Hawaii House Bill HCR152

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/16/26
• Refer: 3/18/26

Caption

Requesting The Hawaii State Energy Office To Establish An Offshore Wind Energy Working Group To Develop A Roadmap And Recommendations Regarding Offshore Wind Energy Development In Hawaii.

Summary

HCR152 is a House Concurrent Resolution requesting the Hawaii State Energy Office to create an Offshore Wind Energy Working Group. The group would be tasked with compiling existing data, consulting community stakeholders, evaluating whether offshore wind is suitable for Hawaii, and developing a roadmap and recommendations for offshore wind development in the state. It also asks the group to consider best practices for evaluating and initiating projects and to examine whether adjustments to Hawaii’s renewable energy goals may be appropriate. The resolution is framed around Hawaii’s 100% renewable energy by 2045 goal and the growing interest in offshore wind as a potential source of clean, cost-effective power. At the same time, it acknowledges that offshore wind projects may create environmental, cultural, socioeconomic, and infrastructure impacts, especially for coastal communities. The measure is also presented as one of the final policy initiatives associated with the late Representative Gene Ward.

Impact

Because HCR152 is a concurrent resolution rather than a bill, it does not directly amend Hawaii statutes or create binding regulatory requirements. Its practical effect would be to direct the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a working group and produce recommendations that could inform future executive, administrative, or legislative action on offshore wind. The resolution also signals engagement with federal offshore wind planning and state agencies such as the Public Utilities Commission, Board of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment appears cautious and exploratory rather than fully supportive or oppositional. The resolution recognizes offshore wind as a potentially important clean energy resource, but it also emphasizes the need to assess community concerns, environmental effects, and infrastructure readiness before moving forward. The inclusion of stakeholder engagement and suitability review suggests an intent to slow down and study the issue rather than to accelerate development unconditionally.

Contention

The main point of contention is offshore wind development itself, particularly in areas off O'ahu where unsolicited lease requests have already prompted strong community concern and outright opposition. Supporters of the resolution appear to favor a structured, data-driven process to evaluate the technology and its fit for Hawaii’s energy future, while critics are likely concerned about impacts on marine ecosystems, cultural resources, local communities, and the pace of renewable energy development. Another potential tension is whether Hawaii’s renewable energy targets should be adjusted in light of offshore wind feasibility and public acceptance.