HB1606

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1606
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The de facto population of the county of Maui increased thirty-five per cent from 134,569 in 1990 to 181,534 in 2005. The populations living in Kahului, Kihei, and Lahaina are the three highest in Maui county with the exception of Wailuku. For transportation purposes, Wailuku, which ranks third in population behind Kahului and Kihei, can be considered as a twin of Kahului -- the two contiguous towns almost as one. These towns are also among the favorite destinations of visitors to Maui and the roads connecting them are heavily traveled. The purpose of this Act is to determine the cost feasibility of constructing a fixed rail system of transportation connecting the Kahului-Wailuku area, Kihei, and Lahaina.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of transportation shall conduct a study to determine the cost feasibility of constructing a fixed rail system of transportation connecting the Kahului-Wailuku area, Kihei, and Lahaina on the island of Maui. The department shall identify and select various fixed rail transportation systems for examination. The department shall also consider and examine all relevant potential issues such as land use, lease or purchase of land, the exercise of eminent domain, environmental effects, disruption to existing traffic flow, as well as actual planning, engineering, and construction costs of the system with minimum and maximum number of stations on the line and their location, including the adequate supply of labor to carry out such a project.

(b) The department of transportation shall submit an interim report and a final report to the governor and the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2008 and 2009, respectively. The reports shall contain final cost estimates and a detailed discussion of potential impediments to the construction of a fixed rail system on Maui and recommendations to overcome these impediments.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for the department of transportation to conduct a study to determine the cost feasibility of constructing a fixed rail system of transportation connecting the Kahului-Wailuku area, Kihei, and Lahaina on the island of Maui.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________