STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1913-26

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 Economic Development & Technology, 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; and eight individuals.

Your Committee finds that coral is vital to Hawaii's environment and economy, yet wastewater pollution from cesspools is contributing to the severe degradation of coral and ocean resources, including at Puakō Reef where live coral cover has plummeted from seventy percent to seven percent. Your Committee further finds that the Puakō community has spent thirteen years developing a generational solution that integrates advanced wastewater technology with fiber-optic infrastructure through a collaborative public-private-philanthropic partnership model that can serve as a replicable roadmap for other coastal communities. This measure promotes the environmental health of Puakō Reef by encouraging the completion of the Puakō Sewage Project.

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

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Technology,

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GREGGOR ILAGAN, Chair