HCR 152: Requesting the hawaii state energy office to establish an offshore wind energy working group to develop a roadmap and recommendations regarding offshore wind energy development in hawaii.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Requesting the hawaii state energy office to establish an offshore wind energy working group to develop a roadmap and recommendations regarding offshore wind energy development in hawaii.

     WHEREAS, offshore wind power is in the early stages of development in the United States, with numerous state and federal offshore wind energy production targets already established for the coming years; and 

WHEREAS, offshore wind development is potentially a source of sustainable, cost-effective, clean power, it may also lead to environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic impacts for local communities; and

WHEREAS, following the establishment of the State's goal of achieving one hundred percent renewable energy by 2045, areas off the coast of O'ahu have been subject to unsolicited wind energy lease requests; and

WHEREAS, communities affected by these lease requests have often expressed strong concerns or outright opposition to offshore wind deployment; and

WHEREAS, as offshore wind energy grows in adoption and Hawaii considers possible developments in its waters, it is vital to balance the benefits of this energy source with infrastructure capacity and community sentiment; and

WHEREAS, this resolution reflects one of the final policy initiatives advanced by the late Representative Gene Ward, who passed away after more than thirty years of dedicated service to his community and the State of Hawai'i, during which time he worked tirelessly to represent his constituents and address issues affecting the future of the State; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, the Hawaii State Energy Office is requested to establish an Offshore Wind Energy Working Group to develop a roadmap and recommendations regarding offshore wind energy development in Hawaii; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Offshore Wind Energy Working Group shall convene to:

     (1)  Compile and review existing data related to offshore wind energy development;

     (2)  Engage community stakeholders in discussions regarding offshore wind development;

     (3)  Evaluate the suitability of offshore wind energy development in Hawaii;

     (4)  Develop recommendations regarding possible adjustments to the State's renewable energy goals; and

     (5)  Establish best practices to guide the State in evaluating and initiating offshore wind energy projects; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management within the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Governor, the Chief Energy Officer of the Hawai'i State Energy Office, the Chair of the Public Utilities Commission, the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Director of the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu.

Report Title: 

Offshore Wind Energy; Working Group; HSEO