HCR 19: URGING THE GOVERNOR TO CREATE A TASK FORCE ON MILITARY PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN THE PUBLIC-MILITARY RELATIONSHIP IN HAWAII.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

urging the governor to create a task force on military partnership to develop and strengthen the public-military relationship in hawaii.

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's people and land host more than forty-two thousand active duty military personnel, including fourteen military reservations and military training facilities; and

     WHEREAS, the vast majority of the military's personnel and resources in Hawaii are located on the island of Oahu; and

     WHEREAS, the Red Hill fuel leaks, military ordnance training at Kahoolawe, and other concerns have damaged the public-military relationship in Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, more can be done to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between the military and the public in Hawaii and to jointly prepare for any future emergencies; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Governor is urged to create a task force on military partnership to develop and strengthen the public‑military relationship in Hawaii; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to comprise the following members or their designees:

     (1)  The Governor;

     (2)  The President of the Senate;

     (3)  The Speaker of the House of Representatives;

     (4)  The Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; and

     (5)  The Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is urged to consider how the public can benefit from military processes and resources, including:

     (1)  Water resources;

     (2)  The use of gyms, fields, and pools for youth sports;

     (3)  Housing;

     (4)  Land for farming, storage, or other beneficial uses;

     (5)  Water treatment processes and technologies;

     (6)  Electrical power production;

     (7)  Employment opportunities; and

     (8)  Any other beneficial uses; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force 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 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, President of the Senate, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, and Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command.

Report Title:

Military; Task Force on Military Partnership; Report

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1891

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.C.R. No. 19

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 19 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE GOVERNOR TO CREATE A TASK FORCE ON MILITARY PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN THE PUBLIC-MILITARY RELATIONSHIP IN HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to strengthen the public-military relationship in Hawaii by creating a taskforce comprised of the Governor, the President of the Senate; the Speaker of the House of Representatives; the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; and the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command.

     In the first hearing of this measure, your Committee received testimony in support from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and three individuals; and received testimony in opposition from one individual. In the second and final hearing of this measure, your Committee received testimony in support from one individual.

     Your Committee recognizes the public's call for greater transparency in the legislative process. Typically, when an individual Chair is personally opposed to a measure, they unilaterally defer it, without a vote. In this case, the Vice Chair (Acting Chair) was personally opposed to the measure, but wanted to ensure that committee members could record their support. Therefore, the Acting Chair recommended the measure be passed as is, despite voting against it as the individual Representative from Kakaako. Your Committee recognizes that the broad goals outlined in this measure fall short of identifying longstanding tensions and community concerns, and could be further refined to provide more guidance for the work of the task force.  

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee ultimately concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 19 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,