STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3469

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 101

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Housing, to which was referred S.R. No. 101 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND LAND MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO DEVELOP A COUNTYWIDE HOUSING PATTERN BOOK TO STREAMLINE PERMIT APPROVALS AND REDUCE REGULATORY BARRIERS FOR SAFE, AFFORDABLE, AND WELL-DESIGNED HOMES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Housing and Land Management of the City and County of Honolulu to develop a countywide housing pattern book containing pre-reviewed residential building designs that comply with applicable building codes and best practices for safety, affordability, resilience, and architectural quality.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Housing and Land Management of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committees find that while increasing the supply of safe, affordable, and community-compatible housing remains a statewide priority, production is often slowed by complex permitting processes, inconsistent design standards, and regulatory barriers that add cost and delay. A housing pattern book containing pre‑reviewed residential designs that comply with applicable codes has already proven effective in Hawaii County, where these designs have significantly decreased permitting times. This measure provides a potential road map for permit reform, furthering the State's commitment to reducing delays and encouraging affordable housing growth.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that the countywide housing pattern book applies only to the City and County of Honolulu; and

(2) Requesting that the Department of Housing and Land Management of the City and County of Honolulu to collaborate with the Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 101, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 101, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Housing,

________________________________ STANLEY CHANG, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair