STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1746-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 147

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. 147 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HAWAIʻI WATER SAFETY COALITION'S HAWAIʻI WATER SAFETY PLAN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support the findings and recommendations of the Hawaii Water Safety Coalition's Hawaii Water Safety Plan.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition; Hawaiian Lifeguard Association; Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation; Rescue Tube Foundation; Safe Kids Worldwide; Hawaiʻi Search and Rescue Alliance; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that drowning is the leading cause of death for children in the State between ages one and fifteen, with twenty-six children lost between 2019 and 2023. Your Committee further finds that visitors make up less than fifteen percent of the State's average daily population but constitute the majority of drowning victims, with snorkeling accounting for ninety-one percent of visitor ocean drownings. Your Committee also finds that the Hawaii Water Safety Coalition, formed in 2023 and now under the umbrella of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, has developed the Hawaii Water Safety Plan as a comprehensive, evidenced-informed strategy aligned with the United States National Water Safety Action Plan and international best practices.

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. 147 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair