Bill > SB2918

This bill mandates the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA), a state agency responsible for developing communities, to establish a physical "Community Action Center" in or near Honolulu's Chinatown, which will serve as a resource for positive urban change. The HCDA can hire non-profit organizations to manage this center and is required to undertake various actions, including identifying community stakeholders, gathering information on zoning and regulations that hinder development, and proposing alternatives, as well as organizing a community design workshop to showcase Chinatown's history. The center will also provide information to property owners and developers, conduct regular design workshops, assess properties in Chinatown, analyze their potential for preservation or new development to increase economic diversity, organize art projects for vacant spaces and building facades, and work towards developing the Iwilei, Chinatown, and downtown areas into a cultural tourism zone. Furthermore, the HCDA must draft a revitalization plan for Chinatown and collaborate with the Honolulu authority for rapid transportation to better integrate rail stations with their neighborhoods. The bill also requires the HCDA to report to the legislature on the center's progress and actions, appropriates $2 million for its establishment and operations for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, but this funding is contingent on the City and County of Honolulu providing an equal amount in matching funds, and the entire act will become effective on July 1, 2050.