HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2426
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO STATE PARKS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Wailuku river state park is an important natural, cultural, and recreational resource that provides public access to open space and opportunities to experience the natural environment. Access to parks and natural areas supports mental and physical health by reducing stress, improving emotional well-being, and encouraging walking, bicycling, and other outdoor activities that promote lifelong wellness.

The legislature further finds that public parks serve as essential community gathering places that foster social interaction, cultural connection, and shared stewardship of the land. The expansion of Wailuku river state park will not only enhance its role as a natural, cultural, and recreational resource and opportunity for the public to access open space and the natural environment, but also support the creation of a vehicle-free safe route to school, improving student safety and independence while reducing traffic congestion, allowing parents to get to work on time, and relieving family stresses.

The legislature concludes that establishing and funding the expansion of Wailuku river state park will promote mental health, physical well-being, safe mobility, and community connection, while enhancing equitable access to this public resource for present and future generations.

The purpose of this Act is to authorize and appropriate funds for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park.

SECTION 2. The department of land and natural resources may acquire the fee simple interest in the following parcels for the expansion of Wailuku river state park:

(1) TMK (3) 2-5-008-003;

(2) TMK (3) 2-5-008-025;

(3) TMK (3) 2-5-008-026; and

(4) TMK (3) 2-5-008-027.

SECTION 3. The following sums or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 are appropriated or authorized, as the case may be, from moneys in the treasury received from general obligation bond funds and federal grants to finance the capital improvement project listed below. The letter symbols used after the specific project appropriations indicate the source of financing and have the following meaning: (C) general obligation bond fund and (N) federal funds.

LNR806 – PARKS ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION

1. WAILUKU RIVER STATE PARK EXPANSION, HAWAII

LAND FOR THE EXPANSION OF WAILUKU RIVER STATE PARK.

TOTAL FUNDING LNR $ 3,500,000C

LNR       N

SECTION 4. The sums appropriated shall be expended, and the bonds authorized shall be issued, by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2028, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Wailuku River State Park; Expansion; Appropriation

Description:

Authorizes and appropriates funds for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.