Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 1247 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a contraflow lane on Farrington Highway during morning and evening rush hours.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from a concerned citizen. The DOT and another concerned citizen submitted testimony supporting the general intent of this measure.

Your Committee finds that the traffic situation along Farrington Highway is reaching a crisis point, and that something must be done to alleviate the problem. Since the highway is the only path of ingress and egress to the leeward coast, residents and commuters are forced to sit in unbearable traffic, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours.

Therefore, your Committee supports the intent of this measure, which would dedicate state funds for the purpose of establishing a contraflow lane on Farrington Highway, so that there are two lanes moving in one direction during rush hour.

Based on the testimony submitted by the DOT, however, your Committee amended this measure to give the DOT discretion on what type of traffic easing measures to institute along Farrington Highway.

Your Committee believes that a contraflow lane may be the most appropriate and economical solution in the short run, and the DOT still may utilize that option. However, your Committee believes that the DOT should have discretion to use whatever techniques it finds most effective.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1247, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1247, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.