SCR 54: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONVENE AND PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE TO A DESALINATION PLANNING TASK FORCE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE USE OF DESALINATION FOR LARGE-SCALE WATER CONSUMPTION IN THE STATE IS FEASIBLE.

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONVENE AND PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE TO A DESALINATION PLANNING TASK FORCE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE USE OF DESALINATION FOR LARGE-SCALE WATER CONSUMPTION IN THE STATE IS FEASIBLE.

     WHEREAS, freshwater scarcity is an increasingly present threat to communities around the world in the face of population growth and climate change; and

     WHEREAS, freshwater is vital not only to the sustenance of life in the State, but also its economy and culture, including supporting agricultural production and tourism; and

     WHEREAS, islands like Oʻahu rely on underground aquifers for their freshwater supply; and

     WHEREAS, underground aquifers take decades to replenish naturally and are susceptible to chemical spills and leaks, droughts, and commercial overuse; and

     WHEREAS, a decrease of rainfall of eighteen percent over the last thirty years, a population that has doubled since 1959, constantly rising visitor levels, and the destruction of half of its watershed forests have contributed to a freshwater crisis in the State; and

     WHEREAS, desalination, the process of removing salt from seawater, offers a promising solution to the freshwater scarcity crisis; and

     WHEREAS, despite the abundance of seawater surrounding the State and need for an alternative source of freshwater, desalination can be cost-prohibitive and energy-intensive, necessitating a thorough examination of whether it is the solution best suited to the State's needs; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to convene and provide administrative assistance to a Desalination Planning Task Force to determine whether the use of desalination for large-scale water consumption in the State is feasible; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to consist of the following members:

     (1)  The Chairperson of the Commission on Water Resource Management or the Chairperson's designee, who shall serve as Chair of the Task Force;

     (2)  The Director of Health or the Director's designee;

     (3)  The Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture or the Chairperson's designee;

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

     (5)  The Chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Standing Committees with primary jurisdiction over water and land or their designees; and

     (6)  The Director or Manager and Chief Engineer of each county's Department or Board of Water Supply; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to:

     (1)  Conduct a study to determine the water demand for housing, agriculture, and industrial uses throughout the State, including in high-need areas;

     (2)  Examine the feasibility of using desalination as a source of clean and safe drinking water to supplement the State's existing groundwater and surface water resources;

     (3)  Determine the extent to which the use of desalination will:

(A)  Assist the State in meeting its projected future water needs; and

(B)  Improve the resiliency of the State's water systems, considering in particular the impacts of the water crisis caused by the contamination at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility;

     (4)  Determine whether it is feasible for the Commission on Water Resource Management to integrate desalination into its overall water management plans;

     (5)  Consider the extent to which the construction of desalination plants may affect or interfere with historical sites and Native Hawaiian cultural sites and practices, including burial sites; and

     (6)  Address environmental concerns associated with the operation of desalination plants, including high energy consumption and disposal of brine concentrate; 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 2027; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to dissolve on June 30, 2027; 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, Director of Health, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and Mayors of each county.

Report Title: 

DLNR; Desalination; Desalination Planning Task Force; Report

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Requesting the Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene and provide administrative assistance to a desalination planning task force TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE USE OF DESALINATION FOR LARGE-SCALE WATER CONSUMPTION IN THE STATE IS FEASIBLE.

     WHEREAS, freshwater scarcity is an increasingly present threat to communities around the world in the face of population growth and climate change; and

     WHEREAS, freshwater is vital not only to the sustenance of life in the State, but also its economy and culture, including supporting agricultural production and tourism; and

     WHEREAS, islands like Oʻahu rely on underground aquifers for their freshwater supply; and

     WHEREAS, underground aquifers take decades to replenish naturally and are susceptible to chemical spills and leaks, draughts, and commercial overuse; and

     WHEREAS, a decrease of rainfall of eighteen percent over the last thirty years, a population that has doubled since 1959, constantly rising visitor levels, and the destruction of half of its watershed forests have contributed to a freshwater crisis in the State; and

     WHEREAS, desalination, the process of removing salt from seawater, offers a promising solution to the freshwater scarcity crisis; and

     WHEREAS, despite the abundance of seawater surrounding the State and need for an alternative source of freshwater, desalination can be cost-prohibitive and energy-intensive, necessitating a thorough examination of whether it is the solution best suited to the State's needs; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to convene and provide administrative assistance to a Desalination Planning Task Force to determine whether the use of desalination for large-scale water consumption in the State is feasible; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to consist of the following members:

     (1)  The Chairperson of the Commission on Water Resource Management or the Chairperson's designee, who shall serve as Chair of the Task Force;

     (2)  The Director of Health or the Director's designee;

     (3)  The Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture or the Chairperson's designee;

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

     (5)  The Chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Standing Committees on Water and Land or their designees; and

     (6)  The Director or Manager and Chief Engineer of each county's Department or Board of Water Supply; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to:

     (1)  Conduct a study to determine the water demand for housing, agriculture, and industrial uses throughout the State, including in high-need areas;

     (2)  Examine the feasibility of using desalination as a source of clean and safe drinking water to supplement the State's existing groundwater and surface water resources;

     (3)  Determine the extent to which the use of desalination will:

(A)  Assist the State in meeting its projected future water needs; and

(B)  Improve the resiliency of the State's water systems, considering in particular the impacts of the water crisis caused by the contamination at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility;

     (4)  Determine whether it is feasible for the Commission on Water Resource Management to integrate desalination into its overall water management plans;

     (5)  Consider the extent to which the construction of desalination plants may affect or interfere with historical sites and Native Hawaiian cultural sites and practices, including burial sites; and

     (6)  Address environmental concerns associated with the operation of desalination plants, including high energy consumption and disposal of brine concentrate; 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 the Task Force is requested to dissolve on June 30, 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Director of Health, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and Mayors of each county.

Report Title: 

DLNR; Desalination; Desalination Planning Task Force; Report

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Requesting the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish a desalination planning task force TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE USE OF DESALINATION FOR LARGE-SCALE WATER CONSUMPTION IN THE STATE IS FEASIBLE.

     WHEREAS, freshwater scarcity is an increasingly present threat to communities around the world in the face of population growth and climate change; and

     WHEREAS, freshwater is vital not only to the sustenance of life in the State, but also its economy and culture, including supporting agricultural production and tourism; and

     WHEREAS, islands like Oʻahu rely on underground aquifers for their freshwater supply; and

     WHEREAS, underground aquifers take decades to replenish naturally and are susceptible to chemical spills and leaks, draughts, and commercial overuse; and

     WHEREAS, a decrease of rainfall of eighteen percent over the last thirty years, a population that has doubled since 1959, constantly rising visitor levels, and the destruction of half of its watershed forests have contributed to a freshwater crisis in the State; and

     WHEREAS, desalination, the process of removing salt from seawater, offers a promising solution to the freshwater scarcity crisis; and

     WHEREAS, despite the abundance of seawater surrounding the State and need for an alternative source of freshwater, desalination can be cost-prohibitive and energy-intensive, necessitating a thorough examination of whether it is the solution best suited to the State's needs; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to convene and provide administrative assistance to a Desalination Planning Task Force to determine whether the use of desalination for large-scale water consumption in the State is feasible; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to consist of the following members:

     (1)  The Chairperson of the Commission on Water Resource Management or the Chairperson's designee, who shall serve as Chair of the Task Force;

     (2)  The Director of Health or the Director's designee;

     (3)  The Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture or the Chairperson's designee;

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

     (5)  The Chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Standing Committees on Water and Land or their designees; and

     (6)  The Director or Manager and Chief Engineer of each county's Department or Board of Water Supply; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to:

     (1)  Conduct a study to determine the water demand for housing, agriculture, and industrial uses throughout the State, including in high-need areas;

     (2)  Examine the feasibility of using desalination as a source of clean and safe drinking water to supplement the State's existing groundwater and surface water resources;

     (3)  Determine the extent to which the use of desalination will:

(A)  Assist the State in meeting its projected future water needs; and

(B)  Improve the resiliency of the State's water systems, considering in particular the impacts of the water crisis caused by the contamination at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility;

     (4)  Determine whether it is feasible for the Commission on Water Resource Management to integrate desalination into its overall water management plans;

     (5)  Consider the extent to which the construction of desalination plants may affect or interfere with historical sites and Native Hawaiian cultural sites and practices, including burial sites; and

     (6)  Address environmental concerns associated with the operation of desalination plants, including high energy consumption and disposal of brine concentrate; 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 the Task Force is requested to dissolve on June 30, 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Director of Health, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and Mayors of each county.

Report Title: 

DLNR; Desalination; Desalination Planning Task Force; Report

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2133

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.C.R. No. 54

      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.C.R. No. 54, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONVENE AND PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE TO A DESALINATION PLANNING TASK FORCE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE USE OF DESALINATION FOR LARGE-SCALE WATER CONSUMPTION IN THE STATE IS FEASIBLE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene and provide administrative assistance to a Desalination Planning Task Force to determine whether the use of desalination for large-scale water consumption in the State is feasible.

     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 S.C.R. No. 54, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2087

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.C.R. No. 54

      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.C.R. No. 54, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONVENE AND PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE TO A DESALINATION PLANNING TASK FORCE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE USE OF DESALINATION FOR LARGE-SCALE WATER CONSUMPTION IN THE STATE IS FEASIBLE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene and provide administrative assistance to a Desalination Planning Task Force to determine whether the use of desalination for large-scale water consumption in the State is feasible.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and CARES Community Advocacy Research Education Services.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee finds that freshwater scarcity is an increasingly growing concern for the State as much of the State's freshwater supply comes from underground aquifers, which take decades to naturally replenish and are susceptible to chemical spills and leaks, droughts, and commercial overuse.  Your Committee further finds that although desalination is a promising solution to freshwater scarcity, the process may be too cost-prohibitive and energy-intensive to be feasible.  This measure would address the State's need for additional freshwater sources by determining the feasibility of using desalination for large-scale water consumption in the State.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requesting the Task Force to submit a final report no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2027, rather than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2026;

     (2)  Dissolving the Task Force on June 30, 2027, rather than June 30, 2026; 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 S.C.R. No. 54, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 54, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1428

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 54

       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 Water and Land, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 54 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ESTABLISH A DESALINATION PLANNING TASK FORCE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE USE OF DESALINATION FOR LARGE-SCALE WATER CONSUMPTION IN THE STATE IS FEASIBLE,"

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 and provide administrative assistance to a Desalination Planning Task Force to determine whether the use of desalination for large-scale water consumption in the State is feasible.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply.

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

Your Committee finds that freshwater scarcity is an increasingly present threat to communities around the world in the face of population growth and climate change.  Your Committee further finds that islands like Oahu rely on underground aquifers for their freshwater supply, which take decades to replenish naturally and are susceptible to chemical spills and leaks, droughts, and commercial overuse.  Your Committee further finds that desalination, the process of removing salt from seawater, offers a promising solution to the freshwater scarcity crisis.  This measure requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to determine the feasibility of desalination for water consumption.

     Your Committee notes the concern raised by the Department of Land and Natural Resources that the current level of staffing and resources at the Commission on Water Resources Management is not sufficient to complete the requested desalination study and provide a report to the Legislature twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026.  Therefore, your committee respectfully requests that subsequent committees to which this measure is referred consider delaying the report deadline to 2027.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by amending its title to better reflect its purpose.

     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 S.C.R. No. 54, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 54, S.D. 1.

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