SB 1146: UH; Ala Wai Canal; Debris Management; Water Quality; Positions; Appropriations

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE ALA WAI CANAL.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Ala Wai canal was built in the 1920s and is the largest artificial waterway in the State.  Floating debris in the canal has been a persistent problem, which severely harms recreational users and the State's aquatic habitats in nearshore waters.  In October 2024, heavy rain in the watershed area caused serious concerns for downstream tenants, including those at the Ala Wai small boat harbor.  The legislature recognizes that the division of boating and ocean recreation of the department of land and natural resources has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to collect and dispose of the floating debris at the Ala Wai small boat harbor.  However, more funding and assistance is needed to better manage floating debris in the Ala Wai canal.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the university of Hawaii to:

     (1)  Develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai watershed; and

     (2)  Establish two graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $425,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the sum of $150,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for:

     (1)  The development of an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai watershed;

     (2)  The university of Hawaii to establish two graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan;

     (3)  Partial summer overload support for faculty mentors providing oversight of the student project teams; and

     (4)  Other current expenses.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

UH; Ala Wai Canal; Debris Management; Water Quality; Positions; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for the development of an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai watershed and establishment of two graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan.  (CD1)

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 THE ALA WAI CANAL.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Ala Wai canal was built in the 1920s and is the largest artificial waterway in the State.  Floating debris in the canal has been a persistent problem, which severely harms recreational users and the State's aquatic habitats in nearshore waters.  In October 2024, heavy rain in the watershed area caused serious concerns for downstream tenants, including those at the Ala Wai small boat harbor.  The legislature recognizes that the division of boating and ocean recreation management of the department of land and natural resources has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to collect and dispose of the floating debris at the Ala Wai small boat harbor.  However, more funding and assistance is needed to better manage floating debris in the Ala Wai canal.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the university of Hawaii to:

     (1)  Develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control issues in the Ala Wai watershed; and

     (2)  Establish two graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for:

     (1)  The development of an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai watershed;

     (2)  The university of Hawaii to establish two graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan; and

     (3)  Partial summer overload support for faculty mentors providing oversight of the student project teams.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

UH; Ala Wai Canal; Debris Management; Water Quality; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii to establish graduate assistant positions and for the development of an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai watershed.  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 THE ALA WAI CANAL.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Ala Wai canal was built in the 1920s and is the largest artificial waterway in the State.  Floating debris in the canal has been a persistent problem, which severely harms recreational users and the State's aquatic habitats in nearshore waters.  In October 2024, heavy rain in the watershed area caused serious concerns for downstream tenants, including those at the Ala Wai small boat harbor.  The legislature recognizes that the division of boating and ocean recreation management has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to collect and dispose of the floating debris at the Ala Wai small boat harbor.  However, more funding and assistance is needed to better manage the floating debris in the Ala Wai canal.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the university of Hawaii to:

     (1)  Develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept to help with debris management and water quality control issues in the Ala Wai watershed; and

     (2)  Establish two graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for:

     (1)  The development of an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai watershed;

     (2)  The university of Hawaii to establish two graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan; and

     (3)  Partial summer overload support for faculty mentors providing oversight of the student project teams.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 31, 2050.

Report Title:

UH; Ala Wai Canal; Debris Management; Water Quality; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for the development of an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai watershed.  Effective 7/31/2050.  (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 the ala wai canal.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Ala Wai canal was built in the 1920s and is the largest artificial waterway in the State.  Floating debris in the canal has been a persistent problem, which severely harms recreational users and the State's aquatic habitats in nearshore waters.  In October 2024, heavy rain in the watershed area caused serious concerns for downstream tenants, including those at the Ala Wai small boat harbor.  The legislature recognizes that the division of boating and ocean recreation management has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to collect and dispose of the floating debris at the Ala Wai small boat harbor.  However, more funding and assistance is needed to better manage the floating debris in the Ala Wai canal.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the university of Hawaii to:

     (1)  Develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept to help with debris management and water quality control issues in the Ala Wai watershed; and

     (2)  Establish two graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $125,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for:

     (1)  The development of an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai watershed;

     (2)  The university of Hawaii to establish two graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan; and

     (3)  Partial summer overload support for faculty mentors providing oversight of the student project teams.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

UH; Ala Wai Canal; Debris Management; Water Quality; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for the development of an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai watershed.

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

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 195

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2025

RE:    S.B. No. 1146

       S.D. 1

       H.D. 1

       C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir and Madam:

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 1146, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ALA WAI CANAL,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii to:

     (1)  Develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai watershed; and

     (2)  Establish two graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan.

     Your Committee on Conference finds that the Ala Wai watershed is an important natural resource enjoyed by residents and an asset for the State's economy.  However, intense rain and weather events further inland cause debris from streams and tributaries to wash into the canal.  This measure leverages the expertise available at the University of Hawaii to develop near- and long-term debris management and water quality solutions in the Ala Wai watershed.

     Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting appropriation amounts of $425,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $150,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for:

          (A)  The development of an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai watershed;

          (B)  The University of Hawaii to establish two graduate positions to assist with the action plan and pre‑engineering concept plan; and

          (C)  Partial summer overload support for faculty mentors providing oversight of the student project teams;

     (2)  Inserting language specifying that the amounts appropriated shall also be expended for other current expenses;

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2025; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1146, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1146, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1904

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.B. No. 1146

      S.D. 1

      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 S.B. No. 1146, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ALA WAI CANAL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii to develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai watershed, establish graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan, and provide partial summer overload support for faculty mentors.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Waikīkī Neighborhood Board; Waikīkī Beach Special Improvement District Association; Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition; and two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

     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 S.B. No. 1146, S.D. 1, 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.  1402

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.B. No. 1146

      S.D. 1

      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 S.B. No. 1146, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ALA WAI CANAL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawai‘i to:

     (1)  Develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control issues in the Ala Wai watershed;

     (2)  Establish two graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan; and

     (3)  Provide partial summer overload support for faculty mentors providing oversight of the student project teams.  

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Waikiki Neighborhood Board; Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association; and three individuals.  

     Your Committee finds that the Ala Wai watershed is a critical component of Hawaii's ecosystem and a natural resource that provides access and recreational opportunities for local residents and visitors.  Your Committee further finds that floating debris in the Ala Wai canal have been a persistent problem that severely harms recreational users and aquatic habitats in the State's nearshore waters.  The development of an action plan and pre-engineering concept to address debris accumulation and management and water quality in the Ala Wai canal is a vital step in protecting the State's natural resources.

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $125,000.

     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 S.B. No. 1146, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1214

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.B. No. 1146

      S.D. 1

      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 Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1146, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ALA WAI CANAL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii:

     (1)  For the development of an action plan and pre‑engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai watershed;

     (2)  To establish two graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan; and

     (3)  For partial summer overload support for faculty mentors providing oversight of the student project teams.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; University of Hawaiʻi System; Waikiki Neighborhood Board; Waikīkī Beach Special Improvement District Association; and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Ala Wai canal was built in the 1920s and is the largest artificial waterway in Hawaii.  Your Committee further finds that floating debris in the Ala Wai canal has been a persistent problem, severely harming recreational users and the Hawaii's aquatic habitats in nearshore waters.  This measure appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for the development of an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help address the debris accumulation and management in the Ala Waia watershed.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

     (2)  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 Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1146, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1146, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Water & Land.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1033

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1146

       S.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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1146, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ALA WAI CANAL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to address debris management and water quality control issues in the Ala Wai Canal by appropriating moneys for the University of Hawaii to develop action and pre-engineering concept plans and establish positions to assist with the plans.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii System, Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association, Waikiki Neighborhood Board, and three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that floating debris in the Ala Wai Canal, particularly after heavy rains, has been a persistent problem and poses significant risks to recreational users and aquatic habitats in nearshore waters.  Although the State has expended considerable money and effort to collect and dispose of floating debris at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, your Committee finds that effective management of the debris problem requires further funding.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1146, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 545

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1146

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Higher Education and Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 1146 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ALA WAI CANAL,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii to:

     (1)  Develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and quality control issues in the Ala Wai watershed; and

     (2)  Establish two graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaiʻi System, and numerous individuals.

Your Committees find that floating debris in the Ala Wai Canal has been a persistent problem, harming recreational users and the State's aquatic and nearshore habitats.  Your Committees further find that restoration efforts generally occur on the makai side of the Ala Wai Canal.  However, heavy rain events further inland cause debris from streams and tributaries to wash into the canal.  Your Committees also find that the University of Hawaii possesses the expertise to assist the Division of Ocean and Boating Recreation of the Department of Land and Natural Resources with debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai watershed.  This measure appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii to develop plans to holistically address the challenges facing the Ala Wai Canal and watershed.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of July 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1146, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1146, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Water and Land,