DRIP committee seeks counsel, votes to adopt SLR language and other amendments

The DRIP committee voted to adopt recommended drafting language that references the Hawaii Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Commission's sea level rise exposure area (SLREXA) definition and agreed to rely on the appendix definition rather than hard‑coding a fixed 3.2‑foot figure in policy text.

Carla Nakata summarized executive session advice under Hawaii Revised Statutes, and deputy corporation counsel asked the committee to convene behind closed doors to review rights, duties and liabilities affecting general-plan language. The committee entered executive session under HRS §92‑5(a)(4) and §92‑5(a)(8) by voice vote (recorded as 8 ayes, 0 noes, 1 excused). After reconvening, staff reported legal guidance and the committee proceeded with policy deliberations informed by counsel's summary.

Votes on specific amendments were recorded on the public record. For example, the motion to adopt the recommended 2.3.0.1 changes passed with 8 ayes, 0 nos and 1 excused member; the motion to enter executive session passed 8–0 with one excused. The committee instructed staff and counsel to return with implementation language where legal constraints could arise.