THE SENATE                           S.C.R. NO.            160
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                    SENATE  CONCURRENT
                        RESOLUTION
  REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO EXAMINE COSTS
    AND WAYS TO CONNECT THE NORTH SHORE TO THE WAIANAE COAST
    OVER THE KAENA POINT WHILE AVOIDING THE KAENA POINT
    NATURAL AREA RESERVE.
 


 1        WHEREAS, the island of Oahu, like many of the other major
 2   islands has a paved road that does not completely
 3   circumnavigate the island's entire perimeter.  Instead,
 4   Farrington Highway ends at the North Shore coastline at
 5   Mokuleia about a mile from Camp Erdman, and at the southern
 6   coastline at Waianae; and
 7   
 8        WHEREAS, the area where no road exists is referred to as
 9   Kaena Point, where the dirt road ultimately meets at Kaena
10   Point Natural Area Reserve, a hot, dry, and environmentally
11   sensitive ecosystem containing many endemic and rare plant
12   species; and
13   
14        WHEREAS, the entire Kaena Point area is also known for its
15   high waves, strong currents, spectacular coast and ocean views,
16   and its unique country towns of Makaha, Waialua, and Mokuleia;
17   and
18   
19        WHEREAS, for many years, there has been some interest in
20   connecting the two ends of the highway across the intervening
21   land area, but avoiding the point encompassing the Natural Area
22   Reserve; and
23   
24        WHEREAS, communities along these respective stretches of
25   Farrington Highway could benefit from a road connection, with
26   easier access to Oahu's second city, and tourists could drive
27   from one side of the island to the other, helping to boost the
28   economy of the area by stopping at the shops and restaurants
29   along the highway; and
30   
31        WHEREAS, a connected highway could also provide alternate
32   access or egress in times when the highway is closed along one
33   coastline, as has occurred in the past due to high wave action
34   washing away the road or hazardous industrial spills, road
35   accidents, or even hostage taking; now, therefore,
36   

 
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                                  S.C.R. NO.            160
                                                        
                                                        


 1        BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twentieth Legislature
 2   of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2000, the House of
 3   Representatives concurring, that the Department of
 4   Transportation is requested to examine ways to connect the
 5   North Shore of Oahu to the Waianae Coast around the area of
 6   Kaena Point, but not traversing any part of the Kaena Point
 7   Natural Area Reserve; and
 8   
 9        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of
10   Transportation is also requested to provide an estimate of
11   costs for constructing the roadway connection; and
12   
13        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of
14   Transportation is requested to report its findings and
15   recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days
16   before the convening of the Regular Session of 2001; and 
17   
18        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this
19   Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of
20   Transportation.
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24                         OFFERED BY:  ____________________________