HR 127: urging the city and county of honolulu to complete the planning and development of kalaeloa Regional Park.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

urging the city and county of honolulu to complete the planning and development of kalaeloa Regional Park.

     WHEREAS, on June 12, 2024, the U.S. Navy officially conveyed approximately 400 acres of property to the City and County of Honolulu for what is now known as the Kalaeloa Regional Park, located along Coral Sea Road in Ewa Beach; and

     WHEREAS, since then, the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation has appropriated $1.8 million to begin the development of a master plan for Kalaeloa Regional Park; and

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii Community Development Authority has created a draft Kalaeloa Master Plan, updated on July 31, 2025; and

     WHEREAS, the significant land conveyance presents a unique opportunity to develop a major recreational complex to serve the growing communities of Ewa Beach and West Oahu; and

     WHEREAS, over the past thirty years the Ewa region has grown dramatically and today represents one of the fastest growing areas in the State of Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, the Ewa community has expanded nearly fifteen times in population during the past three decades, while recreational infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with this growth; and

     WHEREAS, schools throughout the region are operating at or near capacity and the athletic fields are heavily overused by youth leagues, school programs, and community organizations seeking space for sports and physical activities; and

     WHEREAS, the Kalaeloa property offers a rare opportunity to address this growing demand; 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 City and County of Honolulu is urged to complete the planning and development of Kalaeloa Regional Park; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the City and County of Honolulu is urged to draft a comprehensive master plan for all 400 acres of the sports and recreation complex by 2027, while prioritizing an initial development phase of approximately 50 acres; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the City and County of Honolulu is urged to acquire joint financing through matching state funds for the planning and development of Kalaeloa Regional Park; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the City and County of Honolulu is urged to provide transparent public accounting for the use of the $1.8 million already appropriated to the Department of Parks and Recreation and any subsequent appropriations for the Kalaeloa Regional Park project, so that residents may track the progress in real time; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the initial development phase should include football and soccer fields, baseball and softball diamonds, recreational exercise areas, jogging paths, lighting, and supporting facilities that would immediately benefit youth and community sports programs in the region; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu and the Director of the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation.

Report Title: 

Kalaeloa Regional Park; Recreational Facilities; Plan; Development; Sports Complex; City and County of Honolulu