Hawaii Senate Bill SR188

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23
• Report Pass: 4/4/23
• Passed: 4/5/23

Caption

Requesting The Office Of Planning And Sustainable Development To Convene A Multiagency Working Group To Identify Sites That Have The Collective Capacity To Accommodate Ten Thousand New Homes Per Year, For The Next Fifty Years.

Impact

If successfully implemented, SR188 could lead to significant changes in the state's housing policy and development landscape. By creating a dedicated working group that includes representatives from various governmental bodies, SR188 seeks to enhance coordination in addressing housing needs. This could result in a more systematic and structured approach to tackling the housing shortage in Hawaii, directing resources and attention to areas where new developments can be most effective. The initiative is seen as a crucial step towards making housing more attainable for residents facing high prices in the current real estate market.

Summary

Senate Resolution SR188 is a legislative measure aimed at addressing Hawaii’s pressing housing crisis by requesting the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to convene a multiagency working group. This group's primary objective will be to identify potential sites that can collectively accommodate the construction of 10,000 new homes per year over the next fifty years. The resolution aligns with the Hawaii State Planning Act, which emphasizes the importance of ensuring accessible and affordable housing for the state’s residents through collaborative efforts among governmental and development entities.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SR188 has been largely positive among supporters who view it as a proactive measure to alleviate housing difficulties in Hawaii. Proponents emphasize the necessity of ongoing collaboration across multiple agencies to effectively manage Hawaii’s housing crisis. However, there are concerns about the ambitious targets set by the resolution, particularly the feasibility of identifying suitable sites and the integration of sustainability into new housing developments. Critics may question whether the proposed plan might overlook local community needs and environmental considerations, raising potential points of contention.

Contention

Key points of contention include the challenge of balancing rapid housing development with ecological preservation and local community interests. Some stakeholders may fear that the aggressive goal of accommodating 10,000 new homes annually could lead to hasty planning decisions that do not adequately consider environmental impacts or the needs of existing residents. The interplay between state-level directives and local governance will be pivotal as the working group moves forward, and addressing these concerns will be essential for garnering broader support for the initiative.