STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3499

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 180

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 180 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT 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 and intent of this measure is to urge 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.

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 agencies, such as the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, control substantial lands in the Lahaina area. It is crucial for these agencies to reduce hazardous vegetation and strengthen defensible space around residential communities, temporary housing areas for wildfire survivors, schools, and major evacuation routes to prevent the spread of fire to vulnerable areas. This measure supports public safety in Lahaina and its surrounding communities by urging state agencies to implement certain fire control measures in West Maui.

Your Committee notes the testimony of the Department of Land and Natural Resources that the Department of the Attorney General has already hired the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization to create a statewide wildfire action plan based on recommendations from the Fire Safety Research Institute. Your Committee further notes the request by the Department of Land and Natural Resources that any actions outlined in this measure should align with the Fire Safety Research Institute's recommendations and be guided by the upcoming statewide wildfire action plan, which will serve as the main framework for setting priorities and carrying out fire safety efforts.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 180 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,

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CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair