RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the completion of the H-3 Interstate Freeway, commonly referred to as the H-3 Freeway, has provided a more convenient route as well as tremendous savings in time and energy for resident commuters and visitors traveling between central O'ahu and the windward side of the island; and

WHEREAS, the H-3 Freeway also provides a panoramic view of the ocean and the mountains that is appreciated by residents and visitors alike traveling within our beautiful State; and

WHEREAS, Tetsuo "Tets" Harano, was instrumental in obtaining the necessary authorization to finance, construct, and complete the H-3 Freeway through his professionalism, perseverance, and dedicated efforts during his service as the State of Hawaii's Department of Transportation Highways Administrator; and

WHEREAS, Tets Harano is a registered Professional Engineer, qualified in civil, structural, hydraulic, and sanitation engineering, and is a registered Professional Land Surveyor; and

WHEREAS, Tets Harano worked as a Construction Cost Clerk, Engineering Inspector, Civil, Construction and Highway Design Engineer, Assistant Chief Engineer, and as the Highways Chief Engineer, prior to serving as Highways Administrator; and

WHEREAS, Tets Harano advocated imaginative and innovative techniques in design, with special concerns for preserving the natural beauty of Hawaii, promoting the advancement of ideas and communication at all levels, and was especially noted for his ability to create an atmosphere of professionalism by encouraging young engineers and technicians to strive for personal improvement; and

WHEREAS, during his more than five decades of service, Tets Harano was involved in a number of unique projects, including the emergency reconstruction of highways damaged by lava flows, rebuilding miles of coastal highway damaged by tsunami activities, overcoming unstable ground conditions, and other high visible construction projects, but the one project that stands out above all others is the H-3 Freeway; and

WHEREAS, it is only fitting to honor and recognize Tets Harano as the key individual who made possible the completion of the H-3 Freeway with its requisite tunnels; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Governor is requested to rename the H-3 Freeway tunnels as the TETSUO HARANO TUNNELS; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Director of Transportation, Mr. Tetsuo Harano, and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Tanabe.

Report Title:

Rename the H-3 tunnels for Tets Harano