STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1606-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 33

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.R. No. 33 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING HAWAIʻI COUNTY, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PUAKŌ COMMUNITY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, TO COMPLETE THE PUAKŌ SEWAGE PROJECT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to encourage Hawaiʻi County, in collaboration with the Puakō community, Department of Health, and other stakeholders, to complete the Puakō Sewage Project.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo; Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition; Puakō for Reefs; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that wastewater pollution is contributing to the degradation of Hawaii's ocean resources, including at Puakō Reef, where live coral cover has declined from seventy percent to seven percent. Your Committee further finds that Puakō community volunteers have worked over the last thirteen years to create a solution for wastewater pollution in Puakō Reef, which includes the installation of advanced wastewater collection technology integrated with fiber-optic infrastructure. This measure simultaneously promotes the environmental health of Puakō Reef and expands high-speed internet access for the Puakō community by encouraging the completion of the Puakō Sewage Project.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 33 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Economic Development & Technology.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair