STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1625-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.C.R. No. 157

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 157 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO CONVENE A DEMOLITION WASTE REDUCTION WORKING GROUP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to convene a Demolition Waste Reduction Working Group.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Solid Waste Reduction Task Force of Hawaii Environmental Change Agents; Energy Justice Network; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that construction and demolition waste constitute a significant amount of landfill mass nationwide and represent one of the largest contributors to solid waste in Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that local recycling nonprofits and community-based organizations in the State have made significant progress in advocating for deconstruction, reuse, and circular economy principles but have been unable to turn these efforts into broader policy change. This measure seeks to advance the State's efforts on waste reduction by convening experts and relevant stakeholders through a working group to identify strategies and solutions to reduce construction and demolition waste.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 157 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair