Hawaii House Bill HCR93

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/14/22
• Report Pass: 3/31/22
• Engrossed: 3/31/22
• Refer: 4/1/22
• Report Pass: 4/28/22
• Passed: 4/29/22

Caption

Requesting The City And County Of Honolulu To Purchase Certain Tax Map Key Parcels To Be Used For Additional Parking And Other Community Needs, As Deemed Necessary By The City And County Of Honolulu.

Impact

The resolution highlights a critical need for improved infrastructure, including parking and community spaces, in response to the challenges posed by a booming population and tourism market. With visitor numbers reaching record highs prior to the pandemic, the lack of designated parking and outdoor spaces has become increasingly evident. The parcels mentioned in the resolution are seen as opportunities to alleviate some of these pressures, providing space for both residents and visitors to better engage with the community.

Summary

HCR93, introduced in the Thirty-first Legislature of 2022, requests the City and County of Honolulu to acquire specific tax map key parcels for the purpose of enhancing parking facilities and addressing community needs as they are deemed necessary by local authorities. This resolution arises from a growing acknowledgment of the mounting pressures faced by the City and County of Honolulu due to population increases and rising visitor numbers. For instance, Oahu's population grew by 6.6% from 2010 to 2020, reaching over 1,000,000 for the first time, which adds to the existing demands on local infrastructure.

Conclusion

Overall, HCR93 represents an effort by the State of Hawaii to respond proactively to the infrastructural challenges facing Honolulu. It aims to facilitate the city's growth by addressing immediate parking and open space needs while also signaling to the community that their concerns regarding infrastructure are being taken seriously. The resolution's success will ultimately depend on its implementation and the subsequent actions of the City and County of Honolulu.

Contention

While the resolution is largely supportive of enhancing local infrastructure, it does raise points of contention regarding land use and allocation. Some stakeholders may question the availability and cost of these tax map parcels, as well as the implications such purchases could have on future development plans and local ecosystems. There are also discussions to be had about the best methods for addressing community needs and whether purchasing additional land is the most effective or sustainable approach.