STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1520-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2367

S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 2367, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE BOATING FACILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop and implement a project to improve portions of Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, as envisioned by the 2022 University of Hawaii Community Design Center Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor Vision Report; and

(2) Authorize the Board of Land and Natural Resources to lease, until June 30, 2046, the remaining portion of Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Vida Mia. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO; Save Surf Parking Coalition; UNITE HERE Local 5; and six individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from The Maritime Group; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; Scouting America, Aloha Council; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is responsible for the operation and management of state small boat harbors. Your Committee further finds that the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor is sometimes viewed as a "gateway to Waikiki" and holds significant potential to provide a positive and memorable welcome to residents and visitors as they enter Waikiki and to serve as a community space for gatherings and recreational activities. However, your Committee also finds that it is important to ensure safe and meaningful public access for residents and visitors heading to the shoreline for relaxation and recreation. Your Committee additionally finds that in developing a master plan for state small boat harbors, including the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, the Department of Land and Natural Resources should make a concerted effort to seek public input and feedback regarding these important ocean recreation resources.

Therefore, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that would have required the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop and implement a project to improve portions of Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor and would have authorized the Board of Land and Natural Resources to temporarily lease the remaining portion of Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor;

(2) Requiring the Department of Land and Natural Resources to:

(A) Hold open public meetings before and as it develops a master plan regarding state small boat harbors, including the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor;

(B) Develop a finalized master plan for state small boat harbors, including the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor; and

(3) Changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2367, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2367, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair