Hawaii House Bill HR34

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/22
• Refer: 3/10/22
• Report Pass: 3/28/22
• Refer: 3/28/22

Caption

Requesting The State And City And County Of Honolulu To Convene A Working Group To Collaborate On Multi-jurisdictional Stream Maintenance.

Impact

The establishment of the working group aims to address the challenges presented by heavy rainfall and flooding that often lead to significant property damage and risk to public safety. The resolution notes the historical context of flooding in Oahu, where such events have caused considerable loss of life and financial implications, including more than $225 million in damages. HR34 seeks to streamline processes by clarifying responsibilities, thereby improving the efficacy of stream maintenance efforts across various jurisdictions.

Summary

House Resolution 34 (HR34) requests the State of Hawaii and the City and County of Honolulu to establish a working group focused on multi-jurisdictional stream maintenance. The resolution highlights the existing division of responsibilities for stream maintenance among state authorities, local governments, and private property owners, which can lead to complications and inefficiencies in addressing the needs of stream management. The working group is tasked with determining clear ownership of the streams, promoting collaboration between the involved parties, and evaluating the impact of private ownership regarding community welfare.

Contention

Notably, the resolution mandates a comprehensive evaluation of the pros and cons of private ownership of streams. Depending on the working group's findings, the ownership of specific streams may need to be reassessed, potentially shifting responsibility from private owners to public entities. This nuance highlights a point of contention as it could spur debate regarding property rights and the roles of local communities versus state mandates in environmental management.

Additional_points

Moreover, the working group is expected to provide a detailed report with recommendations, including a proposed schedule for maintenance and resources required to ensure effective stream management. The resolution also establishes that the working group should aim to cease operations by June 30, 2023, which creates a time-sensitive framework for achieving its objectives.