STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1653-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.C.R. No. 98

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 Housing, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 98 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND LAND MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO DEVELOP A COUNTYWIDE HOUSING PATTERN BOOK TO STREAMLINE PERMIT APPROVALS AND REDUCE REGULATORY BARRIERS FOR SAFE, AFFORDABLE, AND WELL-DESIGNED HOMES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Housing and Land Management of the City and County of Honolulu to develop a countywide housing pattern book to streamline permit approvals and reduce regulatory barriers for safe, affordable, and well-designed homes.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Housing and Land Management of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that the State continues to experience a severe housing shortage, with the production of safe and affordable housing often delayed by complex permitting processes, inconsistent design standards, and regulatory barriers that increase costs and slow development. Thoughtfully designed, climate‑responsive housing can enhance community well‑being while preserving architectural quality. Furthermore, preapproved housing designs used in other jurisdictions have successfully accelerated housing construction without compromising safety or livability. Your Committee believes that establishing a countywide housing pattern book with pre-reviewed designs and streamlined permitting can reduce regulatory friction, lower development costs, and help increase the timely production of well‑designed housing across Oahu.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the implementing agency from the Department of Housing and Land Management of the City and County of Honolulu to the Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu;

(2) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 98, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Water & Land in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 98, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

LUKE A. EVSLIN, Chair