HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.C.R. NO. 50 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 STATE OF HAWAII HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION requesting the Department of Law Enforcement, in collaboration with the Department of Health, to convene a task force to address no-trespassing policies along streams on Oahu and improve coordination between State and county authorities to address environmental and public health concerns.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.C.R. NO. 50
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.C.R. NO.
50
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
requesting the Department of Law Enforcement, in collaboration with the Department of Health, to convene a task force to address no-trespassing policies along streams on Oahu and improve coordination between State and county authorities to address environmental and public health concerns.
WHEREAS, streams on Oahu are vital resources that serve as cultural and community landmarks and provide essential ecological functions, including flood management, water quality preservation, and habitats for native species; and WHEREAS, the presence of encampments along streams create environmental hazards, such as improper waste disposal that pollutes waterways and harms the natural ecosystems connect to the streams, including the Ala Wai canal and nearshore waters; and WHEREAS, the presence of encampments in and near streams poses significant safety and health risks to individuals experiencing homelessness, who may face life-threatening conditions during floods, exposure to biohazards, and inadequate access to necessary resources; and WHEREAS, the lack of clear and coordinated enforcement between state and county authorities has allowed unsafe conditions to persist, resulting in blocked floodways and emergency rescues, and caused harm to the broader community and environment; and WHEREAS, addressing these challenges requires a multi-stakeholder approach that fosters collaboration between state and local government organizations and community representatives to develop compassionate, effective, and sustainable solutions; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Law Enforcement, in collaboration with the Department of Health, is requested to convene a task force to address no-trespassing policies along streams on Oahu and improve coordination between State and county authorities to address environmental and public health concerns; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to consist of the following members: (1) The Director of Law Enforcement, or the Director's designee; (2) The Director of Health, or the Director's designee; (3) The Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, or the Mayor's designee; (4) The chairperson of the House of Representatives standing committee with primary jurisdiction over housing, or the chairperson's designee; and (5) The chairperson of the Senate standing committee with primary jurisdiction over water and land, or the chairperson's designee; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to invite the following community members to participate on the task force, to be selected as follows: (1) One member to be selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; (2) One member to be selected by the President of the Senate; (3) One member to be selected by the Governor; and (4) One member to be selected by the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to: (1) Develop recommendations for implementing no-trespassing policies along streams on Oahu, with a focus on humane enforcement practices; (2) Propose strategies to improve coordination between state and county agencies in addressing encampments along streams on Oahu; (3) Identify resources and outreach programs necessary to connect individuals experiencing homelessness who are encamped along streams on Oahu to services providing shelter, health care, or permanent housing; and (4) Evaluate environmental impacts of encampments and propose measures to mitigate pollution and protect water quality; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to convene no later than August 1, 2025; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2026; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Law Enforcement, Director of Health, and Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu. OFFERED BY: _____________________________
WHEREAS, streams on Oahu are vital resources that serve as cultural and community landmarks and provide essential ecological functions, including flood management, water quality preservation, and habitats for native species; and
WHEREAS, the presence of encampments along streams create environmental hazards, such as improper waste disposal that pollutes waterways and harms the natural ecosystems connect to the streams, including the Ala Wai canal and nearshore waters; and
WHEREAS, the presence of encampments in and near streams poses significant safety and health risks to individuals experiencing homelessness, who may face life-threatening conditions during floods, exposure to biohazards, and inadequate access to necessary resources; and
WHEREAS, the lack of clear and coordinated enforcement between state and county authorities has allowed unsafe conditions to persist, resulting in blocked floodways and emergency rescues, and caused harm to the broader community and environment; and
WHEREAS, addressing these challenges requires a multi-stakeholder approach that fosters collaboration between state and local government organizations and community representatives to develop compassionate, effective, and sustainable solutions; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Law Enforcement, in collaboration with the Department of Health, is requested to convene a task force to address no-trespassing policies along streams on Oahu and improve coordination between State and county authorities to address environmental and public health concerns; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to consist of the following members:
(1) The Director of Law Enforcement, or the Director's designee;
(2) The Director of Health, or the Director's designee;
(3) The Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, or the Mayor's designee;
(4) The chairperson of the House of Representatives standing committee with primary jurisdiction over housing, or the chairperson's designee; and
(5) The chairperson of the Senate standing committee with primary jurisdiction over water and land, or the chairperson's designee; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to invite the following community members to participate on the task force, to be selected as follows:
(1) One member to be selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(2) One member to be selected by the President of the Senate;
(3) One member to be selected by the Governor; and
(4) One member to be selected by the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to:
(1) Develop recommendations for implementing no-trespassing policies along streams on Oahu, with a focus on humane enforcement practices;
(2) Propose strategies to improve coordination between state and county agencies in addressing encampments along streams on Oahu;
(3) Identify resources and outreach programs necessary to connect individuals experiencing homelessness who are encamped along streams on Oahu to services providing shelter, health care, or permanent housing; and
(4) Evaluate environmental impacts of encampments and propose measures to mitigate pollution and protect water quality; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to convene no later than August 1, 2025; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2026; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Law Enforcement, Director of Health, and Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu.
OFFERED BY: _____________________________
OFFERED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title: Oahu Streams; Trespassing; Encampments; Task Force
Report Title:
Oahu Streams; Trespassing; Encampments; Task Force