Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HR175

Introduced
3/16/26  
Refer
3/18/26  
Report Pass
4/2/26  
Refer
4/2/26  
Report Pass
4/9/26  

Caption

Urging All County Planning And Permitting Agencies To Deny All Permit Applications Related To The Construction, Expansion, Or Use Of Warehouses By United States Immigration And Customs Enforcement For The Purpose Of Detaining Individuals Facing Deportation.

Summary

H.R. 175 is a House Resolution urging all county planning and permitting agencies in Hawaii to deny permit applications connected to the construction, expansion, or use of warehouses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when those facilities would be used to detain people facing deportation. The resolution frames the issue as a response to federal funding for new immigration detention centers and reports that ICE may seek to use large warehouse-style facilities to hold very large numbers of detainees. The measure argues that such warehouses would separate individuals from family and legal counsel, create a mass-incarceration model, and undermine due process and human dignity. It also cites concerns about health, safety, and local resource burdens, and states that this approach conflicts with Hawaii’s values of dignity and respect for all people regardless of immigration status.

Impact

Because H.R. 175 is a resolution rather than a bill, it does not directly change Hawaii statutes or create binding legal requirements. Its practical effect would be to encourage county planning and permitting agencies in Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai to reject permit requests tied to ICE detention warehouses, potentially making it harder for such facilities to be built or expanded in the state. The resolution also signals a policy position to county officials and may influence local permitting decisions, but any actual denial would still depend on existing county and state land-use and permitting authority.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment reflected in the resolution is strongly opposed to ICE detention warehouses and supportive of immigrants’ rights, due process, and humane treatment. The bill text presents a clear moral and policy objection to mass detention and emphasizes Hawaii’s values. No committee transcripts or vote history were provided, so there is no recorded legislative debate or roll-call evidence showing support or opposition beyond the resolution’s stated position.

Contention

The main point of contention is the use of large warehouse facilities for immigration detention, especially by ICE, and whether county permitting authorities should cooperate with or block such projects. Supporters of the resolution view these facilities as dehumanizing, harmful to due process, and burdensome to local communities, while potential opponents would likely argue that the resolution interferes with federal immigration enforcement or exceeds the proper role of local permitting bodies. The resolution itself does not identify named opponents, and no vote or hearing record was provided.

Companion Bills

HI HCR185

Same As Urging All County Planning And Permitting Agencies To Deny All Permit Applications Related To The Construction, Expansion, Or Use Of Warehouses By United States Immigration And Customs Enforcement For The Purpose Of Detaining Individuals Facing Deportation.

Previously Filed As

HI HR197

Urging The County Of Maui And The United States Army Corps Of Engineers To Prioritize And Expedite The Planning, Funding, And Construction Of A Permanent Replacement For The Kulanihakoi Bridge.

HI SCR158

Urging The President Of The United States, And All Members Of Any Current And Future Administration, To Abide By The Laws Of The United States Of America, Including By Complying With Orders Issued By The United States Courts.

HI HCR205

Urging The County Of Maui And The United States Army Corps Of Engineers To Prioritize And Expedite The Planning, Funding, And Construction Of A Permanent Replacement For The Kulanihakoi Bridge.

HI SCR82

Urging The County Of Maui And The United States Army Corps Of Engineers To Prioritize And Expedite The Planning, Funding, And Construction Of A Permanent Replacement For The Kulanihakoi Bridge.

HI SR65

Urging The County Of Maui And The United States Army Corps Of Engineers To Prioritize And Expedite The Planning, Funding, And Construction Of A Permanent Replacement For The Kulanihakoi Bridge.

HI SB161

Relating To County Permitting And Inspection.

HI HB761

Relating To County Permitting And Inspection.

HI SCR127

Urging The President Of The United States To Not Defund Law Enforcement In The State.

HI SR106

Urging The President Of The United States To Not Defund Law Enforcement In The State.

HI SCR227

Urging All Entities Against Using More Than One Million Gallons Of Water Per Year For Recreational Or Ornamental Purposes.

Similar Bills

HI HCR185

Urging All County Planning And Permitting Agencies To Deny All Permit Applications Related To The Construction, Expansion, Or Use Of Warehouses By United States Immigration And Customs Enforcement For The Purpose Of Detaining Individuals Facing Deportation.

MT HB549

Allowing for distillery warehouse receipts

NJ A4370

Requires DCA to establish optional certification courses for planning professionals on development of warehouses and high-density buildings.

CA SB34

Air pollution: South Coast Air Quality Management District: mobile sources: Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

WA HB2207

Concerning warehousing of alcohol.

CT HB05505

An Act Concerning The Use Of Certain Commercial Warehouses For The Housing Or Shelter Of Persons.

HI SB2389

Relating To Warehouse Workers.

HI HB1791

Relating To Warehouse Workers.