HR144.DOC

WHEREAS, the use of a skateboard on any roadway or any sidewalk located in a business district in the County of Maui is currently prohibited under Maui County Code section 10.52.150; and

WHEREAS, the ordinance has negatively impacted individuals seeking to utilize skateboards as a means of transportation within business districts; and

WHEREAS, environmental concerns and rising gas prices have led to an increase in the use of alternative methods of transportation, such as bicycles and skateboards; and

WHEREAS, obesity is a growing concern across the nation, and physical activities, such as skateboarding and bicycling, provide a healthy alternative to traditional sports because it provides physical exercise and improves balance and coordination; and

WHEREAS, County of Maui residents are allowed and even encouraged to ride bicycles on streets and sidewalks; and

WHEREAS, the concerns and perceptions of County of Maui residents have changed since 1980 when Maui County Code section 10.52.150 was last amended, resulting in an untenable purpose of the ordinance; and

WHEREAS, skateboarding is more than a hobby or leisure activity, it is often the primary means of transportation for many people, especially students; and

WHEREAS, skateboarding is not only considered to be a method of transportation but also a form of artistic expression, a form of recreational activity, and even a profession; and

WHEREAS, skateboarding has become increasingly common with the popularity of the X-Games, an annual sports competition event, and the popularity of Christian Hosoi, a professional skateboarder with connections to Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, skateboarding has its origins deeply rooted in the culture of surfing, for which Hawaii is well-known, as an alternative when there are no waves; and

WHEREAS, skateboarding provides the fundamental skill sets needed in ancillary sports, particularly surfing and snowboarding; and

WHEREAS, longboard skateboarding has shown an increase in popularity creating downhill racing and slalom racing events on the continental United States; and

WHEREAS, the number of skate parks are somewhat limited, resulting in skateboarders illegally skateboarding on sidewalks and roadways; and

WHEREAS, riding a skateboard requires the same level of alertness and defensiveness as riding a bicycle and therefore should be subject to regulations similar to those that govern the use of bicycles; and

WHEREAS, skateboarding on roadways and sidewalks can be appropriately regulated, similar to the regulation of bicycles, to ensure safety for skateboarders, drivers, and pedestrians; and

WHEREAS, allowing the use of skateboards on roadways and sidewalks will help to alleviate traffic congestion and provide an alternative form of transportation that will ultimately promote healthier living; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, that the Maui County Council is requested to amend the Maui County Code section 10.52.150 to allow for the use of skateboards on all public roadways and sidewalks in the County of Maui; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Maui County Council.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Allowing the Use of Skateboards on Public Streets and Sidewalks; Request to Amend Ordinance

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	144
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII