House Standing Committee on Water & Land

Good morning. This is the committee on Waterland. We are in Room 411. Today is Thursday, 04/16/2026, and it's on the 09:00am agenda. I am gonna be running this hearing today, and I'm with the chair Hashem.

In order to allow as many people to testify as possible, there will be a two minute time limit. Because of this morning hearings and we have other things planned, we wanna finish as soon as we can. Otherwise, these measures will not move forward. For those on Zoom, please keep yourself muted and your video off while waiting to testify. And after your testimony is complete, shut it down.

The Zoom chat function doesn't allow you to chat with us, only with our tech staff. And if you're disconnected unexpected unexpectedly, you may attempt to rejoin. In the event of network failure, it may be necessary to reschedule the hearing or schedule no. Not cannot happen.

Yeah. It's dead.

It's too late. Okay. Please avoid using any trademarked or copyrighted images if you're using a Zoom background. So with that, we will begin. First up is SCR 55 supporting the findings and recommendations of the Hawaii Water Safety Coalition's Hawaii Water Safety Plan. First up, we have in person, Sarah Fairchild.

We're good. Yeah. Aloha, Kaffyaka.

My name is Sarah Fairchild. I'm the executive director of that rigor Duke Konomoku Foundation. And a big part of my job is, is talking about the legacy of our greatest watermen and water women, and the amazing skills they have in the ocean. And over time, it's become quite apparent to me that we're not transferring those skills to the next generation or even current generations of adults. We we know so many people that have, not learned to swim and aren't comfortable in the ocean.

And this isn't just a life saving life saving skill that's lost, but it's also a cultural connection. Because if you can't swim, if you're not comfortable in water, then you really can't have the full experience of the ocean, which is so important to so many cultures here. And the other thing I'd just like to make a point about is a lot of times the government has to run, investigative reporting and, and pay someone to do a deep report on how to attack a problem.

And thanks to many volunteers, we've, we've gotten that work done. We've consulted with national experts and local experts and the community of, of water safety advocates.

And we've gotten garnered support from lots of organizations as you see in the testimony from the DOE and the DOH. And so we're the work has been done to get this started. And I would just ask that the state stand behind that. Thank you.

Thank you. I will note that the Department of Education did submit comments supporting the intent and the Department of Health also supported this. Okay. Next up, I have, I'll take one here. How about Allison Shakers?

Our other folks are in a hearing for our lifeguard measure, and we're hoping they can get here in time. My name is Allison Shakers. I am a bereaved parent volunteer with the the Hawaii Water Safety Coalition, now a program of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, and I'm the lead writer of the Hawaii Water Safety Plan. I strongly support a Senate concurrent Resolution 55. The plan was developed by a statewide coalition of more than 200 partners, government agencies, lifeguards, first responders, medical professionals, researchers, nonprofits, and cultural leaders.

Much of the data in

the plan is from the Hawaii Department of Health. I donated my pressure my professional writing and project management skills to turn their expertise and data into a clear, actionable, and culturally grounded plan. Hawaii is only the second state in the nation with a comprehensive statewide water safety plan, and it

was recognized nationally by Safe Roads Worldwide with the kids champion award. This work is urgent. Hawaii is the second highest drowning rate in the country. Drowning is the leading cause of death for Hawaii's children ages one to 15, and it's the leading injury related killer of our visitors. It's also not equitable.

Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are drowning at 1.5 times the rate of the general population, and their keiki are drowning at three times the rate. Much of the plan is trying to address those things and in fact, as a result of the plan, we had a CDC foundation grant and they're sending epidemiologists to study that very fact and try to figure out what we can do to to make a change. The economic cost of drowning is staggering.

The four hundred and seventy five drowning deaths in Hawaii between 2019 and 2023 alone, so very many people drowning, carried an estimated cost of nearly 4,750,000,000 according to the CDC. It's about $10,000,000 cost per drowning, and that is even before accounting for the lifelong cost of nonfatal drowning.

Those are often more expensive. I am here because the human costs are unbearable and prevention matters. In 2004, my five year old daughter, Charlotte, drowned in a flooded detention pond. Her death was preventable, and Sharkey's law was part of the recommendations that came out of this plan. These resolutions affirm drowning as a preventable public health crisis, advance equity, reduce long term costs, and save lives.

Legislative support is essential so that we can continue to get more support for the work that we do. Mahalo for your leadership.

Thank you. Is, Kristen Hermsstead here?

She's at the live hearing. I'm hoping they'll make it back.

I do have someone on Zoom, Jessamine Town Horner.

Hi. Hello. Yes. I'm here. Thank you.

Mahalo to you all for hearing this resolution and I've testified in various capacities over the years. I am here standing on my written testimony, but also just to be a face and a name to stand in for those that can't be here, and that would be all those that we have lost to drowning over the years, including my husband, Mark, my daughter, Mina, and thousands of others.

I'm also when I testify, I never quite know how the emotion's gonna hit, but it's a burden to be a bereaved family advocate, and this is the time to take now almost ten years of coalition building and advocacy and make this a policy level resolution so that we can move into statewide implementation. And we are working with the experts. In a couple of weeks, we're having the CDC Foundation and the leading health scientist in the nation on drowning prevention coming to Hawaii to meet with leadership.

And that is a result of the data and the plan that we put together. So we have really amazing momentum and I appreciate all of the fellow advocates, the legislators, state leadership, county leadership and nonprofits that have been part of this. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay. I I know Kalani is not here also, but they were supposedly gonna testify in person. There are more than 15 other individuals in support. Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association is also in support.

Is there anyone here in the room that wants to testify on this measure? Okay. Seeing no others. Members, are there questions? Yes.

Sure. You mentioned 10,000,000 cost per the. Is that correct?

Go ahead, missus.

Yes.

And I'll stop by that number.

So it includes the statistical value of a life, the, rescue and the medical cost. Drowning isn't cheap. Unfortunately,

I mean, I don't think so, really. I mean, if you ask me, it's more than 10,000,000. I lost that life. I mean, I lost my daughter and that is never, there's no one at a dollar figure that would ever compensate or bring her back. But yeah, it really is astounding and non fatal drownings often, they go into the 20 millions or or better in terms of settlements and things like that.

I've even seen $100,000,000 settlements. But there's a drowning that didn't even really include the legal costs when there's lawsuits, and often there are. I met at the National Drowning Prevention Alliance

Can you come up to the floor? Oh, sure. This no. The camera's

I'm so sorry. So I actually was invited to speak on four panels at the National Drowning Prevention Alliance conference this year. And and one of the panels, there was Michael Haggart with the Michael Haggart law firm, and he's the premier premier lawyer for drownings in the nation. And most of his settlements now have been in the neighborhood of $15,000,000.01 for very similar to the situation with my daughter, a three year old drowned in a flooded and improperly unfenced detention pond.

I'm sorry to interrupt you, but so that 10,000,000 is is that average? Because

That's the average cost in Hawaii for the statistical value of a life. If you go to the CDC whiskers table, you can input the the the actual fatality and drowning, and then you can take a look at the numbers that it spits out. And it does it state by state. Our costs actually in Hawaii aren't the highest for some reason on drownings. Some states are even worse.

I I I think probably because, you know, some of the wages and salaries here aren't as high when it comes into medical and those kinds of rescues and materials, but we're close. We're kind of close to the top.

Thank you. Any other questions? Okay. Members, let's move on to SCR 181, urging the County Of Maui to adopt ordinances that established Wildland Urban Interface Safety Standards for Plantation Towns and other high risk communities taking into account the County Of Kauai's ordinance number PM 2025425, relating to the Plantation Camp District Wildfire and Wildland Urban Interface, another State and National Wildland Urban Interface best practices.

We only have one individual in support, Karen Oshiro, and no one else said they would be here. Anyone wanted to testify on this measure?

Seeing no others members, let's move on.

We are now on SCR 20 SD1, strongly supporting the County of Hawaii's efforts to develop a Kealakehe Regional Park.

First up with this one, I have in person DLNR, Charles Taylor, designee.

And you're saying this is SCR 20?

I'm sorry. Jeff yes. I skipped. SCR 20 individual. No one is here, but Kirk Shorty is us supporting this measure.

Jeff Tumetto. You might know him. He supports this measure. Anyone else wanting to testify on SCR 20? Come on up.

Aloha. Good morning, vice chair, and members of the committee. My name is Craig Kahui. I'm from the Big Island. And on behalf of West Hawaii Parks and Athletic Corporation at 501C3, a corporation established for the purposes of helping the county develop this regional park.

There was a need. There's a great need for regional parks. Our antiquated airport facility at old age, they call it old age. It's just it's outdated everything. In 2009, seventeen years ago, we started a master plan with the county.

And out of that, evolved the need for this park. Members of the community petitioned the county, and we were then established at that time, almost seventeen years ago. We've been waiting now for a long time for a regional park, a park that's comprehensive that can be a real economic driver for our community. I wanna point out that this park is established in the surrounding areas where Hawaii Housing Finance Development Corporation has at least a thousand rental units that may that is planned in the region.

And then Hawaiian Homes Development, which took on the villages of La‘i‘ōpua of 14 villages are now embarking on developing 500 units there.

A total of 800 units in that region. So the the growth is going pretty quick. Thank you for your time.

What was your name again?

My name is Bo Kahui.

Okay. So is this, I'm sorry. Wait. Stay right there. Anyone else want to testify on this?

Seeing no other? I just want to Kealakehe is where?

Kealakehe, if you've been to Kona

Kona

It's right across it's right there by the harbor. You know, the

So but there's another big park there, ball fields.

It's designated as a regional park.

It's a 190 acre regional park designated set aside for the purposes of two things. One was to take and assist the county with its our R1 water, the sewer treatment plant water that was supposed to be reused for the purposes of these fields. And then second, you know, just to meet the needs of the community.

Okay.

Sure. And I just went there a couple of days ago for the senior softball team. So it is huge for Kona. Yeah. Thank you.

Anyone else have a question? Go ahead.

Thank you so much for coming over and sharing this with us. So it seems like there's a lot of frustration that came to you for not for just not moving forward after all this work is done. I noticed that the resolution urges, I guess, the proponents of the park development to ask for state grants. If so I'm debating if I sign on to this, does that mean I'm committing to supporting brands for this effort?

Because my philosophy is that a lot of times, the counties aren't doing enough to raise revenue to do what they should be doing.

Like, this should fall under the county council and the mayor. And so I'm like, do I sign on to this and support this? Or does that mean I'm committing to supporting the grant made for this project? Or will it will it be you know, in the meanwhile, it may seem like disingenuous.

If I may respond to your question. We haven't pursued any GI days over the years because the county haven't been really prepared to move this initiative forward. At Pohom Manawa, we say waste time. Pohom Manawa, if we went to go get these grants and then it cannot be utilized for the purposes of its end goal. So, yeah, we could have got some planning money.

Yeah, we can go and do this. But really, the responsibility lies with the counties. In our partnership, though, we did tell the county we would help raise public funds and federal funds as a nonprofit to bring to the table development funds that would bring this to fruition. But I think the state would could send a good message, I think, to the partners, both at the county and federal level that we could improve this initiative for.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That's what this is doing. Thank you. Any other questions, members? Okay. Thank you.

Thank you for coming in.

Yeah. I take my other hat off. I was requested to testify on another organization.

Oh, for the same one?

Yeah.

We're over a testimony, but I'll let you go ahead

Oh, okay.

Since you were the only one.

Well, thank you again. My name is Bo Kahui, and I am the Executive Director, President, interim president for Laiopua Community Development Corporation, which is a native owned beneficiary held nonprofit corporation for the purposes of creating community economic development in Kona. So we see this regional park as a real opportunity both for the state and county.

When you look at the opportunities for creating a real good strong tax base, currently, we had supported over the last four years, Laiopua Community Development Corporation has helped West Hawaii Parks and Athletic Corporation in doing its annual senior softball mayor's cup tournament. Now we might think, oh, wow.

I was, I was thinking.

Okay. So the senior softball, we played at this old fields at old days. And the fields are, you know, when you look at the master plan that we have prepared years ago, it's really is comprehensive. Yeah. I think six or seven fields, seven baseball field for kids and adults alike.

But the point is is that we had, I think, seven or eight teams coming from the Mainland. All of whom had to stay at hotel. All of whom had to go eat someplace. All of whom went to the Luau's. All of whom did all that stuff.

So when you talk about the real caveat under underlying this development, there's a real rich opportunity, I think, for the state and the county to move this initiative forward. So with that said, on behalf of, Riot Pool Community Development Corporation, and the fact that Hawaiian Homes is right there, because we serve that, that's our constituents, you know, in providing community economic. We seek your support. Thank you.

Thank you, mister Kugui. Okay. Members, let's move on to SCI thirty two requesting the establishment of a marine life conservation district carrying capacity study task force to develop a statewide implementation plan. This first up, we have DLNR Charles Taylor.

Aloha chair, vice chair, committee members. Charlie Taylor on behalf of DLNR's division of aquatic resources. We stand on our written testimony in support of this resolution and are and are available for any questions.

Thank you. Okay. I don't show anyone else that said they'd be present to testify, but I have Ted Bolen, Hawaii Reap Association in support, Denise Antonini, Diane Ware, Uylani Naidpo in support. Anyone else in the room wanting to testify on this measure? Anyone Zoom? No Zoom? Members, any questions? The DNNR? Okay.

Human use threshold is determined? Like, how would we come up with a number acceptable per day or something like that? Well, so that would be based on implementing these studies or, you know, going through these these going into these capacity studies, are you and then eventually, we would come up with some sort of number, like, in theory. Now are you asking, like, how do we implement this now? Or because currently, we we don't really yet.

I'm just wondering how you do it. What I'm hearing, it's a internal in house thing thing or is there other cases that are already doing that or are there apps or whatever it is to be, for breaks on people's lives. That's my definition of it.

Yeah. That's a good question. At the beginning of this session, we had just finished up our curing capacity studies for Pupukea and, and, and for Hanauma Bay, which we submitted to the ledge, at the beginning of the session. It's a lengthy document. I don't want to I can't really accurately summarize all the findings because there are a lot of different things in that.

But they came up with metrics on how you could maybe measure how much human use or how much an area can take. Right? And they provided recommendations on numbers. I don't really have I don't know how they got to those numbers or determine that. I apologize.

Like, how they got to a certain threshold number. I personally am not a biologist or a scientist. Aye, deal with a different aspect of the of the division, but they came up with it somehow. It's probably in that report. And I apologize.

You mean the

No. It would it is our division. I just mean, they as in our, biologists or our monitoring team.

So this is the part that was done that's doing what this is asking?

You this what this is basically asking for is what it sounds like to me is asking for us to come up with a statewide plan that hits all the different MLCDs. Originally, we were just tasked with two, I believe, in 2022, which was Hanauma Bay and, Pupukea. So this would expand that effort. Sure.

And it should should be online and because I remember I physically mailed all these out into at in January to all the places it was supposed to go. So it's out there, but I would be happy to send you a a copy of the committee.

Sure. Any follow-up questions? Sure.

Yeah. Go ahead.

So I don't know if you know his answer, but it it's a result and it gives a number, I guess. Right? So if we get that Max, what what happens? How do how do we need to protect the

It's a very good question. I mean, I think that's kind of my understanding is that's kind of what this task force is supposed to determine. Like, what would be the methods? What kind of ways would this be through a new rules package of some sort or, you know, amending, each one of these MLCDs has a a corresponding rule and the and the HAR, would it be amendments of that rule?

And we I I don't have a good answer because I'm not again, like, so if we're we as the division of aquatics, do we even have the authority to limit entry, or would that be would we have to work in conjunction with a different division of DLNR?

And I don't have that exact answer, but I think that's what the task force is trying to come up with. Is that Sorry.

I didn't put you on.

No. It's okay. It's a great question.

Alright. Thank you, chair. Well, hey, back there. Thank you, chair. During COVID and of the shutdown of tourism, were was were you able to collect data on what the marine life was like when there was, like, almost no tourists or bodies entering the water for an extended period of time. It was as as baseline data?

Yes. Yeah. So, and again, not being a biologist, I wasn't personally involved in these, but I do know that our team took advantage of that time. And I can't give you exact numbers, but I do remember there was a very a very telling survey that we did around Molokini during that shutdown because normally we have a lot of commercial charters that go into that area. So we actually at that point, it pretty much shut down.

And they besides seeing, you know, a good abundance of fish, they saw schools of certain fish that they had not seen in, like, fifty years or or ever. I mean, it was really interesting kind of thing. Like, it actually shocked the biologists. They had never seen, the certain species of, you know, schooling could, like, actually come right in. And so we're not really sure had, you know, is this historical?

Did they always do this and they not they had, you know, that's the conclusion. You think they're not because of all the tourists, but we just don't know. This is new information to us. So, yeah, we are we did take advantage of that, but I I'm not sure exactly where they surveyed during that time, and I can get that information to you if you I'm just wondering if There was a difference.

It will actually then it'll provide data points for this plan.

That's right. Yeah. Exactly. It's a good reference for us to use.

Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. SCR 19 SD 1 requesting the Division of Aquatic Resources to collaborate with the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to develop and propose a framework for student choral stewardship program. First up, we have the Department of Education. They said they would be here, but they are not as usual.

Good comments. Charles Taylor, DLNR.

Chair, vice chair, committee members. Charlie Taylor, DLNR, Division of Aquatic Resources. We send our written comments, our written comments, appreciating the intent and just providing a few proposed amendments for your consideration and are happy to answer any questions.

Thank you. Okay. That's all I have. Anyone else wanting to just testify on this measure? seeing no others.

Questions, members. I have a question. Was this amendment proposed earlier?

Yes. So this resolution is kind of interesting because it's been there are two versions. It's been bouncing around. It's been proposed in this form. It's also been amended to our recommendations and then proposed that way.

Then it looks like it got re amended back this it's kinda been going back and forth. And, basically, it what it looks like is happening is both DOE and DLNR, we both support the intent of this measure, absolutely. And I think and we both want to work together and collaborate together.

There are certain reporting requirements, which basically our stance right now, it's it's not that we're trying to shirk the work or anything, but we basically have four, we have we have an education specialist on in each county. So we basically have four people.

And they have small teams, but we're out there a lot doing this anyway. And but in terms of those four people, it's just they're out all the time and we don't really know if there's certain aspects of the reporting that we were hoping they wouldn't have to take on this additional burden, especially without additional funding. So certain things about or we thought maybe it would be more appropriate for DOE, such as surveying students.

Like, do the students have a, are they having a good time? Are they learning?

This is stuff we're interested in. We want them to be learning and having a good time, but we're not sure if we're the correct division to be writing up a report for the ledge for this particular thing as opposed, you know, to the last measure where we we definitely want to do that with curing capacity studies or something like that. So that's really our only we do support this initiative.

It's just the report part that you're not comfortable with.

Correct.

As you know, this is just a res, so we'll see where that goes. I don't see any harm in this. Okay.

Thank you. Yes. Go ahead.

I understand the amendment that you're proposing and mention that you had discussions with DOE. So the question is [Inaudible]...

Yeah. I personally have not, have not spoken to anyone to you besides just in these hearings where, you know, just respectfully disagree. But, you know, it but it's very civil. And I to put this if there's someone in my in the division who has spoken to DOE, like, above my head, maybe they have been talking about that. I don't know though, because it just seems like we're both just kind of supportive, but, yeah, we haven't really

You've got your hands full. Right?

Yeah. We haven't had a substantive discussion on this, like, in that sense. But I have been reading their testimony and understand where they're coming from as well.

Thank you. Thank you, sir.

Okay. Thank you. Yes, Rep. Poepoe

[Inaudible]...

Yes.

Yes. Somewhat. Somewhat. And it will it's it's all grade dependent, school dependent.

As an example, we don't really have a program where we're going where we're, you know, specifically going we have to hit all these schools and do all this stuff. What usually happens, we'll have other educate community education events. Often teachers will approach us and go, hey, couldn't this is a great presentation. Can you come to our class? Absolutely.

We would love to do that. It's usually like that and that's, often or there there will be requests sent to us to come do that. Now if those if that's a kindergarten class or first, second grade, we're gonna have a very different presentation, you know, compared to a high school high school class. So and I I can't speak for each island and what they do in their presentations.

But I would imagine these are generally tailored to be either a couple hours to no longer than a day of work or of instruction.

And that's why well, while we do have, I guess, you could say a a curriculum we we have we have, like, a lesson plan, I suppose. Yeah. Now in terms of a curriculum, I guess when I hear that, I'm thinking it's just, like, something a semester long or it's something that, you know, like a syllabus or something.

To support, I guess, yeah. So

Yes. Correct. Yeah. I'm not sure how formalized that is, but it is yeah. We do

And it's available.

It is available. Correct.

K. Thank you.

Thank you. K. Anyone else? Alright. Let's move on.

We are SCR58ST1, urgent division of boating and ocean ocean recreation of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop a progressive enforcement framework for parking violations in parking lots under the jurisdiction, ensure proper use of parking areas by intended users, and improve the prevalence and clarity of signage regarding parking regulations, fees, and penalties. K. First up, we have well, DLNR is not here, but they have comments. I'll serve parking coalition, Kate Thompson.

Hello, chair, vice chair, and committee members. I'm glad to be back here with you. And this is a bill different bill.

We had a house bill 2375 about statewide Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and And I would like to say that we desperately need an HD one, and I've included this in my testimony.

And the reason why is because the SD one is pretty much saying they should go ahead, deal in our Dilbar, and buy this and release this electric I don't know if it's electric car, but it's a car that has cameras on it.

And it will go around and read the license plates, And then they wanna give two warnings, but there's actually five ways to get towed in the harbor. So I don't know if it's gonna recycle every January. You get a clear slate or the warnings are gonna be you get one warning and then two hours later, you get another warning, and then they tow your car. But there will be no citations.

Again, we're gonna use high-tech for high tow unless we get a HD one on this and ask them to do as the ledge gave them permission to do in 2022, which is to have an amendment, which is that, that they can they can move from normal bidding to, bike parks and rec.

Excuse me. I love Allison. She interviewed me before, but I can hear you. Sorry. Okay.

So so the thing is with this HD one that we're asking for is we're asking the legislature to pretty much tell billboard deal and our that they have to come up with the fee like the park does. If they're gonna go ahead and and use the advantages effect one sixty three to to make their own contracts, and they should be public protective in those. And I have some very important signs to show you.

This is how people are getting towed because they're looking at a sign like this and they don't realize the signage is pretty bad. And park it says parking closed 10:30PM to 04:30am and a six hour tow away zone.

And we asked them to just make I made a metal sign for them and everything. This is four years ago to add to that sign that says no parking 10:30 to four because there's a big amount of parking that towing that happens at 10:30 every night because the signage isn't that good. And also at that time, this is, like, October 2021. It made a whole book for them how to improve the signage.

And in relation to the vision document, everything, and how to make all the new signs, different cases, how the people are having problems, what kind of sign would help them, and none of this was utilized.

And we've also spent two years at the Board of Land and Natural Resources since this move. These contracts moved from the ledge to the board and the board has been not deep. They have not done they have not asked for towing records except once and we found out there were 1,500 tows. But I found out that because they're considering meter overstays as unauthorized vehicles, they can tow them as a trespass tow, and they're towing them within seven minutes. And how are they doing this?

They're getting the information directly from Secure Parking LLC by a tablet, by data from the cloud. They give it to the tow truck. And because it's my license plate, they can say, oh, go get that Toyota 2002 it's blue. And they do, and they tell, and it's $165 And finally, I got the statistics after three years of looking, I guess what happened the last four years, 9323 cars have been towed from this one harbor, and this is also going on in Maui.

And how many tickets were given?

34 tickets. That's it. And the testimony from DLNR basically has inconsistencies, which is essentially almost lies. They said that they have to give a $100 ticket, which is not true. If you look at the law, it says the penalty cannot exceed $100.

It doesn't say they have to give a $100 ticket. It's asking for for a starting point of a normal citation. If they wanna use act one sixty three, they should do the right thing and do it like the Honolulu Zoo. The signage is really bad, and they even have their name as Doe Bar, b a r, which is not even the name of the division.

And and the sign is occluding another sign, and it has to be two inches tall for the warning that your car's gonna be towed, but it's two inches and really skinny, so you can barely even read the thing.

And then it says, this is public parking and this is permit parking. There's no ground signage, restricted ground signage permanently. So people are paying to park, parking in the boat and parking and getting towed. And that's like a lot of old people that are visiting chart house and stuff. And then this is the kind of signs, this little teeny print of all the rules and how you're becoming an authorized partner.

We paid the voters paid for these kiosks, and we're gonna pay for the car. So Senate said, yes, we want you to buy this fancy car, lease this car 180,000 a year. We have a three year contract with secure parking, which we fought all the way in the board. And so we have this three year contract. What is that?

Half $1,000,000 and they wouldn't even give me $1,500 to make new signs. And that's $1,500 worth of towing every day. So we pay for these. The voters are going to pay for this car based on the Senate resolution. And if you folks don't do another one for us, amendment saying, please use the rights you have under equity 63 to give to let secure parking that's gonna be totally set up to give these violations on the car.

Let them charge $35 in a DOCARE. They can't What I'm saying is that DLNR doe Bart can't say we don't have the capacity. We don't want to use twenty twenty two. Suzanne Case said, we only want to use DOCARE officers. And that's how they got act 163, but they don't, now they say they don't want to use DOCARE officers to give any tickets.

And now then they say, well, no. So the Senate says, we want you to deputize someone. Well, they already had deputizing. They had deputizing Harbor agents, but Suzanne Case pulled that back. She pulled it back because the lawsuits that were found to be arbitrary and giving tickets And they're busy.

And I'm sorry. I just want to say that tickets should be $35 We've

heard this before. Thank you

very much. I'm so sorry to go on. And I appreciate this is sort of a

I understand your passion. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Okay.

Yeah. I don't have anyone else signed up in to be here in person. Is there anyone in the room that wants to testify on this? In case you know others, members questions?

Question for Anas Thompson. Thank you. And it's I think yeah. And I just wanna say that I appreciate your not just your passion, but I appreciate you alerting it to us to the economic injustice of of this situation. You submitted testimony or raised concerns before the board planned and met with resources on this issue.

Yes. So it moved in 2022 to the board. And like we talked about in another meeting when you said the siblings of the of the ad and library should get together, and I said that DLNR is the liberal parent. So they are they get a huge jack of things. They gotta read in an hour, and they're like, we don't wanna put up with those 20 people in their red t shirts that say, and instant towing and all that.

So we've done case we've done we filed at least seven requests for contested case hearings based on the decision. And our main focus was you have to decide this decision thing before you get these people through your direct issuance contracts where Secure Parking is making over 300,000 a year. Now they're gonna make 180,000 on a car, and the tow company is making just in our parking lot alone $430,000 a year. And they have in their contract, they have all the harbors on Oahu.

And even worse, Secure Parking has been allowed to make a direct contract with Beach Country Towing on Maui and Maitreya.

So they have the tablet. The meter expires. They tow that car. They're doing really naughty things like moving the car to a parking ride, and then another tow truck come fix it up. And the fee there is $225.

So we need your help. We need this amendment. Thank you. Can you explain that parking right there? Well, you know, it's rumors, but, what's happening is Beach Country Towing.

I was there. So a report that I got that there was no towing in March 2025, I was physically there taking a ferry over to Lanai, and I witnessed because I parked my car there too. Right? I witnessed four cars towed in one hour. So they have two trucks come, and they were doing all kinds of antics with like two by fours and stuff to get these cars extracted from the parking lot.

But they're taking them. The rumor is that I don't have pictures or anything is they're taking these cars they've towed to a park, a public park and ride and some different tow trucks come so they can be more efficient towing in to another spot.

Go ahead.

Because, you know, hire somebody, third party, like, contract out some of this.

The ticketing aspect? Yes. Well, the that they're saying that they're they woke, you know, they complained they didn't have enough deal care officers. And and and scenario, you know, you have a whole lot of money to get deal care officers and four four by fours and they ship $75,000 trucks that they keep at our dilapidated full fuel dock that hasn't worked in sixteen years since we come at DOCARE Station, by the way.

But they have the resources, but they don't wanna use the people in that way because we were so the workers are parking in the surfer parking in the morning, and the morning, sir, people don't have any place to park in.

They're parking there all day, and it's supposed to be six hour rec parking. So what they're trying to you know, what we were saying is, well, just still there still care. Officers came every once in a while, mark them in the morning with, like, chalk, come back in the afternoon, give a few $35 tickets. It would get better. But they're doing no enforcement, training this vacuum so that they can make us lease a $180,000 a year camera car that's gonna tow the workers.

We're talking about transparency, accountability, and account you know, affordability. Is this affordable for those construction workers to illegally park? Okay. They're illegally parking, but should they get a $165 tow?

So if DLNR is not handling things as well as they could, improvement. So we're actually asking the the people who are not doing the what we want them to do to get better and trusting that they will do it. So I'm not sure

if that's gonna be

Well, the well, okay. So you folks you folks gave the board the lean your parent job, and they gave it away again. And I don't even know if you know that. They said that we want only the deal in our chair to amend all of these contracts with towing companies and parking can sound one person, which is now the acting. Deal in our chair, Ryan Kanakaole.

So he this is basically your amendment is to say, look, you have every right to do what Pro Park does at the zoo and what city and county has done at that huge Honolulu Zoo parking lot, which is they're given $20 ticket. They give text message or your things expiring. You wanna come pay or pay pay online and up your thing. I mean, they're doing a lot of due process.

I have a last question. Sure. So I know you have another field that's

It died at where I am and not. And the Senator there may own a tow yard by party.

not being

That can improve this, address and improve this problem. This is the only vehicle right now that can address this

Yeah. So it's the only problem that that and I've been working on this for four years and 9,000 people have been towed. Is this really how you wanna treat the people of Hawaii? This is your chance. Thank you.

Reps, thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, chair.

Okay. Any other questions? Go ahead.

The same people getting towed.

I've heard some stories when, like, local kid told me he got towed four times or five times, but most people only get towed once. And at one point, chair Mark Morawaki said, oh, yeah. Well, they we have this new system, and it's been in place for a year, so people should know what's going on. Oh, my first new people every day. And did you know the Hilton turns $85 a a day to park your car overnight?

So the people are parking in our parking for a dollar an hour. So there also needs to be a comma in a rate to solve some of the background problem. But I don't think that the repeat thing is that much issue. I think it's mostly individuals. I would say 90% is a one time thing.

You know, it's like people we we press on these things and then somebody pops out and says, well, it's used to belong to Department of Transportation. We're thinking about moving the harvest Department of Transportation. We're like, you know, threaten us with a good time. We're ready. We're ready to be done with.

They wanna work on boating. They wanna work on swimming. They wanna work on these other things, but they are not that interested. They don't have the I think what something like a public private partnership could happen, and it would happen better under DOT. And just real quick, there's been a lot of bankruptcies with people working with Ober.

Okay. Chair, Tim.

Thank you, chair. You mentioned there's did you draft HD one language?

Yes. In your in the testimony can I read it? Would you honor me with a little bit of reading it too?

Because it wasn't, was it? Because you've worked with It

says, let it be further recognized that the chairperson of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is encouraged

board to amend the concession contracts because now they have power through the board to amend the contract as needed to establish a citation based or a parking fee like ProPark at the zoo enforcement system by authorizing parking management concessionaire to issue parking fines or penalties for minor parking violations as part of a progressive enforcement framework, which is the bill that Moriwaki that the Senate resolution that you're seeing before you is asking for progressive enforcement.

to amend the parking concession contracts, because now they have power through the

With fines, it's set at affordable amounts consistent with and comparable to the $35 ticket that I was showing you, the actual ticket book for DLNR for for DOCARE. And actually I should say HPD not DLNR, HPD traffic violation penalty, which is for expired meter in my testimony, you'll see it's $35 for a meter overstay, the wrong stall. Like, let's say they pay in parking and boater parking is $40 and they're expired to

the city. Language. And I guess, like, you mentioned that it died in WAM. Yes. This Senate resolution did not go through WAM.

Yes.

So it's going to finance. It'll be on your side, and I think they'll be supportive because this is not affordable for residents in Hawaii.

I just

It's not. Thank you.

Any other questions about more comments? Thank you so much for hearing this and giving me more time. And I really appreciate it. And I'd like to just bring attention to this table because it shows like, what is in the testimony you just read today and what's not true about it. Thank you for reading this table.

And I will say that your public testimony is there for the record, but I am not inclined to do too many amendments because that jeopardizes the whole resolution.

I understand. I think it's a pretty simple one, just to ask the chair to work on a part of the progressive fee is a lower cost first citation. Chair, do you

mind explaining what I I know we discussed the Senate that I hear. But do do you mind explaining for what happens when we amend it?

It has to go back to the Senate.

Yeah. And do you think the Senate is gonna just slash the things we send back to them? Is that the I

don't know what they're gonna do. Right?

Yeah. It may die.

The reso as is is easy to pass on our side.

If you pass it as is, it goes straight.

It it gets adopted. You have to say once we adopt it in the version, if we keep it intact, then it gets then it's adopted. Period. If you tweak it, you send it to the Senate, they have the opportunity to adopt it or not adopt it. So they have the opportunity to kill it.

Yes. So that's the right I'll

I'll let you know.

Just what a Senate resolution is though. If the Senate resolution's already passed, So as you see it now, it's already passed.

And that's what they're saying. They're saying we send it with your amendment.

I'm worth the risk. It's worth

the risk to me to amend it. If it dies, at least we have a public record.

Thank you. I think we'll have to do that. Thank you. Let's move on, members. We have another hearing scheduled 09:45, which he passed already.

We are now on SCR 100, SD one, convening a working group to establish a nonprofit organization recognized by the state to support sanctuaries and other con conservation related initiatives for endangered and other species. First up, we have DLNR. Jason, are you Jason?

Yes. Jason Olmick, division of Forestry and Wildlife. Here on behalf of the chair, everyone. We stand by our written testimony in support of this measure, and I'm here if you guys have any questions.

Thank you. I don't have anyone else registered to testify. Members, any questions? I have one question for you. I I don't wanna put anything into the vessel, but I want to know if DLNR would provide administrative support to the working group, including preparing and drafting the two reports that I just sent in this.

Oh, yeah. I don't think that would be is that specific about who does

Well, we definitely can provide support in the finding recommend for the report.

Yeah. Since we probably you know, the chairperson would designate someone to be on that group if if they do not, participate. And I don't think it would be a a huge burden for

us to develop a report for you guys each year. We're used to doing that.

That's alright. Thank you. Any other questions then? Okay. Corporate driving and how it ends with parks, land mods, and other cities in places throughout the state.

First up, we have DLNR, Alan Carpenter.

Yeah. Good morning, chair, vice chair, members. Alan Carpenter, acting administrator for the division of state parks. We'll stand on our written testimony, in support and offering comments available for questions.

How would you, respond to a public person saying, just focus on the basics, cut the grass and clean the restrooms. And and that's, you know, maybe not being able to be done for whatever reasons. But again, how would you comment to that public person saying that's just the

basic that we need at this point? Big question. Because this this resolution obviously envisions much more. Right? And I I actually agree with the intent of the resolution which is to actually move parks forward beyond the basics of cutting grass and cleaning restrooms, which by the way, we don't fully accomplish at all times due to staffing, deficiencies and funding deficiencies that have been chronic.

We have really been moving forward, at some of the aspects that that this resolution envisions. And so I appreciate the support and consideration to help us help ourselves. We've been increasing our revenues dramatically to reinvest in the system. And, for the first time, thanks to all you folks, we are going to not for the first time.

For the first

time in a while, we're gonna grow our staffing, which will allow us to meet those basics a little better. But I do want to move forward, and I want our parks to be at a higher standard than they have been.

Follow-up question, sir. So with the the department challenge to maintain basics, bypassing this and giving me something additional to do if I want to affect your ability to keep up with what you need?

So this is a task force. This is a visioning group, I think. Examining what it partially examines what really good models of other park systems do so that we can be inspired by and learn from that. I don't think it's going to stop us, although I I daily feel overwhelmed. So I appreciate that

that question. We should probably ask your chair because the chair is a main member of this commission as well. Right? So the same thing. We're asking you guys for a commitment to help us.

But I think I've already intend to move forward on a strategic plan for parks for the next ten years. Is something that I consider to be complimentary, but I don't think it's gonna be such a burden that it will keep us from moving forward in other ways. To your question about the last one, I would appreciate since this is a legislatively requested working group or task force.

I would love it if the Senate who introduced it, you know, provided a little staff to help us with managing the minutes and the reports and things like that.

Yep. And so let me just verify that we want the

That and that that gets at his question. Right? I'm not sure that no one has asked the head of DBEDT whether they want to be the administrative must be, or does he have an appropriate staff member who he could designate to be on there? I'm okay. Appreciate that.

Okay. So reading the resolution and the makeup, I think the idea is okay. But I think that the representation is very high level and departmental agency representation. And I know that parks has been making a really substantial effort to go in a more community based direction. And I don't see that representation in the working group currently as drafted. Do you have any recommendations to from from that perspective?

I do. And if you I think you will note that the last provision says and the the committee chair or the work group chair, which by the fact Other

members, the chairperson seems appropriate.

Right. So I would say somebody from one of our esteemed nonprofit partners would be appropriate. Potentially, someone from, say, the National Association of State Park directors who look at what state parks typically do nationally, system wide.

Because, you know, you're it's state wide thing. You're discussing different parts of the house.

Right. I think so we have a community co management bill that's rolling through. I think that is it's a a different and parallel effort, and I think that grassroots community aspect is super critical to our success, but it is often place based and local.

I think this this envisions more of a system wide branding consistency of messaging where the you would bring in the the the locals and then your descendants and cultural descendants for a given area to contribute to what what they're talking about, the cultural messaging, etcetera. But not necessarily for I think there's a big part of this that, knowing the intent, it's at, again, helping us raise revenue, retail branding, and things like that, which I don't see as as something that is ingrained in any particular community.

And I don't really want to, I don't wanna say pollute, but I don't I don't wanna fill my parks with gift shops. Right? So I think we have to think really logically about the potential that that and I think that's one of the things that's really embedded in this resolution, but I think we have to be creative in how we do it.

I don't I don't like I said, I don't wanna give shop at the the Callaway Trailhead, but maybe maybe one at the airport, maybe one online. Right?

Things like that that could help us raise revenues, but not not impinge on the the natural and cultural resources or the visitor experience.

Physically or at the airport. Especially when I think I actually think this community management, my preferred route. It could conflict with us if the ideas are different.

I'd I'd prefer to think they could complement each other, but I I see you're concerned. Yeah. I I understand. I'm I'm pretty sensitive. I've been working with communities for my entire career, which is spanning thirty five years now.

So I I I think I I I'm very sensitive to that sentiment.

Thank you.

Any other questions? Okay. So you have let's move on. Members, we're almost there. We have another agenda.

SCR 129, affirming support for the expansion of programs and projects that increase tree canopy coverage and install shade trees in urban areas to mitigate the effects of urban heat islands across the state. First up, we have DLNR Topa. Heather Miller? Okay.

Good morning. Heather McMillan, urban and community forester with DLNR. We stand in support of this measure. Like, like I've said before, trees are beautiful, but they're not just beautification. They're critical infrastructure for our health, well-being and sustainability.

So here for any questions. Thank you.

Thank you. Next, I have, Chris Caulfield. He's not here. Anyone on Zoom? No one on Zoom?

Anyone in the room that wants to testify in this measure? Seeing none. Members, any questions?

Heather. You said trees are beautiful, but what?

Critical infrastructure. Our survival.

Tree trees are beautiful, but they're not just beautification. Yeah. They're critical infrastructure.

Yes.

Thank you, Elle. K. Any other questions? Let's move to our last measure, SCR 69. Before I can take our to to conduct a.

I do not We'll stand on our written testimony. We just wanted to say thank you for hearing this resolution, and we believe a performance audit of the State Building Code Council is both timely and necessary. Thank you very much.

I just need for first step in person test. The policy institute. somebody on zoom.

Anyone else wanting to testify on this measure? Seeing no others members yet. Any questions from Stephanie? Okay. No other questions.

We will recess. We are now opening up our 09:45AM agenda. Today is Thursday, April 16. We are Room 411, committee on water land, and committee on public safety. First up, we have SCR 79 encouraging the United States Navy to take responsibility for the eradication of octocoral and other invasive species from the waters of Pearl Harbor, including West Loch, Middle Loch, and East Loch.

Okay. First DLNR.

Aloha, chair, vice chair, committee members. Charlie Taylor, DLNR, Division of Aquatic Resources. We support this resolution and are available for any questions.

Thank you.

Andrew.

Okay. We have Andrew Porter on Zoom.

Hi. Good morning, chair, vice chair, and members of the committee. Andrew Porter with the coordinating group on alien pest species. We stand in support of SCR 79. We would also like to add our support to DLNR's testimony as well.

We think it really outlines the issues very well. We just wanted to thank again the Navy for their role in, helping eradicate the oct coral species. You know, they're really working together with a lot of other partners and making a lot of progress. We really appreciate the legislature looking at this measure. And, you know, we think this measure will really provide additional encouragement to both the Navy and all their partners to move into the future, helping to eradicate this invasive optical species.

So you very much for allowing me to testify and I'll be standing by for questions if you need it.

Thank you, Andrew. Can we have OHA in support, the Hawaii Military Affairs Council with comments, and numerous individuals in support. Is there anyone else in the room wanting to testify on this measure? Seeing no others members, are there any questions? No questions?

Okay. Can you just go into the decision matrix?

K. Go ahead.

Okay. Ready for the PM. Let's go to our first agenda. And first up, we have s t r 55 supporting the findings and recommendations of the Hawaii Water Safety Commission, Hawaii Water Safety Plan. My recommendation is to move this out of this.

Members, any comments? Please take the votes.

Okay. Members, we're voting on SCR 55. Our communication is to pass unamended. Chair votes aye, vice chair votes aye. Representative Baladi.

Aye. Representative Ijama. Aye. Representative Ijwa Modo. Aye.

Representative Koyi.

Aye. Representative

Woodson is excused. Representative Chaney. Aye. Representative Susan. Aye.

Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you, members. Next up is SCR 181, urging the County Of Maui to adopt ordinances, establish wildland urban interface safety standards for plantation homes and other high risk communities taking into account the County Of Kauai's ordinance number PM twenty twenty five four two five relating to the plantation camps, district wildfire, and wildland urban interface and other state and national wildlife wildland urban interface best practices. My recommendation is fastest as is. Any comments, members, questions? Okay.

Take the vote, please. The members are voting on SCR 181. Chair's recommendation is to pass unammended.

Are there any reservations or no? See that. Excuse that since the.

Thank you. We are now on SCR 20 SC 1, strongly supporting the county of Hawaii's efforts to develop the Kealakehe Regional Parks project. Recommendation to pass as is. Any questions, comments? Seeing none, please take note.

Okay. Members are voting on SCR 20. SC 1. SCR 1. Chair's recommendation is passed unamended.

Is there any reservations or no? Same none, chair. Your recommendation is adopted.

K. Thank you, members. SCR 32 requesting the establishment of a marine life conservation district carrying capacity study task force to develop a statewide implementation plan. Recommendations to pass this one as is. Questions?

Comments? Thank you. Please take the vote.

Yay. Members are voting on SCR 32. Chair's recommendation is to pass on amended voting to excuse absence of representative Vincent. Are there any reservations or notes? Say none, chair.

Your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you, members. We're now on SCR 19 SC 1 requesting the division of aquatic resources to collaborate with the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to develop and propose a framework for a student coral stewardship program. My recommendation on this one is to take the DLNR's amendments. That would be on page two. Any questions or comments?

Yes. Go ahead, Reverend.

So given the discussion we had earlier about amending Yes. And then sets it up for killing, are we?

Well, this amendment just makes it so that it's think it's about the report part of it, and I don't think that is something that's substantial enough to make it very different.

Okay.

Yeah.

But thanks oh, I'm sorry. I'm on the wrong page. But thanks for your comment on that. I thought I thought about that one, but I didn't think that this would be that much of a problem. But any other questions or comments on this?

Okay. Okay. The whole Okay.

Members, we're voting on SCR 19 SC 1. Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. You're ready to excuse that since our representative. Are there any reservations or no? Seeing none.

K. Thank you, members. We are on SCR 58 SC1, urging the division of voting and motion recreation of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop a progressive enforcement framework for parking violations in parking lots under its jurisdiction, ensure proper use of parking areas by intended intended users, and improve the prevalence and clarity of signage regarding parking regulation fees and penalties.

And so with all of the titles, my recommendation even through the a lot of the discussion is to do technical amendments, which are needed for clarity, consistency, and style. And that is all I'm gonna recommend on this one.

Any comments or questions on this? Yeah. It's more that we're to do to consider. Yeah. We can do that in the community report.

That that's a good idea. Thank you. Thank you for that suggest suggestion. Any other comments or questions? Okay.

Members, we save the vote.

Eight members who are voting on SCR 58. Chair's recommendation is to pass. And it's loading to speak up some sub representative. And are there any recommendations about?

Thank you, members. SCR 100 SD one.

SCR 58 SD one.

Yes. Oh,

SCR 58 SD one.

Sorry. I didn't check on that. Okay.

That's what we voted on. Any reservations or notes?

Now we are on SCR 100 SD 1. Recommendation on this is to pass as is, noting that we did ask about who would be responsible for supporting the reports. So as is. Thank you. Questions, comments?

Sure. Yes. Similar to the speaker, which I I voted against, I I don't I don't feel like we as government should be on standards from our own. I I feel that even goes against fair procurement practices. So I will be doing this.

Okay. Thank you. Any other comments, questions? Seeing none, please take the vote, chair.

Eight members are voting on SCR 100. That's the one chair's recommendation. Are there any reservations or no? Sure. Your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you, members. We are now on SCR 103 SD 1, urging the division of state parks and department of land and natural resources to convene a task force to to improve state parks and to develop appropriate branding and narratives for parks, landmarks, and other significant places throughout the state. Our recommendation is on this is to to do a small amendment on page two, line 35 after the department of DLNR, I'm gonna put in or their designee. And that's all.

Any questions or comments?

Seeing none, please take the vote, chair.

K. Members who are voting on SCR 103, SD one, chair's recommendation is to pass This is an event supported. Are there any reservations or no? Seeing none, chair your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you, member. SCR 129, confirming support for the expansion of programs and projects that increase tree canopy coverage and install shade trees in urban areas to mitigate the effects of urban heat islands across the state. Recommendation to pass as is. Any comments, questions? Yes.

Sure. No problem. Thank you for that. Okay. Any other comments?

K. Click the vote. Yes.

Yay. Members are voting on SCR 129. Chair's recommendation is to pass as amended. Whether any reservations or no, same none with. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you, members. And my last one for that agenda is SCR 69 requesting the state auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Hawaii state building code codes or condition to pass as is. Questions, comments? Seeing none.

K. Members, we're voting on SCR 69. There's recommendation to pass unamended. Are there any reservations or no? I'm seeing none.

Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you, members. Now we're gonna move right into our second agenda, nine forty five. For SCR 79. My recommendation for this is to pass as is. This is rec for the committee of water.

Any comments, questions? Seeing none. Here, please take the vote.

K. Members are voting on SCR 79. Chair's recommendation is to pass unamended. Voting is the excuse, absence of representative Woodson. Are there any reservations or no's?

Seeing none, chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you. And I move it to PBS for their vote. PBS.

May I take the vote for PBS?

Chair Chair the the lobby.

Take the vote. Can I take the vote for PBS?

Yes. Yes.

Yay. Members of PBS, are they does anybody wanna change their role? Say none. No. Your recommendation.

Okay. Members, we are adjourned. Thank you so much. This is our last one.