STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2384

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2924

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2924 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE KANEHILI COMMUNITY HALE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for a capital improvement project for the construction of the Kanehili Community Hale, a new access road, and a parking lot at the Kanehili Homestead.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Kānehili Community Association, and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Kānehili Homestead Community, and its native Hawaiian beneficiaries, need a critical investment in the cultural vitality, educational advancement, and overall well-being of their community. Your Committee further finds that the Kānehili Community Hale is a community-driven project that will strengthen the Kānehili Community Homestead through the cultural preservation, education, community engagement, access to recreation, and promotion of the well-being of lessees. This measure will promote self‑determination, economic self‑sufficiency, and the long‑term stability of native Hawaiian beneficiaries.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Appropriating funds from the general fund rather than general obligation bonds; and

(2) Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2924, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2924, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs,

________________________________

HERBERT M. RICHARDS, III, Chair