STAND. COM. REP. NO. 236

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 290

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation and Energy, to which was referred S.B. No. 290 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds for design, plans, material, construction, and equipment for an extension of the Lahaina Bypass Road from North Keawe Street to beyond Puukolii Road.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that supporting projects that create and maintain an efficient and safe flow of traffic are essential for satisfying the transportation needs of the State.  One of the most inefficient traffic areas in the State is in the Lahaina region of West Maui.  There is only a single two-lane, undivided highway in and out of the popular town of Lahaina.  Traffic congestion on this highway is a constant problem and regularly more than doubles travel times in and out of Lahaina.  The traffic congestion is not only a problem for daily travelers, but also slows emergency responders.  Additionally, the road is suffering from and vulnerable to ongoing erosion from ocean waves and rising sea levels.  To alleviate some of these traffic problems, particularly for those who must travel to and from the West Maui area, it is necessary to connect West Maui to the Lahaina Bypass Road.  Accordingly, this measure authorizes the issuance of $40,000,000 in general obligation bonds for all aspects of an extension of the Lahaina Bypass Road from North Keawe Street to beyond Puukolii Road to effectively connect West Maui to the Lahaina Bypass Road.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Energy that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 290 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair