Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2737, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs 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. This measure also requires the Department of Transportation to determine the costs of strengthening the Honopou bridge to allow fire trucks to safely cross and reach area residents.

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

Your Committee finds that because there has been a jurisdictional dispute between the State and the County of Maui, the Honopou road and bridge have not been maintained or improved. The lack of maintenance and improvement has previously resulted in a fire truck failing to cross the bridge to respond to a call for assistance for fear that the truck would not be able to make it safely across the bridge. As a result, a fire destroyed a home in the district. This measure will require the Attorney General to assist in resolving ownership issues relating to Honopou road, including Honopou bridge, and will require the Department of Transportation to determine the costs of strengthening the Honopou bridge to allow fire trucks to safely cross and reach area residents.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2737, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.