STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3256

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2426

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 2426, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize and appropriate funds for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park; and

(2) Authorize the Department of Land and Natural Resources to exercise the power of eminent domain for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park.

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

Your Committee finds that public parks serve as important natural, cultural, and recreational resources that also foster social interaction and support public wellness. Wailuku River State Park already provides these benefits to the surrounding community, but the Park could further enhance its service to the public through an expansion and creation of a vehicle-free safe route to school. This measure will promote mental health, physical well-being, safe mobility, and community connection, while enhancing equitable access to the Waikiki River State Park for present and future generations.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of June 30, 2864, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2426, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2426, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts,

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair