Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, (District 1, Hilo, Pauka‘a, Papaikou, Pepe‘ekeo) Chair of the Senate Committee on Water and Land, issued the following statement regarding the decision to defer House Bill 2690 HD2 SD1 (HB2690), a measure to address structural problems with Hawaiʻi’s Water Commission and fund remediation of pollution from Red Hill:
"I am greatly disappointed in the outcome on HB2690. Despite agreement between both legislative bodies that this bill is urgently needed and very important – not just for Red Hill, but also for Lahaina. I was deeply touched by all of the students and others from Maui who flew to Oʻahu to learn about civics and our legislative process. I'd like to thank the UH Richardson School of Law students and the Lahaina Strong advocates who fought so hard to keep this bill alive. I will work tirelessly with these advocates over the interim to ensure we have a strong measure for the next legislative session."
Significant provisions in the comprehensive bill include the creation of a Red Hill Special Fund for remediation, addition of staff positions for Red Hill WAI policy coordination, allowing the Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) to elect its own chairperson, allowing the CWRM to hire independent legal counsel, and providing CWRM the authority to take action during an emergency water shortage.