[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6366260,"mediaKeyId","2159583-c6e04f1c6ca8642662372264f5c76381","parentId",2159583,"title","Public testimony urges return of military-leased lands; committee defers bill to allow further work","audioSeconds",173,"startMs",5973000,"endMs",5800000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159583-c6e04f1c6ca8642662372264f5c76381&start=5973&end=5800","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159583-c6e04f1c6ca8642662372264f5c76381/thumbnail_5973000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6366260/Hawaii/Public-testimony-urges-return-of-military-leased-lands-committee-defers-bill-to-allow-further-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366260-9ed68cf595fac0ac41819a5b6f4eedb2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186570&Signature=Xpa7JkOGzNOoULSVvdLY5U-~sjgfLsFdqgGuO-1ZObvaXyXI02c4flwow3rolSZc46voa-t88EOVDDU7nV4hArCuSiaQUNl00WJZoYWzHxeyG-LeU1cFmUVVxzTgF56BGiIOF-MiQcfPou~i1HfYxE1qds3rnk7rePQ1RIoBB6wJaJQp-zgFPbjp-uJ8JDIKTVXgKOxfbiGN-1fORm6KJO~cUpi1X1i0oDRAOzSNNoY48TkesWQEU-hTf0RsPBBz4koM3vSNIfc1z8XIMoAXrn7XyiE0rKKfDZjBgqAqD0HVAgTNGMb0RwGKEFjlCxU-BCd60bYEWlZ8wX57i91BUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Committee on Water & Land","date","2025-01-25T03:55:21Z","article","House Bill 305, which would create a trust and process for receiving returned military-leased lands and prioritizing Kuleana owners and native governance structures, drew extended public testimony on Jan. 28 from kupuna, community organizations and advocacy groups urging passage. Supporters framed the bill as a necessary mechanism for land rehabilitation and community stewardship once military leases begin to expire (scheduled in 2029 in testimony).

Several speakers described historical displacement and urged state action to ensure lands are remediated and returned to people with ancestral ties. Kalahui Hawaii testified in strong support and asked the committee to adopt a return-of-lands model similar to prior precedent (Kaho'olawe restoration). “We respectfully and strongly urge this committee to pass HB 305,” a Kalahui Hawaii representative said, citing the need for remediation funded by the U.S. military and a trusted holding mechanism for lands that may be relinquished by the Department of Defense.

DLNR opposed the bill as drafted, asking that the lease-renewal and environmental-review processes play out before the legislature prescribes a single ownership model. DLNR argued some lands are already undergoing EIS, CDUP (conservation district use permit) and other processes that require public engagement and that automatic transfer to a particular trust could short-circuit those reviews.

Committee members heard substantial community support but also DLNR’s call to let formal administrative and environmental processes proceed; the chair said the bill needs additional drafting to address DLNR’s concerns and that the introducer would provide another draft. The committee deferred House Bill 305 to allow additional work and coordination with DLNR and stakeholders.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WAL Public Hearing - Tue Jan 28, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of kupuna, community groups and organizations urged lawmakers on Jan. 28 to move forward with House Bill 305, a proposal to receive, remediate and transfer lands currently leased to the U.S. military back to Hawaiian beneficiaries or an Aloha Aina trust once leases expire.","taxTitle","House Committee on Water & Land, House of Representatives, Legislative , Hawaii","taxId",25724,"location","Hawaii","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6366265,"Committee advances bill to fund Red Hill remediation and sustain oversight",94,3988000,4082000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159583-c6e04f1c6ca8642662372264f5c76381&start=3988&end=4082","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159583-c6e04f1c6ca8642662372264f5c76381/thumbnail_3988000.jpg","/articles/6366265/Hawaii/Committee-advances-bill-to-fund-Red-Hill-remediation-and-sustain-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366265-d8e1efa33fe1434a6521dbc572225c35/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186570&Signature=XZOwJ8XdG-khj~6QephEpmCdFWhZZv7sAc7V43ADeM4nBatARNEsV44EEWeY3UTZ1PF5XbezK419u0D2A0mYsqCDK0q2tesPvueRAMzf7EXiROMPsyAjN3JfAE~mhSdsavt3ab6xX-LRBXR~DLVP6LQCgOvojkPt6t2dZps9hJXAQhmVCiGUzzYG9Xhk1hspxeBJ54B3Ulhf0vn-3aN0BrOReE-QBVV8VoNWWjYuBKjeCTMwtogbA8bpWYLHFFg48DeMy0I-bXABoUMNfMj5k3XgUZiBJgGXfDXhWdi1~eX01VxHKUSUdytEX81QFMTn~dPg66WDyePNUjZdER1z0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 505, which would fund the Red Hill response effort and establish a special fund for long-term remediation and a Red Hill Victim Impact Entity (VIE), drew broad support at the Jan. 28 hearing from community groups, water officials and a number of people who identified themselves as affected residents.

Ryan Kanakawole of the Department of Land and Natural Resources told the committee, “The department strongly supports House Bill 505. We support the funding for the Red Hill VIE and the establishment of the special fund,” and noted that DLNR had already created three support positions in the previous legislative session and is actively recruiting.

Ernie Lau of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply testified the board “stands in strong support of this bill” and thanked community members for sustained advocacy. A number of affected residents and community organizations also urged swift action, saying long-term funding and an insulated office are necessary because remediation and monitoring will take decades.

Public testimony included affected household representatives who said they continue to use bottled water or live with health concerns; others urged the committee to require the Navy to contribute to cleanup costs and to ensure any public funds directly benefit affected households.

The committee accepted technical amendments and directed that the bill be reported with an HD1 and a defective date for further drafting. The committee report will ask for clarity on funding sources and explicitly reference the need to seek federal and Navy contributions and to consider how gifts, grants and donations are allocated so that affected residents receive compensation where appropriate.","Lawmakers heard broad public support for House Bill 505 to fund the Red Hill Response and establish a special fund to sustain monitoring and remediation; DLNR and the Board of Water Supply urged passage with implementation and funding details addressed in the committee report.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6366270,"House panel hears sharp concerns about proposed jump in water-code penalties",0,3546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159583-c6e04f1c6ca8642662372264f5c76381&start=3546&end=3546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159583-c6e04f1c6ca8642662372264f5c76381/thumbnail_3546000.jpg","/articles/6366270/Hawaii/House-panel-hears-sharp-concerns-about-proposed-jump-in-water-code-penalties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366270-186cc04199f1d3c14cb1bbb69c0c5758/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186570&Signature=eaKwwBd2k4JP0XAYaewXZ-t~FhH75fhGeUlUYmvY7qLcL2hsib14uCQ86L-2tW8LeS94-Pv-9Y8Sv9HxgNO3eA-BrOU06pCigHor0~E6lT6QGzZUuvZeHPXCxJLl8Pi36k7vAVaN~aBXEmFHL0JgMeoFeLvFhwqBAb8Viq2yVLIYQlaxaOPFj-XSr9N2Bk8ud9-vR-KSpAioXhulsiiUAUxwdYMhSFEiRLR3A-qozPJUmfuBjyOe8QKl72lVNiqIoA0yTqax8aJFAsAyG0Z97uR4AACLHik5aVM-CVXsxODrH4wQV0Osla5o9H3y29nWuiz8vNpBUBRJjrZA3nRsDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Water and Land on Jan. 28 debated a bill to raise civil penalties for violations of the State Water Code, with witnesses and committee members warning the bill’s proposed range could unfairly burden small landowners and trap enforcement agencies in ambiguity.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) told the committee it needs stronger penalties as tools to deter serious water-code violations. “It's $5,000 per violation” under current law, Ryan Kanakawole of DLNR said, adding the agency supports giving the commission more enforcement capacity but acknowledged questions about the proposed maximums and language for continuing violations.

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposed the bill as drafted, citing the effect on ratepayers and small users. Ernie Lau, manager and chief engineer for the Board of Water Supply, said the proposed maximums are “a little harsh” and urged the committee to consider the administration’s alternative (House Bill 1142) that phases increases over time and requires adoption of administrative rules to guide enforcement decisions.

Public testimony included strongly worded concerns from community members and farmers who warned that a very large penalty range could be applied to routine or accidental infractions. Committee members flagged a potential drafting problem: the statutory text calls each day a separate “offense” while later language refers to “continuing violations,” creating legal uncertainty about whether an enforcement action could multiply into multiple maximum-range penalties.

DLNR said it uses an internal penalty policy that considers gravity and mitigation and that past penalties have ranged from small fines to larger settlements depending on severity and context; the agency offered to provide the committee with its penalty history and internal policy for review.

After discussion, the committee directed staff to revise the language, align the measure with the administration’s approach (HB 1142) and add requirements for administrative rules and public input. The committee moved the bill forward with technical edits that narrow the immediate change (the committee replaces the extreme top-end penalty with a staged approach and asks for rule-making to guide use of penalties).","Lawmakers, regulators and water providers clashed over draft language to raise civil penalties under the State Water Code, with the Board of Water Supply and others urging a narrower, staged approach and DLNR defending broader enforcement tools.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6366255,"Votes at a glance: House Committee on Water and Land, Jan. 28, 2005",789,9982000,10771000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159583-c6e04f1c6ca8642662372264f5c76381&start=9982&end=10771","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159583-c6e04f1c6ca8642662372264f5c76381/thumbnail_9982000.jpg","/articles/6366255/Hawaii/Votes-at-a-glance-House-Committee-on-Water-and-Land-Jan-28-2005","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366255-a058436143203468c55ccb4e824760a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186570&Signature=TQAmUMtkm89cVsCtHyVfZuuntinyAufHiIRyGRkIQkxxyyzUwcRulfYu7yqa3aMAR008Voqopk9GrsMHUr~PSls1dvcPED1wc55E0x13vsuUPrtnDi0IrAYAOJ0UKmoYZY0s38wQ8o9KjotVfhhrHpGlM2DMfoh95s~0IOp--zRbbrula3VuTMR79Kj45O4O3w8XRjyPXajfZs48z72PG1AF1qB6nfGV0GR1sNyP7xQF5GoOZigV1NPbQbBIUlADpsTUzwNgJ~XSYE-bczFesgSFPApdGOrINRLRydKvOJkK9zDsjQuxmUB9Aruqu1i66FtMYJO3qhzd5UkZhszQlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Jan. 28 meeting of the House Committee on Water and Land the committee took formal action on multiple bills. Chair Mark Asham called the roll votes and recorded the committee’s recommendations. Key outcomes recorded by the committee clerk were:

- HB 1144 (employment in State Historic Preservation Division): Committee recommendation to pass with amendments; report to include labor/position reclassification direction and a defective date placed in committee report.

- HB 12 (tort liability / landowner immunity): Committee recommendation to defer (members expressed concerns about overbroad immunity language; testimony highlighted HRS 663-1.54 and comparative-fault standards).

- HB 29 (counties / property takings process): Committee adopted vice chair amendments and passed with amendments; committee report to include language about refunding sale proceeds that exceed unpaid fines to property owners and an HD1 was generated.

- HB 175 (property maintenance / noxious weeds and fire risk): Committee passed with amendments accepting DLNR technical input; responsibility for invasive-plant enforcement placed under Department of Agriculture, fire-related enforcement clarified for State Fire Marshal and county fire departments.

- HB 331 (state agency permits / repetitive construction exemption): Committee passed with amendments including DLNR and DOE-suggested language clarifying the definition of “repetitive construction projects” (limited to one-for-one replacement and minor repair that do not increase plumbing/electrical demand and do not engage external agencies); committee report to include further drafting and a defective date.

- HB 3 (North Shore beach management): Committee accepted and advanced the measure with a defective date for drafting.

- HB 309 (fishponds): Committee accepted DLNR recommendations and advanced the bill; the committee deferred a $250,000 appropriation into the committee report rather than in statute.

- HB 306 / HB 30306 (water code fines): Committee moved a technical approach to align with the administration’s HB 1142 and adopted staged penalties in the committee report; required DLNR and Board of Water Supply follow-up materials.

- HB 505 (Red Hill remediation funding and VIE): Committee advanced HB 505 to HD1 with technical amendments and directions to pursue Navy/federal funding and clarify fund allocation; committee also recorded broad public support.

- HB 305 (return of military-leased lands / Aloha Aina trust): Committee deferred the measure to permit additional drafting in consultation with DLNR and stakeholders; DLNR asked that ongoing EIS and lease-renewal processes be allowed to play out before statutory disposition is set.

Several bills moved forward with technical amendments and committee directions; the clerk recorded adopted recommendations and defective dates on multiple measures to allow redrafting.

Votes were taken in the meeting and chair recorded the committee's recommendations; many measures were advanced with technical amendments and requests for follow-up action in the committee report.","The committee recorded decisions on a set of bills ranging from historic-preservation staffing to permits, fishponds and property maintenance; several measures were passed with amendments and a few were deferred for further drafting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public testimony urges return of military-leased lands; committee defers bill to allow further work

Committee advances bill to fund Red Hill remediation and sustain oversight

House panel hears sharp concerns about proposed jump in water-code penalties

Votes at a glance: House Committee on Water and Land, Jan. 28, 2005