REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO ESTABLISH AN OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP A ROADMAP AND RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN HAWAII.

HR144

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

144

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

Requesting the hawaii state energy office to establish an
offshore wind energy working group to develop a roadmap and recommendations
regarding offshore wind energy development in hawaii.

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WHEREAS, offshore
wind power is in the early stages of development in the United
States, with numerous state and federal offshore wind energy
production targets already established for the coming years; and

WHEREAS, offshore wind
development is potentially a source of sustainable, cost-effective, clean
power, it may also lead to environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic impacts
for local communities; and

WHEREAS, following the
establishment of the State's goal of achieving one hundred percent renewable
energy by 2045, areas off the coast of O'ahu have been subject to unsolicited
wind energy lease requests; and

WHEREAS, communities affected
by these lease requests have often expressed strong concerns or outright
opposition to offshore wind deployment; and

WHEREAS, as offshore wind
energy grows in adoption and Hawaii considers possible developments in its
waters, it is vital to balance the benefits of this energy source with
infrastructure capacity and community sentiment; and

WHEREAS, this resolution
reflects one of the final policy initiatives advanced by the late
Representative Gene Ward, who passed away after more than thirty years of
dedicated service to his community and the State of Hawai'i, during which time
he worked tirelessly to represent his constituents and address issues affecting
the future of the State; now, therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Hawaii State Energy Office is
requested to establish an Offshore Wind Energy Working Group to develop a
roadmap and recommendations regarding offshore wind energy development
in Hawaii; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED the Offshore Wind Energy Working Group shall convene to:

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(1)
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Compile and review existing data related to
offshore wind energy development;

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(2)
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Engage community stakeholders in discussions
regarding offshore wind development;

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(3)
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Evaluate the suitability of offshore wind
energy development in Hawaii;

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(4)
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Develop recommendations regarding possible
adjustments to the State's renewable energy goals; and

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(5)
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Establish best practices to guide the State in
evaluating and initiating offshore wind energy projects; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Director of the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management within the U.S.
Department of the Interior, the Governor, the Chief Energy Officer of the
Hawai'i State Energy Office, the Chair of the Public Utilities Commission, the
Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Director of the Office
of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Chief Executive Officer of the
Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:
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Offshore
Wind Energy; Working Group; HSEO