack of access to a consistent water supply prevents the development of basic infrastructure in rural and remote areas, including the establishment of public schools, medical and community health centers, grocery stores, and financial institutions. The working group contemplated by this measure would evaluate ways to address this water access inequity and involve key stakeholders in the process.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 56 and recommends its adoption.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,
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____________________________ LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair |
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