STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1925-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.R. No. 77

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.R. No. 77 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE ISSUE OF ILLEGAL DUMPING WITHIN THE WAIPAHU COMMUNITY AND URGING THE STATE, CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, AND MILITARY TO WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to recognize the issue of illegal dumping within the Waipahu community and urge the State, City and County of Honolulu, and military to work together to address this concern.

Prior to the hearing on this measure, your Committee posted and made available for public review a proposed H.D. 1, which deletes the contents of this measure and instead strongly urges the City and County of Honolulu to reconsider using the Waipio Soccer Complex as its next landfill site.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the proposed H.D. 1 from one member of the Honolulu City Council; Hawaii Youth Soccer Association; Hui O Hoʻohonua; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the proposed H.D. 1 from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the proposed H.D. 1 recognizes that the conversion of the Waipio Soccer Complex, which serves as a crucial hub for collegiate, high school, and amateur sports and recreational activities and provides opportunities for the community to engage in physical fitness and social interaction, into a landfill site would:

(1) Pose detrimental effects on the environment, including soil contamination, air pollution, and disruption of wildlife habitats, including nearby marine and wetland habitats;

(2) Adversely affect the health and well-being of nearby residents, exposing them to potential hazards associated with waste-disposal activities, such as odors, noise, and increased traffic congestion; and

(3) Significantly affect Waipahu High School, which is located in close proximity to the Waipio Soccer Complex, and potentially expose students, faculty, and staff to health risks and environmental hazards.

Your Committee further finds that there exist alternative sites for landfill development that are less ecologically sensitive and more suitable for accommodating waste-management needs without compromising the integrity of recreational spaces and the natural environment.

Your Committee has amended this measure by adopting the proposed H.D. 1.

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. 77, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 77, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair