REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS, TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO COORDINATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLANNING TO REDUCE INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS FOR HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS DEVELOPMENTS.

SCR138

THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

138

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the Department of transportation, in
collaboration with the department of hawaiian home lands, to convene a working
group to coordinate capital improvement planning to reduce infrastructure costs
for Hawaiian Home Lands Developments
.

����
WHEREAS, Act
279, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022 (Act 279), appropriated $600,000,000 for the
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to address the backlog of applicants on its
waitlist for homestead leases; and

����
WHEREAS, Act
279 identified costs of infrastructure as a major challenge faced by the
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in preparing lots for homestead leases; and

����
WHEREAS, these
costs include preparing land for homesteading with adequate roads, water, sewer
drainage, electrical, and other necessities; and

����
WHEREAS, any
infrastructure development or capital improvement efforts undertaken by the
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands should be in coordination with other relevant
departments and stakeholders in order to reduce costs and increase efficiency;
and

����
WHEREAS, the
Department of Transportation is engaged in a number of infrastructure projects
that may overlap with current or future Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
development initiatives; and

����
WHEREAS, the
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Department of Transportation must ensure
synchronized and coordinated planning in capital improvement planning; now,
therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department
of Transportation, in collaboration with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands,
is requested to convene a working group to coordinate capital improvement
planning to reduce infrastructure costs for Hawaiian home lands developments;
and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consist of the following
members:

����
(1)
�
The Director of Transportation, or the
Director's designee, who shall serve as chairperson of the working group;

����
(2)
�
The Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes
Commission, or the Chairperson's designee;

����
(3)
�
The Planning and Development Coordinator of
the Land Development Division of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, or the
Coordinator's designee;

����
(4)
�
The Chief Executive Officer of the Office of
Hawaiian Affairs, or the Chief Executive Officer's designee; and

����
(5)
�
Individuals with experience in infrastructure
planning, transportation, finance, or other relevant expertise, as invited by the
chairperson; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the working group is requested to:

����
(1)
�
Review and compare planned capital improvement
projects of the Department of Transportation and Department of Hawaiian Home
Lands over a five-year planning period;

����
(2)
�
Identify geographic areas where planned
Department of Transportation projects overlap with current or planned Hawaiian home
lands developments;

����
(3)
�
Evaluate opportunities to coordinate roadway,
drainage, grading, and related infrastructure work to reduce duplicative
mobilization and construction costs;

����
(4)
�
Assess the potential cost savings associated
with synchronized project planning and joint execution;

����
(5)
�
Develop a standardized early-notification and
coordination process to ensure timely information sharing between the departments
regarding upcoming projects;

����
(6)
�
Identify statutory, regulatory, or procedural
barriers that may inhibit coordinated capital improvement execution; and

����
(7)
�
Recommend necessary administrative or
legislative changes to institutionalize coordinated planning efforts; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report of its findings
and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no
later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027;
and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the working group shall cease to exist on June 30, 2027; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the
Director of Transportation, Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, and
Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Department
of Transportation; Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Capital Improvement
Planning; Working Group