HB 2426: Wailuku River State Park; Expansion; Eminent Domain; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO STATE PARKS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Wailuku river state park is an important natural, cultural, and recreational resource that provides public access to open space and opportunities to experience the natural environment.  Access to parks and natural areas supports mental and physical health by reducing stress, improving emotional well-being, and encouraging walking, bicycling, and other outdoor activities that promote lifelong wellness.

     The legislature further finds that public parks serve as essential community gathering places that foster social interaction, cultural connection, and shared stewardship of the land.  The expansion of Wailuku river state park will not only enhance its role as a natural, cultural, and recreational resource and opportunity for the public to access open space and the natural environment but also support the creation of a vehicle-free safe route to school, improving student safety and independence while reducing traffic congestion, allowing parents to get to work on time, and relieving family stresses.

     The legislature concludes that establishing and funding the expansion of Wailuku river state park will promote mental health, physical well-being, safe mobility, and community connection, while enhancing equitable access to this public resource for present and future generations.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Authorize and appropriate funds for the expansion of Wailuku river state park; and

     (2)  Authorize the department of land and natural resources to exercise the power of eminent domain for the expansion of Wailuku river state park.

     SECTION 2.  The department of land and natural resources may acquire the fee simple interest in the following parcels for the expansion of Wailuku river state park:

     (1)  TMK (3) 2-5-008-003;

     (2)  TMK (3) 2-5-008-025;

     (3)  TMK (3) 2-5-008-026; and

     (4)  TMK (3) 2-5-008-027.

     SECTION 3.  The following sums or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 are appropriated or authorized, as the case may be, from moneys in the treasury received from general obligation bond funds and federal grants to finance the capital improvement project listed below.  The letter symbols used after the specific project appropriations indicate the source of financing and have the following meaning:  (C) general obligation bond fund and (N) federal funds.

LNR806 – PARKS ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION

1.        WAILUKU RIVER STATE PARK EXPANSION, HAWAII

     LAND FOR THE EXPANSION OF WAILUKU RIVER STATE PARK.

               TOTAL FUNDING            LNR      $          C

                                        LNR                  N

     SECTION 4.  The sums appropriated shall be expended, and the bonds authorized shall be issued, by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  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.

     SECTION 6.  Pursuant to chapter 101, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the department of land and natural resources may acquire any real property, including fixtures and improvements, or any interest in real property, for the purposes of this Act; provided that the department makes a determination that the real property is necessary for the department's immediate or future use.  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, any real property acquired by the department pursuant to chapter 101, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the purposes of this Act shall not thereafter be transferred or taken for any other public use without the consent of the department.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on June 30, 2864.

Report Title:

Wailuku River State Park; Expansion; Eminent Domain; Appropriation

Description:

Authorizes and appropriates funds for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park.  Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to exercise the power of eminent domain for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park.  Effective 6/30/2864.  (SD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO STATE PARKS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Wailuku river state park is an important natural, cultural, and recreational resource that provides public access to open space and opportunities to experience the natural environment.  Access to parks and natural areas supports mental and physical health by reducing stress, improving emotional well-being, and encouraging walking, bicycling, and other outdoor activities that promote lifelong wellness.

     The legislature further finds that public parks serve as essential community gathering places that foster social interaction, cultural connection, and shared stewardship of the land.  The expansion of Wailuku river state park will not only enhance its role as a natural, cultural, and recreational resource and opportunity for the public to access open space and the natural environment but also support the creation of a vehicle-free safe route to school, improving student safety and independence while reducing traffic congestion, allowing parents to get to work on time, and relieving family stresses.

     The legislature concludes that establishing and funding the expansion of Wailuku river state park will promote mental health, physical well-being, safe mobility, and community connection, while enhancing equitable access to this public resource for present and future generations.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Authorize and appropriate funds for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park; and

     (2)  Authorize the department of land and natural resources to exercise the power of eminent domain for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park.

     SECTION 2.  The department of land and natural resources may acquire the fee simple interest in the following parcels for the expansion of Wailuku river state park:

     (1)  TMK (3) 2-5-008-003;

     (2)  TMK (3) 2-5-008-025;

     (3)  TMK (3) 2-5-008-026; and

     (4)  TMK (3) 2-5-008-027.

     SECTION 3.  The following sums or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 are appropriated or authorized, as the case may be, from moneys in the treasury received from general obligation bond funds and federal grants to finance the capital improvement project listed below.  The letter symbols used after the specific project appropriations indicate the source of financing and have the following meaning:  (C) general obligation bond fund and (N) federal funds.

LNR806 – PARKS ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION

1.        WAILUKU RIVER STATE PARK EXPANSION, HAWAII

     LAND FOR THE EXPANSION OF WAILUKU RIVER STATE PARK.

              TOTAL FUNDING            LNR      $          C

                                      LNR                  N

     SECTION 4.  The sums appropriated shall be expended, and the bonds authorized shall be issued, by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  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.

     SECTION 6.  Pursuant to chapter 101, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the department of land and natural resources may acquire any real property, including fixtures and improvements, or any interest in real property, for the purposes of this Act; provided that the department makes a determination that the real property is necessary for the department's immediate or future use.  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, any real property acquired by the department pursuant to chapter 101, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the purposes of this Act shall not thereafter be transferred or taken for any other public use without the consent of the department.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Wailuku River State Park; Expansion; Eminent Domain; Appropriation

Description:

Authorizes and appropriates funds for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park.  Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to exercise the power of eminent domain for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO STATE PARKS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Wailuku river state park is an important natural, cultural, and recreational resource that provides public access to open space and opportunities to experience the natural environment.  Access to parks and natural areas supports mental and physical health by reducing stress, improving emotional well-being, and encouraging walking, bicycling, and other outdoor activities that promote lifelong wellness.

     The legislature further finds that public parks serve as essential community gathering places that foster social interaction, cultural connection, and shared stewardship of the land.  The expansion of Wailuku river state park will not only enhance its role as a natural, cultural, and recreational resource and opportunity for the public to access open space and the natural environment, but also support the creation of a vehicle-free safe route to school, improving student safety and independence while reducing traffic congestion, allowing parents to get to work on time, and relieving family stresses.

     The legislature concludes that establishing and funding the expansion of Wailuku river state park will promote mental health, physical well-being, safe mobility, and community connection, while enhancing equitable access to this public resource for present and future generations.

     The purpose of this Act is to authorize and appropriate funds for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park.

     SECTION 2.  The department of land and natural resources may acquire the fee simple interest in the following parcels for the expansion of Wailuku river state park:

     (1)  TMK (3) 2-5-008-003;

     (2)  TMK (3) 2-5-008-025;

     (3)  TMK (3) 2-5-008-026; and

     (4)  TMK (3) 2-5-008-027.

     SECTION 3.  The following sums or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 are appropriated or authorized, as the case may be, from moneys in the treasury received from general obligation bond funds and federal grants to finance the capital improvement project listed below.  The letter symbols used after the specific project appropriations indicate the source of financing and have the following meaning:  (C) general obligation bond fund and (N) federal funds.

LNR806 – PARKS ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION

1.        WAILUKU RIVER STATE PARK EXPANSION, HAWAII

     LAND FOR THE EXPANSION OF WAILUKU RIVER STATE PARK.

              TOTAL FUNDING            LNR      $ 3,500,000C

                                      LNR                  N

     SECTION 4.  The sums appropriated shall be expended, and the bonds authorized shall be issued, by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  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.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

Wailuku River State Park; Expansion; Appropriation

Description:

Authorizes and appropriates funds for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  888-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 2426

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2426, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE PARKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Authorize and appropriate funds for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park; and

     (2)  Authorize the Department of Land and Natural Resources to exercise the power of eminent domain for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2426, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  461-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 2426

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2426 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE PARKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize and appropriate funds for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from nine individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee finds that public parks serve as essential community gathering places that foster social interaction, cultural connection, and shared stewardship of the land.  Your Committee further finds that this measure, which supports the expansion of Wailuku River State Park, would enhance its role as a natural, cultural, and recreational resource.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Authorizing the Department of Land and Natural Resources to exercise the power of eminent domain for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park;

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation of general obligation bond funds in the amount of $3,500,000.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2426, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2426, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,