HCR 19: DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF MARCH AS MARCH4WATER MONTH IN HAWAII.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF MARCH AS MARCH4WATER MONTH IN HAWAII.

     WHEREAS, water is an essential resource for sustaining life, promoting public health, and ensuring economic prosperity in Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, aging infrastructure for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater faces a national funding and upgrade gap of over $1,200,000,000,000 in the coming two decades, necessitating sustained investment to protect municipalities from environmental stresses; and

     WHEREAS, an estimated 2,200,000 Americans lack access to running water, indoor plumbing, or wastewater service, and as many as 12,100,000 to 19,200,000 households in the United States currently lack affordable access to water services, imposing a substantial burden on low-income families; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii employs approximately two thousand six hundred plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, representing a vital segment of the State's skilled workforce dedicated to maintaining the infrastructure necessary for clean water and sanitation; and

     WHEREAS, the month of March provides a unique opportunity to align local efforts with global movements, such as World Plumbing Day on March 11 and World Water Day on March 22, to highlight the sustainable management of freshwater resources worldwide; and

     WHEREAS, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials - the global authority responsible for the Uniform Plumbing Code, which serves as the basis for safe plumbing systems in Hawaii - established March4Water Month in 2023 to advocate for secure and sustainable water systems through technical standards and policy work and is preparing to mark its centennial in 2026; and

     WHEREAS, March4Water Month serves as a platform for communities to raise awareness about water conservation, access to safe drinking water, and the importance of investing in infrastructure; 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, that in partnership with the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and Plumbers and Fitters UA Local 675, March is designated as March4Water Month in Hawaii; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body encourages all Hawaii residents to participate in activities and programs that promote awareness, education, and actions prioritizing water as a vital resource for the State's future; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Director of Health; Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; Mayors of the counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai; Manager and Chief Engineer of the Board of Water Supply of the City and County of Honolulu; Director of the Department of Water Supply of the County of Maui; Manager-Chief Engineer of the Department of Water Supply of the County of Hawaii; and Manager and Chief Engineer of the Department of Water of the County of Kauai.

Report Title: 

March4Water Month; Designated

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

designating the month of march 2026 as march4water month in hawaii.

     WHEREAS, water is an essential resource for sustaining life, promoting public health, and ensuring economic prosperity in Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, aging infrastructure for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater faces a national funding and upgrade gap of over $1,200,000,000,000 in the coming two decades, necessitating sustained investment to protect municipalities from environmental stresses; and

     WHEREAS, an estimated 2,200,000 Americans lack access to running water, indoor plumbing, or wastewater service, and as many as 12,100,000 to 19,200,000 households in the United States currently lack affordable access to water services, imposing a substantial burden on low-income families; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii employs approximately 2,600 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, representing a vital segment of the State's skilled workforce dedicated to maintaining the infrastructure necessary for clean water and sanitation; and

     WHEREAS, the month of March provides a unique opportunity to align local efforts with global movements, such as World Plumbing Day on March 11 and World Water Day on March 22, to highlight the sustainable management of freshwater resources worldwide; and

     WHEREAS, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials - the global authority responsible for the Uniform Plumbing Code, which serves as the basis for safe plumbing systems in Hawaii - established March4Water Month in 2023 to advocate for secure and sustainable water systems through technical standards and policy work, and is preparing to mark its centennial in 2026; and

     WHEREAS, March4Water Month serves as a platform for communities to raise awareness about water conservation, access to safe drinking water, and the importance of investing in infrastructure; 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, that in partnership with the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and Plumbers and Fitters UA Local 675, March 2026 is designated as March4Water Month in Hawaii; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body encourages all Hawaii residents to participate in activities and programs that promote awareness, education, and actions prioritizing water as a vital resource for the State's future; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Director of Health; Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; Mayors of the Counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai; Manager and Chief Engineer of the Board of Water Supply of the City and County of Honolulu; Director of the Department of Water Supply of the County of Maui; Manager-Chief Engineer of the Department of Water Supply of the County of Hawaii; and Manager and Chief Engineer of the Department of Water of the County of Kauai.

Report Title: 

March4Water Month; Designated