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HR 19

URGING THE GOVERNOR TO CREATE A TASK FORCE ON MILITARY PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN THE PUBLIC-MILITARY RELATIONSHIP IN HAWAII.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Diamond Garcia and 3 co-sponsors

Hawaii resolution urges Governor to create military-public relations task force to improve state-military partnership coordination and communication.

The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The recommendation was not adopted. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Iwamoto, Hashem, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 5 Noes: Representative(s) Belatti, Lamosao, Morikawa, Poepoe, Shimizu; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Ichiyama, Woodson.
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Bill Summary · HR 19

Legislative bill overview

HR 19 urges Hawaii's Governor to establish a task force dedicated to developing and strengthening relationships between the state's public and military institutions. The bill is a non-binding resolution expressing legislative intent rather than creating mandatory requirements. It does not allocate funding or establish the task force directly, but instead requests gubernatorial action.

Why is this important

Hawaii has significant military presence with multiple installations that impact the state's economy, infrastructure, and community relations. The quality of public-military relationships affects everything from land use coordination to emergency response protocols to local hiring opportunities. A formal task force could improve communication channels and address long-standing tensions or coordination gaps between civilian and military interests in the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Military presence concerns: Some Hawaii residents and lawmakers have historically expressed concerns about military land use, environmental impacts, and the outsized influence of military interests in state affairs—factors that may explain the 5-2 committee vote against passage
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill does not specify what "strengthening the relationship" means, what the task force should prioritize, or what success would look like, leaving implementation entirely to the Governor's discretion
  • Resource allocation questions: While the resolution itself costs nothing, establishing and operating a task force would require state resources; critics may question whether this addresses Hawaii's more pressing public needs

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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