Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Government Operations and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2737, H.D. 1, entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Attorney General to assist in resolving ownership issues relating to Honopou road, including Honopou bridge, of the Honopou district in Maui County, and to require the Department of Transportation to determine the costs of strengthening Honopou bridge to allow firetrucks to safely cross and reach area residents.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Maui County Mayor, and a Maui Council Member.

According to testimony of the Department of Transportation, the legal owner of Honopou Road is unknown. This raises a predicament for the repair and maintenance of the road and of Honopou bridge. The current situation could be disastrous for public safety if the bridge collapses under the weight of vehicles, or if firetrucks refuse to cross the bridge for fear of such a result.

Your Committees have amended this measure by changing the effective date to upon approval.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Government Operations and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2737, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2737, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.