Hawaii House Bill HCR19

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/25
• Refer: 3/14/25
• Report Pass: 4/3/25
• Refer: 4/4/25

Caption

Urging The Governor To Create A Task Force On Military Partnership To Develop And Strengthen The Public-military Relationship In Hawaii.

Impact

The proposed task force would include significant stakeholders, such as the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Mayor of Honolulu, and the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command. This diverse membership is designed to ensure comprehensive input and visibility for the issues at hand. The resolution notes several key areas where public benefits could be derived from military resources, including access to water for community use, recreational facilities for youth sports, and land that could be utilized for agriculture and other purposes.

Summary

HCR19, introduced in the Thirty-third Legislature of Hawaii, urges the Governor to establish a task force dedicated to enhancing the public-military relationship in the state. With over 42,000 active duty military personnel stationed in Hawaii, the resolution arises in response to various challenges that have arisen, particularly environmental incidents and military operations that have strained relations between the military and local communities. By fostering collaboration, the aim is to assure a mutually beneficial relationship between the military and Hawaiian residents.

Contention

While the bill reflects a concerted effort to strengthen ties between military installations and local communities, there may be underlying concerns regarding the balance of military influence versus community autonomy. The potential for disputes over land and resource allocations, as well as governance issues, could arise during discussions of task force recommendations. This highlights the necessity for open dialogue to address community concerns while exploring ways to enhance collaboration between military operations and resident needs.