STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1897-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 170

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committees on Agriculture & Food Systems and Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.R. No. 170 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY TO EXPLORE AND PURSUE OPPORTUNITIES TO COLOCATE COMMUNITY-BASED RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATING PROJECTS WITH AGRICULTURAL RESERVOIRS AND IRRIGATION WATER INFRASTRUCTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to explore and pursue opportunities to colocate community-based renewable energy generating projects with agricultural reservoirs and irrigation water infrastructure.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Molokai Clean Energy Hui; Hoolehua Homesteaders Association; Hoahu Energy Cooperative Molokai; and twenty-four individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture & Food Systems and Energy & Environmental Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 170 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture & Food Systems and Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair

____________________________ CORY CHUN, Chair