The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on Feb. 17, 2026, for consideration by the Senate Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Energy and Governmental Affairs.
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Feb. 17, 2026, 3:03 p.m.
Hawaii State Capitol
Conference Room 224 and Videoconference
To: Senate Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts
Sen. Chris Lee, Chair
Sen. Lorraine R. Inouye, Vice Chair
Senate Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Sen. Glenn Wakai, Chair
Sen. Stanley Chang, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns
TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF SB2007 — RELATING TO LAND USE DECISION-MAKING
Aloha Chairs, Vice Chairs and other members of the Committees,
The Grassroot Institute supports SB2007, which would give the counties authority to amend district boundaries up to 25 acres for the purpose of residential housing, agricultural workforce housing, long-term rentals or workforce fee simple ownership.
This measure correctly identifies one of the causes of Hawaii’s housing crisis: excessive red tape. As Grassroot explained in its 2020 report “Reform the Hawaii LUC to encourage more housing,” the state Land Use Commission’s authority over district boundary amendments greater than 15 acres often puts a roadblock in the way of new housing projects.[1]
The LUC review process for DBAs can be lengthy and complicated. Applicants must navigate multiple rounds of filings as well as possible appeals, which can significantly delay even modest housing developments. These delays and the uncertainty that accompanies the approval process add to the cost of construction, which ultimately drives up home prices.
Moreover, LUC review of DBAs often duplicates work done by county councils, zoning boards and planning departments. When a proposed project already complies with county plans and ordinances, redundant state-level review undermines local authority without significantly advancing the public interest.
Expanding the counties’ authority to approve DBAs for new housing would help streamline the approval process while reducing the burden on the LUC.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Ted Kefalas
Director of strategic campaigns
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
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[1] Jackson Makanikeoe Grubbe, “Reform the Hawaii LUC to encourage more housing,” Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, September 2020.
