HCR 191: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONVENE A KAILUA BAY ADVISORY WORKING GROUP.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONVENE A KAILUA BAY ADVISORY WORKING GROUP.

     WHEREAS, the Kailua-Kona Wharf, commonly referred to as the Kailua Pier, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island, serves as a vital hub for place-based cultural history, community gatherings, ocean-based tourism, and recreational activities, which supports local businesses and enhances the economy of West Hawaiʻi; and

     WHEREAS, Kailua Pier and the surrounding area of Kailua Bay hold deep cultural and historical significance to the Hawaiʻi Island community as a sacred and political center for Native Hawaiians, serving as the royal residence of King Kamehameha I in his later years and the site of Ahuʻena Heiau, where the King governed and upheld traditional Hawaiian practices; and

     WHEREAS, Kailua Bay witnessed pivotal moments in Hawaiian history, including the transition from the traditional kapu system to a new era of governance in 1819, marking a profound shift in the cultural and societal structure of Hawaiʻi; and

     WHEREAS, the area has remained a vital hub for maritime activity, commerce, and cultural traditions, sustaining generations of Native Hawaiian fishers, voyagers, and practitioners who continue to honor the ancestral connection to the land and ocean; and

     WHEREAS, today, the Kailua Pier provides essential access for fishing, boating, and cultural events, including the annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe Race, the IRONMAN World Championship, and traditional Hawaiian ceremonies, fostering both economic growth and cultural preservation; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to servicing local residents, the Kailua Pier serves as a key arrival point for cruise ships, bringing thousands of visitors to West Hawaiʻi each year, who contribute significantly to the region's economy through tourism-related spending by supporting local businesses, restaurants, tour operators, and cultural sites; and

     WHEREAS, the high level of activity at the Kailua Pier has resulted in persistent challenges related to homelessness, including the frequent vandalism of public facilities, damage to restroom infrastructure, and unauthorized encampments, creating ongoing safety and sanitation concerns for residents and visitors; and

     WHEREAS, while maintenance of the Kailua Pier is essential for public safety, environmental protection, and the long-term benefit of the community, persistent vandalism and destruction of public restrooms and infrastructure have led to rising maintenance costs, disruptions to public access, and the need for continuous repairs by state and county agencies; and

     WHEREAS, the management and operations of Kailua Pier fall under the jurisdiction of multiple government agencies, including the Department of Land and Natural Resources, various departments of the County of Hawaiʻi such as Parks and Recreation and the Police Department and federal entities such as the United States Coast Guard; and

     WHEREAS, local nonprofit organizations, including Destination Kona Coast, play a crucial role in visitor education and greeting programs while serving as dedicated stewards of Kailua Pier, actively monitoring its operations, identifying facility concerns, and relaying issues to government officials in a timely manner; and

     WHEREAS, adopting an interjurisdictional approach to addressing challenges at Kailua Pier would enhance communication between pier users and government officials, while fostering coordinated oversight and effective management among responsible authorities; 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 Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to convene a Kailua Bay Advisory Working Group; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Kailua Bay Advisory Working Group is requested to:

     (1)  Provide a structured forum for state, county, and community stakeholders to collaborate on interjurisdictional issues affecting Kailua Pier;

     (2)  Identify and implement solutions to enhance safety for pier users, including swimmers, boaters, and visitors;

     (3)  Ensure that commercial, recreational, and cultural activities at the pier remain viable and beneficial to the West Hawaiʻi community;

     (4)  Monitor and advocate for necessary repairs, upgrades, and funding to maintain the pier's long-term sustainability;

     (5)  Address issues, including water quality, marine life protection, and pollution, affecting Kailua Pier and Kailua Bay;

     (6)  Offer policy and operational recommendations to improve pier management and operations;

     (7)  Serve as a liaison between government entities and the public, ensuring that community voices are heard and considered in decision-making;

     (8)  Track ongoing and emerging challenges, including homelessness, parking availability, and user conflicts, and propose collaborative solutions; and

     (9)  Convene on a monthly basis; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to include the following members in the working group:

     (1)  The Administrator of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation or the Administrator's designee, who shall serve as chairperson;

     (2)  The member of the Senate who represents the senatorial district in which the pier is located;

     (3)  The member of the House of Representatives who represents the house district in which the pier is located;

     (4)  The member of the Hawaiʻi County Council who represents the council district in which the pier is located;

     (5)  The Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi, or the Mayor's designee;

     (6)  The Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, or the Coordinator's designee;

     (7)  A representative of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority;

     (8)  The Chief of the Hawaiʻi Police Department, or the Chief's designee;

     (9)  A representative of the Kai ʻOpua Canoe Club to be invited by the chairperson;

    (10)  A representative of the Kai ʻEhitu Outrigger Team of Kailua-Kona to be invited by the chairperson;

    (11)  A representative of the Kailua Village Business Improvement District to be invited by the chairperson;

    (12)  A representative of the Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel to be invited by the chairperson;

    (13)  Two community at-large members, to be appointed by the Senator representing the senatorial district in which the pier is located; and

    (14)  Two community at-large members, to be appointed by the Representative representing the house district in which the pier is located; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that beginning in 2025 and for two years thereafter, the Kailua Bay Advisory Group is requested to submit a quarterly report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, Administrator of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi, Chairperson of the Hawaiʻi County Council, Chief of the Hawaiʻi Police Department, the Chairperson of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, President of the Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club, President of the Kai ‘Ehitu Outrigger Team, President of the Kailua Village Business Improvement District, and General Manager of the Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel.

Report Title: 

DLNR; DOBOR; Kailua Pier

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the department of Land and natural resources to convene a kailua bay advisory working group.

     WHEREAS, the Kailua-Kona Wharf, commonly referred to as the Kailua Pier, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island, serves as a vital hub for place-based cultural history, community gatherings, ocean-based tourism, and recreational activities which supports local businesses and enhances the economy of West Hawaiʻi; and

     WHEREAS, Kailua Pier and the surrounding area of Kailua Bay hold deep cultural and historical significance to the Hawaiʻi Island community as a sacred and political center for Native Hawaiians, serving as the royal residence of King Kamehameha I in his later years and the site of Ahuʻena Heiau, where the King governed and upheld traditional Hawaiian practices; and

     WHEREAS, Kailua Bay witnessed pivotal moments in Hawaiian history, including the transition from the traditional kapu system to a new era of governance in 1819, marking a profound shift in the cultural and societal structure of Hawaiʻi; and

     WHEREAS, the area has remained a vital hub for maritime activity, commerce, and cultural traditions, sustaining generations of Native Hawaiian fishers, voyagers, and practitioners who continue to honor the ancestral connection to the land and ocean; and

     WHEREAS, today, the Kailua Pier provides essential access for fishing, boating, and cultural events, including the annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe Race, the IRONMAN World Championship, and traditional Hawaiian ceremonies, fostering both economic growth and cultural preservation; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to servicing local residents, the Kailua Pier serves as a key arrival point for cruise ships, bringing thousands of visitors to West Hawaiʻi each year, who contribute significantly to the region's economy through tourism-related spending by supporting local businesses, restaurants, tour operators, and cultural sites; and

     WHEREAS, the high level of activity at the Kailua Pier has resulted in persistent challenges related to homelessness, including the frequent vandalism of public facilities, damage to restroom infrastructure, and unauthorized encampments, creating ongoing safety and sanitation concerns for residents and visitors; and

     WHEREAS, while maintenance of the Kailua Pier is essential for public safety, environmental protection, and the long-term benefit of the community, persistent vandalism and destruction of public restrooms and infrastructure have led to rising maintenance costs, disruptions to public access, and the need for continuous repairs by state and county agencies; and

     WHEREAS, the management and operations of Kailua Pier fall under the jurisdiction of multiple government agencies, including the Department of Land and Natural Resources, various departments of the County of Hawaiʻi such as Parks and Recreation and the Police Department as well as federal entities such as the United States Coast Guard; and

     WHEREAS, local nonprofit organizations, including Destination Kona Coast, play a crucial role in visitor education and greeting programs while serving as dedicated stewards of Kailua Pier, actively monitoring its operations, identifying facility concerns, and relaying issues to government officials in a timely manner; and

     WHEREAS, adopting an interjurisdictional approach to addressing challenges at Kailua Pier would enhance communication between pier users and government officials, while fostering coordinated oversight and effective management among responsible authorities; 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 Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to convene a Kailua Bay Advisory Working Group; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Kailua Bay Advisory Working Group is requested to:

     (1)  Provide a structured forum for state, county, and community stakeholders to collaborate on interjurisdictional issues affecting Kailua Pier;

     (2)  Identify and implement solutions to enhance safety for pier users, including swimmers, boaters, and visitors;

     (3)  Ensure that commercial, recreational, and cultural activities at the pier remain viable and beneficial to the West Hawaiʻi community;

     (4)  Monitor and advocate for necessary repairs, upgrades, and funding to maintain the pier's long-term sustainability;

     (5)  Address issues including water quality, marine life protection, and pollution affecting Kailua Pier and Kailua Bay;

     (6)  Offer policy and operational recommendations to improve pier management and operations;

     (7)  Serve as a liaison between government entities and the public, ensuring that community voices are heard and considered in decision-making;

     (8)  Track ongoing and emerging challenges, including homelessness, parking availability, and user conflicts, and propose collaborative solutions; and

     (9)  Convene on a monthly basis; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to include the following members in the working group:

     (1)  The Administrator of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation or the Administrator's designee, who shall serve as chairperson;

     (2)  The member of the Senate who represents the senatorial district in which the pier located;

     (3)  The member of the House of Representatives who represents the house district in which the pier is located;

     (4)  The member of the Hawaiʻi County Council who represents the council district in which the pier is located;

     (5)  The Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi, or the Mayor's designee;

     (6)  A representative of the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions;

     (7)  A representative of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority;

     (8)  The Chief of the Hawaiʻi Police Department, or the Chief's designee;

     (9)  A representative of the Kai ʻOpua Canoe Club to be invited by the chairperson;

    (10)  A representative of the Kai ʻEhitu Outrigger Team of Kailua-Kona to be invited by the chairperson;

    (11)  A representative of the Kailua Village Business Improvement District to be invited by the chairperson;

    (12)  A representative of the Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel to be invited by the chairperson;

    (13)  Two at-large members of the community appointed by the Senator representing the senatorial district in which the pier is located; and

    (14)  Two community at-large members of the community appointed by the Representative representing the house district in which the pier is located; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that beginning in 2025 and for three years thereafter, the Kailua Bay Advisory Group is requested to submit a quarterly report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Coordinator on Homelessness, Administrator of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi, Chairperson of the Hawaiʻi County Council, Chief of the Hawaiʻi Police Department, the Chairperson of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

Report Title: 

DLNR; DOBOR; Kailua Pier

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1919

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 191

       H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 191, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONVENE A KAILUA BAY ADVISORY WORKING GROUP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene a Kailua Bay Advisory Working Group.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from CARES.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

     Your Committee finds that Kailua Pier located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Island, and the surrounding area of Kailua Bay hold deep cultural and historical significance and serve as a key arrival point for cruise ships that bring thousands of visitors to West Hawaii annually, fostering both economic growth and cultural preservation.  Your Committee further finds that the high level of activity at Kailua Pier has resulted in persistent challenges related to homelessness, creating ongoing safety and sanitation concerns for users and visitors.  While maintenance of the facilities at Kailua Pier is necessary, the management and operations of Kailua Pier fall under the jurisdiction of several entities, including federal, state, county, and local nonprofit organizations.  Accordingly, this measure will foster coordinated management and effective oversight of Kailua Pier by establishing a Kailua Bay Advisory Working Group to adopt an interjurisdictional approach to address the challenges facing the maintenance of Kailua Pier and its facilities.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 191, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1814

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.C.R. No. 191

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 191, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONVENE A KAILUA BAY ADVISORY WORKING GROUP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene a Kailua Bay Advisory Working Group.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 191, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1693

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.C.R. No. 191

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 191 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONVENE A KAILUA BAY ADVISORY WORKING GROUP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene a Kailua Bay Advisory Working Group.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i; one member of the Hawai‘i County Council; Kailua Village Business Improvement District; Destination Kona Coast; Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club; and three individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee finds that the Kailua-Kona Wharf, commonly referred to as the Kailua Pier, provides significant economic, cultural, and historical benefits to West Hawai‘i.  Your Committee further finds that persistent vandalism and destruction of public facilities and infrastructure have led to rising maintenance costs, disruptions of public access, and the need for continuous repairs of Kailua Pier by state and county agencies.  Your Committee believes that establishing an interjurisdictional approach to address the challenges at Kailua Pier will enhance communication between pier users and government officials, allowing for more effective coordinated oversight and management of Kailua Pier.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the representative of the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions requested to serve on the working group is the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, or the Coordinator's designee;

     (2)  Requesting the working group to submit quarterly reports for two years, rather than three; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 191, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 191, H.D. 1.

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