STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1490-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   S.B. No. 2375

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 2375, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to bring uniformity to speed limits established along the Daniel K. Inouye Highway on the island of Hawaii while maintaining traffic safety.  Specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Increases the speed limit along certain portions of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway to a maximum of 60 miles per hour; and

     (2)  Requires the establishment of a 45 mile per hour speed limit, or any other speed limit as determined by the Department of Transportation, beginning at the Pohakuloa training area and ending one-half mile east of the Mauna Kea County Park entrance.

A concerned individual testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Transportation testified in support of the intent of this measure.

     Route 200 on the Island of Hawaii, known locally as Saddle Road and recently renamed the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, traverses the width of the Island of Hawaii.  Saddle Road stretches from downtown Hilo to the junction with Hawaii Route 190, near the town of Waimea, and often serves as a shorter route for people traveling from Kona to Hilo.  While once known as one of the most dangerous roads in the State because of numerous one-lane bridges and areas of marginally maintained pavement, most of the road has now been repaved and major parts have new re-alignments constructed to modern standards.  However, numerous complaints have been received by those who use Saddle Road that there are frequent speed limit changes along the entire length of the highway that make traversing the highway difficult.  This measure addresses these concerns while maintaining safety where highway conditions necessitate lower speeds.

     Your Committee notes that concerns were raised as to what constituted a safe speed limit for Saddle Road.  Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by changing the speed limits to unspecified speed limits to facilitate further discussion.

     Your Committee has also amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency and style.

     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 S.B. No. 2375, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2375, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair