Bill Text: HI HCR79 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Requesting That A Working Group Be Convened To Make Recommendations To Prevent The Re-occurrence Of Wildfires On Waahila Ridge Near The University Of Hawaii At Manoa.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-03-31 - Report adopted. referred to the committee(s) on JHA as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Eli, Hashem, D. Kobayashi, Ohno excused (4). [HCR79 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-HCR79-Amended.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	79
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THAT A WORKING GROUP BE CONVENED TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PREVENT THE RE-OCCURRENCE OF WILDFIRES ON WAAHILA RIDGE NEAR THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, wildfires have recurred in the lower part of Waahila Ridge near the University of Hawaii at Manoa; and

 

     WHEREAS, the most recent wildfire, in September 2020, threatened homes and other structures, including an elementary school, and temporarily cut off local electrical service; and

 

     WHEREAS, similar fires have broken out in the Waahila Ridge area in 2015 and 2017; and

 

     WHEREAS, after these wildfires, among the first species of vegetation to grow back on Waahila Ridge are invasive grasses that quickly grow and dry, becoming fire-prone; and

 

     WHEREAS, according to the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources of the University of Hawaii, an estimated twenty-five percent of the total land in Hawaii is covered by fire-prone, non-native grasses and shrubs; and

 

     WHEREAS, experts recommend implementation of a more permanent fire prevention strategy beyond removing the vegetation that fuels wildfires; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to convene a working group to make recommendations on wildfire mitigation at the portion of Waahila Ridge located near and above the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Mid-Pacific Institute, Noelani Elementary School, and Kalawao Street near Manoa Hillside Estates; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group comprise the following members:

 

     (1)  The Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, or the Chairperson's designee, who shall serve as Chair of the working group;

 

     (2)  A member of the House of Representatives whose district includes at least a portion of Manoa, who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

 

     (3)  A member of the Senate whose district includes at least a portion of Manoa, who shall be appointed by the President of the Senate;

 

     (4)  The President of the University of Hawaii, or the President's designee;

 

     (5)  The Chairperson of the City and County of Honolulu Board of Water Supply Board of Directors, or the Chair's designee;

 

     (6)  The Fire Chief of the Honolulu Fire Department, or the Chief's designee;

 

     (7)  The Director of Human Services, or the Director's designee;

 

     (8)  A representative of public recreational advocacy interests; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to invite the following persons to join the working group:

 

     (1)  A fire expert from the Pacific Fire Exchange; and

 

     (2)  An individual living near the subject area; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the working group shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for travel and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no member of the working group shall be made subject to Chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation on the working group; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group include input from residents of the communities that have been or may be impacted by wildfires occurring on Waahila Ridge; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to report 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 2023; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group shall cease to exist on June 30, 2023; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, and Chair of the Honolulu City Council.

 

 

 

Report Title: 

Waahila Ridge; Fire Prevention and Mitigation; Working Group