STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1182-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2103

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2103, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE LAND USE COMMISSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Amend the composition of the Land Use Commission to permit more than one member who has substantial experience or expertise in traditional Hawaiian land usage and knowledge of cultural land practices and require at least one member who has substantial experience in water resource management; and

(2) Require the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to submit a list of nominees to the Governor for the appointment of a commission member having substantial experience or expertise in traditional Hawaiian land usage and knowledge of cultural land practices.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; one member of the Maui County Council; Aliʻi Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club; Kupuna for the Moopuna; Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition; Climate Protectors Hawaiʻi; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs; Hanai Kaiaulu; Moanalua Gardens Foundation; KuaʻĀina Ulu ʻĀuamo; Hanalei Watershed Hui; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Green Party of Hawaiʻi; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Land Use Commission.

Your Committee finds that the Land Use Commission has a duty to protect Hawaii's land, water, and Native Hawaiian rights. Your Committee further finds that historically, the Land Use Commission has not considered the water demands of projects when making decisions about land use or permitting. This measure ensures that the Land Use Commission has the capacity and expertise needed to address these issues by requiring membership of individuals with water resource management and traditional Hawaiian land usage experience.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2103, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2103, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair