HB445 would direct the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to use the state’s eminent domain authority under chapter 101, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to acquire a specified set of 19 tax map key parcels in Honolulu. The bill states that the acquisitions are intended to support economic development and address community needs, including the need for more usable outdoor and community space in a county experiencing significant population growth and infrastructure strain.
The bill also appropriates an unspecified amount from general revenues for fiscal year 2025-2026 to fund the parcel acquisitions. If enacted, it would give DBEDT authority and funding to condemn and purchase the listed properties, with the department determining what is necessary for the stated public purposes. The measure is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.
Impact
HB445 would affect state land acquisition and eminent domain practice by expressly authorizing DBEDT to acquire the listed Honolulu parcels under chapter 101 and by providing a general fund appropriation for that purpose. It would not broadly rewrite eminent domain law, but it would create a targeted statutory directive for specific parcels and a specific agency, potentially changing ownership and use of the identified lands for economic development and community-serving purposes.
Sentiment
The bill’s stated rationale suggests a generally supportive policy frame centered on relieving infrastructure pressure, expanding community space, and promoting economic development in Honolulu. The available record shows the measure was introduced and referred to committees, but there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, so there is no documented floor or committee sentiment beyond the bill’s own findings and purpose statement.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the use of eminent domain to acquire private property for public purposes tied to economic development, which can raise concerns about property rights, compensation, and whether the public need justifies condemnation. Another likely issue is the bill’s open-ended appropriation amount, since the funding level is left blank in the text, and the specific parcels targeted may draw local concern from affected landowners or community members. No formal objections or amendments are included in the provided record.