HB 2454 Summary

• Makes an emergency appropriation to the Department of Health for fiscal year 2023-2024 for asbestos remediation, temporary relocation costs if necessary, and preliminary site redevelopment planning at Kinau Hale (1250 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu).

• Finds that multiple asbestos disturbance incidents have occurred at the Department of Health's main offices at Kinau Hale, though air sampling confirmed fibers are below OSHA's actionable threshold of 0.1 fibers/cc and the industry clearance level of 0.01 fibers/cc.

• Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2023-2024 has already been exceeded by $1,005,342,735 (9.4 percent) and that this Act will further exceed the ceiling.

• Identifies the building's poor overall condition and deteriorating state as posing risk of a public health emergency from major incidents such as roof leaks.

• Notes that Kinau Hale's location adjacent to private medical facilities makes it suitable for mixed-use redevelopment through a public-private partnership.