HawaiiHB 4312025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)HouseWALLET

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Sponsored By: Nadine K. Nakamura (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Part I: Establishes requirements for kauhale projects, including reporting requirements by the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions (OHHS). Requires the Auditor to conduct a management and performance audit of the kauhale initiative. Appropriates funds for the continued operation of the kauhale initiative. Part II: Establishes the Ohana Zones Program as a permanent program within OHHS. Appropriates funds to DHS for the continued implementation of the Ohana Zones Pilot Program. Part III: Requires OHHS to submit a report every four months to the Legislature detailing the expenditure of funds appropriated toward the kauhale and ohana zones initiatives and conduct a comprehensive needs assessment. Part IV: Changes references to the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness to "Coordinator on Homelessness". Specifies that the Coordinator on Homelessness shall report directly to the Director of Human Services. (CD1)

DHSOHHSHousingKauhale InitiativeOhana Zones Pilot ProgramReportingAuditorCoordinator on HomelessnessDirector of Human ServicesAppropriationsHHS/HOU, WAM

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Temporary shelter with movable housing sites

Beginning July 1, 2025, the law establishes Ohana Zones for people and families experiencing homelessness. Sites offer temporary shelter and services such as hygiene facilities, food preparation, medical care, social support, and transportation. The state provides $2.525 million for fiscal year 2025–2026 and $5.855 million for 2026–2027 to continue the pilot. The housing office chooses sites, coordinates public-land transfers, and requires private-land agreements allowing publicly funded structures to be temporary or movable; the state or county can relocate them when housing use ends. Off-grid systems are allowed where infrastructure is unavailable, but utility connections are preferred and required when possible unless a more cost-effective renewable option exists.

Rent limits and support for kauhale residents

Beginning July 1, 2025, the law caps kauhale residents’ monthly rent at 30% of area median income—not their own income. Kauhale provides communal affordable housing with individual units and basic support. The state provides $18.575 million for fiscal year 2025–2026 and $24.325 million for 2026–2027. This money supports housing development, rent supplements, staffing, transportation, and services that help residents move into stable housing. Kauhale projects built or developed with state funds must connect to public water, sewer, and electricity.

Community input and safeguards for kauhale construction

The housing office must complete community consultation before construction and development of any kauhale project. Projects estimated to cost more than $1 million need at least two bidders when appropriated funds pay for covered building work. The state has the first right to recover some or all construction funds used against the initiative’s purpose. That recovery right also applies when construction is phased out and the project is contracted with a private entity. This rule does not create a general repayment duty for households.

Regular reviews of homelessness housing programs

The housing office must set annual review standards and monitor kauhale and Ohana Zones, including controls against fraud and waste. Reports must cover beds, occupancy, length of stay, services, departing participants’ next planned destinations, evaluations, and proposed performance measures. The coordinator must submit these reports at least 20 days before each regular legislative session. The office must also report spending, contracts, supporting documents, and facility and operating updates every four months. A state kauhale audit and county-by-county housing needs assessment are due at least 20 days before the 2026 regular session.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Nadine K. Nakamura

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Terez Amato

    Democratic • House

  • Della Au Belatti

    Democratic • House

  • Cory M. Chun

    Democratic • House

  • Elle Cochran

    Republican • House

  • Luke A. Evslin

    Democratic • House

  • Andrew Takuya Garrett

    Democratic • House

  • Tina Nakada Grandinetti

    Democratic • House

  • Mark J. Hashem

    Democratic • House

  • Daniel Holt

    Democratic • House

  • Ikaika Hussey

    Democratic • House

  • Linda Ichiyama

    Democratic • House

  • Greggor Ilagan

    Democratic • House

  • Kim Coco Iwamoto

    Democratic • House

  • Kirstin Kahaloa

    Democratic • House

  • Jeanne Kapela

    Democratic • House

  • KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Darius K. Kila

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Kitagawa

    Democratic • House

  • Sam Satoru Kong

    Democratic • House

  • Matthias Kusch

    Democratic • House

  • LA CHICA

    Affiliation unavailable

  • LAMOSAO

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Mike Lee

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole E. Lowen

    Democratic • House

  • M.

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Lisa Marten

    Democratic • House

  • Scot Z. Matayoshi

    Democratic • House

  • Tyson K. Miyake

    Democratic • House

  • Dee Morikawa

    Democratic • House

  • Ikaika Olds

    Democratic • House

  • Amy A. Perruso

    Democratic • House

  • Mahina Poepoe

    Democratic • House

  • Sean Quinlan

    Democratic • House

  • Jackson D. Sayama

    Democratic • House

  • Gregg Takayama

    Democratic • House

  • Jenna Takenouchi

    Democratic • House

  • Adrian K. Tam

    Democratic • House

  • David A. Tarnas

    Democratic • House

  • Shirley Ann Templo

    Democratic • House

  • Chris Todd

    Democratic • House

  • Justin H. Woodson

    Democratic • House

  • Kyle T. Yamashita

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 244 • No: 10

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 23 • No: 2

House vote • 4/30/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 47 • No: 3

House vote • 4/25/2025

The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments....

Yes: 3 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/25/2025

The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS....

Yes: 3 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 23 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/28/2025

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/12/2025

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/12/2025

The committee(s) on HOU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...

Yes: 5 • No: 0

House vote • 2/28/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 45 • No: 2

House vote • 2/24/2025

The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes ...

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote • 2/12/2025

The committee on HSG recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...

Yes: 7 • No: 1

House vote • 1/30/2025

Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on HSG...

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 1/28/2025

The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Act 309, 07/09/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1422).

    7/9/2025Senate
  2. Act 309, on 07/09/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1422).

    7/9/2025House
  3. Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 821).

    5/2/2025Senate
  4. Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 888).

    5/1/2025House
  5. Transmitted to Governor.

    5/1/2025House
  6. Received notice of change in conferees (Hse. Com. No. 817).

    4/30/2025Senate
  7. Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte). Excused, 0 (none).

    4/30/2025Senate
  8. Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick voting no (3) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1).

    4/30/2025House
  9. Senate Conferees Changed: Senator Aquino added as Co-Chair. Senator Hashimoto discharged as Co-Chair.

    4/25/2025Senate
  10. Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-25-25 5:00PM in conference room 329.

    4/25/2025House
  11. House Conferees Changed: Representative Takenouchi added as Co-Chair. Representative Yamashita discharged as Co-Chair.

    4/25/2025House
  12. Received notice of change in Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 880).

    4/25/2025House
  13. The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.

    4/25/2025Senate
  14. The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Takenouchi, Olds; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Evslin, Pierick.

    4/25/2025House
  15. Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 189) as amended in (CD 1).

    4/25/2025House
  16. Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 04-30-25.

    4/25/2025House
  17. Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 189).

    4/25/2025Senate
  18. 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-25

    4/25/2025Senate
  19. Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-25-25 1:45PM in conference room 329.

    4/24/2025House
  20. Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-24-25 1:30PM in conference room 329.

    4/23/2025House
  21. Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Wednesday 04-23-25 1:30PM in conference room 329.

    4/21/2025House
  22. Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Monday, 04-21-25 1:30PM in conference room 329.

    4/17/2025House
  23. Senate Conferees Appointed: San Buenaventura Chair; Chang, Hashimoto Co-Chairs; Fevella.

    4/16/2025Senate
  24. Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 810).

    4/16/2025House
  25. Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 732).

    4/15/2025Senate

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