STAND. COM. REP. NO. 461-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2426

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. 2426 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE PARKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from nine individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that public parks serve as essential community gathering places that foster social interaction, cultural connection, and shared stewardship of the land. Your Committee further finds that this measure, which supports the expansion of Wailuku River State Park, would enhance its role as a natural, cultural, and recreational resource.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Authorizing the Department of Land and Natural Resources to exercise the power of eminent domain for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park;

(2) Changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation of general obligation bond funds in the amount of $3,500,000.

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. 2426, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2426, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair