STAND. COM. REP. NO. 340-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1650

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1650, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to repeal the environmental assessment requirement for proposed actions within the Waikiki Special District.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaiʻi YIMBY; United Chinese Society of Hawaii; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from The Outdoor Circle; Hawaiʻi's Thousand Friends; Chamber of Sustainable Commerce; and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; Hawaiʻi Association of REALTORS; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that in places like the Waikiki Special District, the City and County of Honolulu already requires extensive review through its special district permitting process. These reviews include public input, design oversight, and specific protections for historic and culturally significant structures. Requiring projects to have an additional environmental assessment under Chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes, would likely result in a duplication of analyses, adding time and cost without providing meaningful new information. Your Committee further finds that this measure takes a targeted and reasonable step toward reducing unnecessary duplication in the development approval process.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1650, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair