Hawaii Senate Bill SB524

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/25
• Refer: 1/21/25

Caption

Relating To Land.

Impact

The legislation empowers the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to exercise its power of eminent domain under Hawaii Revised Statutes, enabling the acquisition of designated tax map key parcels. Funds are appropriated to facilitate these purchases, which could lead to the development of new community spaces and amenities. This initiative aligns with broader goals to support the increasing number of residents and visitors in the area and addresses inadequacies in the current infrastructure.

Summary

SB524 aims to address pressing land and infrastructure issues faced by the city and county of Honolulu due to its rapid population growth. With a reported increase of 6.6 percent from 2010 to 2020, the local infrastructure is under strain, notably through a lack of sufficient outdoor spaces and other facilities for residents and visitors. The bill seeks to optimize the use of available land within the county to meet these growing community needs and foster economic development.

Contention

While the intent of SB524 is to bolster community resources and economic opportunities, the use of eminent domain could generate contention among property owners and local stakeholders. Some may argue that the power of eminent domain can infringe on individual property rights, raising concerns about fair compensation and the justification of taking private land for public use. As the bill moves through the legislative process, these concerns may lead to debates on balancing individual rights with collective community benefits.