STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1681

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 35

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 35 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT 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:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Hawaii 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 Hawaii island.

Your Committee received no testimony on this measure.

Your Committee finds that a lack of access to a consistent water supply prevents the development of basic infrastructure in rural and remote areas, such as the establishment of public schools, medical and community health centers, grocery stores, and financial institutions. To address these issues, the Hawaii County Department of Water Supply launched the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates Water Facilities Project in Ocean View in 2012, which involved the construction of a standpipe well for the community. Despite the establishment of the well, water access remains a significant challenge for residents of Ocean View, Milolii, and neighboring communities, most of whose residents continue to rely on catchment systems. This measure will help to increase water access and strengthen water infrastructure for underserved communities on Hawaii Island.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 35 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair