STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1849-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 132

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.R. No. 132, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING STATE AGENCIES THAT OWN OR CONTROL LAND IN WEST MAUI TO IMPLEMENT AND ENFORCE AGGRESSIVE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT, FUEL REDUCTION, DEFENSIBLE SPACE, AND EMERGENCY ACCESS MEASURES TO REDUCE WILDFIRE RISK TO LAHAINA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge state agencies owning or controlling land in West Maui, including the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and any other applicable state agencies, to immediately identify, prioritize, and abate hazardous vegetation, invasive grasses, and other combustible growth on lands in or adjacent to Lahaina and nearby West Maui communities for the purpose of reducing the risk of wildfires.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that state-owned lands form part of the larger, unmanaged, fire-prone grassland landscape around Lahaina specifically and West Maui generally, which remain at high wildfire risk because invasive grasses lack active management, and these conditions can again serve as a conduit for the spread of fire into developed areas if hazardous fuels are not systematically reduced. Your Committee further finds that community concern remains acute regarding the growth of rampant vegetation on large parcels near homes, schools, evacuation corridors, and temporary housing areas for survivors of the August 2023 Maui wildfires. Your Committee also finds that this measure represents a coordinated, science-based approach to reduce the risk of wildfire not only on Maui but across the entire State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 132, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair