STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1078-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2616

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2616, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE BANYAN DRIVE-MAKAOKŪ COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Waiakea Community Development District within the Hawaii Community Development Authority;

(2) Specify the powers and duties of the Hawaii Community Development Authority as it relates to the new development district and amend the composition of the Authority to include representatives of the new development district;

(3) Establish, and appropriate funds into and out of, the Waiakea Community Development District Special Fund; and

(4) Establish a Community Advisory Council to provide guidance regarding the redevelopment of the Waiakea Community Development District.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii Community Development Authority; Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi; Department of Research and Development for the County of Hawaiʻi; Planning Department for the County of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association; and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Na Wai Hoʻola Nui Laʻau Lapaʻau Foundation; Waiākea Crown Land Heirs; Keaukaha Action Network; Truth for the People; and eight individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency; and one member of the Maui County Council.

Your Committee has amended this measure by reverting to the contents of this measure as it was introduced, which:

(1) Establishes the Banyan Drive-Makaokū Community Development District;

(2) Includes representatives of the District, including a lineal descendant of the Makaokū area, among the membership of the Hawaii Community Development Authority;

(3) Establishes the Banyan Drive-Makaokū Redevelopment Agency as an entity within the Hawaii Community Development Authority;

(4) Establishes the Banyan Drive-Makaokū Community Development District Special Fund; and

(5) Specifies the powers and duties of the Hawaii Community Development Authority as it relates to the Banyan Drive-Makaokū Community Development District.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2616, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2616, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair