RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii at Manoa plays a vital role in the larger community, providing education and research services and entertainment and enrichment activities that transform student life and the economy and society of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, presently, the University of Hawaii at Manoa is physically separated from neighboring business districts by the H-1 Lunalilo freeway, thus impeding access and interaction between the University population and the community, services, and amenities in these districts; and

WHEREAS, improvements and redesign of the H-1 Lunalilo freeway between the Kapiolani and University off-ramps are currently required to improve safety and efficiency on this freeway; and

WHEREAS, as part of the improvement and redesign project, the Department of Transportation will have the opportunity to examine the feasibility of undergrounding this section of the freeway; and

WHEREAS, the undergrounding of the H-1 Lunalilo freeway in the University area will create a revitalized "University District" by providing a contiguous link between the campus and neighboring businesses, thus promoting a healthy, diverse, and interactive community that conforms with the University's Manoa setting and is inviting to students, faculty, residents, and visitors; and

WHEREAS, federal funding may be available for this improvement and redesign project; and

WHEREAS, the land area made available by the undergrounding of the freeway could be put to uses that would support and benefit the University of Hawaii at Manoa, neighboring business districts, and the State's economy, including mixed use that incorporates additional low-rise student housing, amenities, gathering places, and local retail shops with loft-style residences; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Transportation is requested to study the feasibility of undergrounding the H-1 Lunalilo freeway in the area adjacent to the University of Hawaii at Manoa and obtaining federal funds for the undergrounding as part of a larger improvement and redesign project; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to report its findings and recommendations including cost estimates to accomplish the undergrounding, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2006; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation, the Chairperson of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, and the Chairpersons of the Manoa, McCully/Moiliili, and Diamond Head/Kapahulu/Saint Louis Neighborhood Boards.

Report Title:

Undergrounding H-1 Freeway; University of Hawaii