STAND. COM. REP. NO.  468

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 155

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 155 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to provide an environmentally friendly strategy for the lighting of Hawaii's streets, highways, and harbors by requiring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to comply with county ordinance and standards relating to outdoor lighting.

The University of Hawaii testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Transportation opposed this measure.

     Artificial lighting is increasing on all of the major Hawaiian Islands as metropolitan centers increase.  This increase in artificial light, especially from light sources at Hawaii's airports and harbors, and along Hawaii's highways, now threaten the ability of the telescopes along Mauna Kea and Haleakala to study the night sky.  Your Committee finds that DOT's compliance with county lighting ordinances, along with the use of fully shielded lighting fixtures, will conserve energy and resources while maintaining appropriate outdoor lighting suitable for safety, utility, and security.  Moreover, these fully shielded lighting fixtures are environmentally friendly and are currently in use on the H3 freeway.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 155 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair