RELATING TO THE WAIKIKI WAR MEMORIAL COMPLEX.

SB3291

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3291

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to the waikiki war memorial complex
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that the Waikiki war memorial natatorium was constructed in
1927 to serve as a "living memorial" to the approximately ten
thousand residents of Hawaii who served in the first world war.
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As a site listed on the national register of
historic places, the natatorium is a landmark of cultural and historical
significance.

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The legislature further finds that, since
its closure to the public in 1979 due to safety concerns, the natatorium has
undergone significant structural degradation.
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However, the legacy of those who served, and the community's desire to
maintain a space dedicated to the dual themes of military sacrifice and the
pursuit of global peace, remains steadfast.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to preserve
the history of Hawaii's participation in the first world war and promote
understanding of war and peace by providing funding to assist with the
rehabilitation of the Waikiki war memorial complex, including the Waikiki war
memorial natatorium, and to develop a war memorial center.

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SECTION 2.
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The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds
in the sum of $30,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same
sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year
2026-2027 for the purpose of assisting War Memorials of Hawaii Inc., a Hawaii
nonprofit corporation, with:

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(1)
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The
acquisition of land;

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(2)
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The
rehabilitation of the Waikiki war memorial natatorium and Waikiki war memorial
complex; and

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(3)
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The
planning, design, and construction of a war memorial center within the Waikiki
war memorial complex on parcels identified by tax map key numbers (1) 3-1-31-3,
-9, and -10;

provided
that the following conditions are met:

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(A)
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The Hawaii community development authority
shall assist War Memorials of Hawaii Inc., in:

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(i)
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Developing a conceptual master plan;

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(ii)
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Negotiating a master lease with the board of
land and natural resources and the city and county of Honolulu; and

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(iii)
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Financing and developing the war memorial
center;

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(B)
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War Memorials of Hawaii Inc., shall solicit
the participation of business, community, government, and military
organizations in the rehabilitation of the Waikiki war memorial natatorium and
Waikiki war memorial complex and the planning, design, financing, and
construction of the war memorial center; and

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(C)
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The Waikiki war memorial natatorium, Waikiki
war memorial complex, and war memorial center shall be designed for use by
business, community, government, and military organizations and the general
public to foster a better understanding of wars and peace.

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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the Hawaii community development authority for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 3.
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The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by
this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the
appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation
unencumbered as of June 30, 2028, shall lapse as of that date.

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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

HCDA;
Waikiki
War Memorial Natatorium; Waikiki War Memorial Complex; War Memorial Center; General
Obligation Bonds (GO Bonds); CIP

Description:

Authorizes
the issuance of general obligation bonds for capital improvement projects to
rehabilitate the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium and develop a Waikiki war memorial
complex and War memorial center.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.