Resident opposes eminent-domain authority in bill to expand Wailuku River State Park

Chair Lee introduced HB 2426, a bill authorizing funds and eminent-domain authority for expansion of Wailuku River State Park, and took public testimony and agency responses before deferring decision.

Aaron Lee, who had been listed on the sign-up sheet, testified in opposition. He said the expansion "removes land that could be used for housing, from potential supply of housing" and argued that acquiring and maintaining roughly "203 acres" would be costly and possibly unnecessary. He asked the committee to stop the measure.

State parks staff told the committee that acquisition is an initial step and that land-division work and later funding for planning and maintenance would follow. When asked about costs and whether TMKs (tax-map keys) listed in the bill are acceptable, parks staff replied they are working with property owners and that eminent-domain compensation would be market value; staff said they did not have a cost estimate "at this time." Committee members pressed for clarity on which parcels are included and on whether the TMKs listed reflect the properties in question.

Because several technical questions and concerns were raised, the committee deferred decision-making on HB 2426 until Wednesday the 18th to allow staff to provide additional information.