HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

136

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

  

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

requesting the statewide traffic commanders to coordinate and implement responses to waianae coast traffic concerns.

 

 

WHEREAS, traffic congestion along the Waianae coast continues to worsen as the population of the leeward side of Oahu continues to grow; and

WHEREAS, with only one route in and out of the area, frustrated leeward motorists find themselves caught in a daily traffic jam; and

WHEREAS, in the event of a motor vehicle accident or other emergency, such as past traffic nightmares created by broken water mains, police standoffs, fire-related emergencies, and even hurricanes, residents face even greater traffic-related difficulties and delays; and

WHEREAS, in 2000, the House of Representatives adopted House Resolution No. 160, H.D. 1, requesting the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization to conduct a study to offer solutions to Waianae coast traffic problems and address:

(1) An alternate route to the Waianae coast;

(2) An emergency route to and from the Waianae coast;

(3) Speeding and unsafe driving;

(4) Pedestrian safety; and

(5) Increasing traffic on Farrington Highway;

and

WHEREAS, in December 2002, the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization submitted the report to the 2002 Regular Session of the Hawaii Legislature on the status of Waianae coast transportation studies and projects; and

WHEREAS, despite this recent study of Waianae coast traffic concerns, leeward traffic delays remain a daily problem for Waianae coast residents who are growing increasingly impatient and frustrated at the apparent lack of timely responses to relieve their unique situation; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the Senate concurring, that the statewide traffic commanders of the county police department are requested to coordinate and implement immediate responses to the frequent and lengthy traffic delays along the Waianae coast; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the statewide traffic commanders are requested to submit a report of their findings and recommendations to the Legislature not later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2004; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the statewide traffic commanders are requested, with respect to the report, to:

(1) Identify specific solutions to resolve the Waianae coast traffic concerns, including:

(A) Plans for dealing with traffic accidents and other emergencies, with detail similar to "fire drills" and other emergency plans;

(B) Development of local traffic on side roads to allow residents access to schools and businesses without traveling on Farrington Highway;

(C) Establishment of left-turn pockets at Nanakuli Avenue, Haleakala Avenue, Helelua Avenue, NAD Road, and Au Yong Homestead Road;

(D) Modification of traffic lights; and

(E) Coordination between the state and county Department of Transportation and Department of Transportation Services, respectively;

(2) Indicate the time schedule for implementation of each solution, including the current status of the implementation of each response as of the time that the report is submitted to the Legislature; and

(3) Submit a copy of the report to the Waianae Neighborhood Board at the same time that it is submitted to the Legislature;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the statewide traffic commanders and the Chief of Police for each county, the Director of Transportation, and the Chairperson of the Waianae Neighborhood Board.

 

 
 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Waianae Coast Traffic Concerns; Traffic Commanders