STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1255

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 47

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Transportation and Energy and Water and Land, to which was referred S.R. No. 47 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE NEED FOR AND FEASIBILITY OF A FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN ALOHA TOWER MARKETPLACE AND SAND ISLAND STATE RECREATION AREA,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Department of Land and Natural Resources, City and County of Honolulu, Hawai‘i Pacific University, and interested stakeholders, to conduct a study on the need for and feasibility of a ferry service between Aloha Tower Marketplace and Sand Island State Recreation Area.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from one individual.

     Your Committees find that there are a number of businesses on Sand Island that employ workers who commute daily from various areas on Oahu.  Sand Island Access Road is the only roadway that provides access to Sand Island, which often leads to traffic congestion and delays and is burdensome to the many employees who commute daily to Sand Island.  Your Committees further find that a ferry service that provides transportation between Aloha Tower Marketplace and Sand Island State Recreation Area would alleviate the traffic strain on Sand Island Access Road, improve the commute for employees who work on Sand Island by providing an alternate transportation option, and encourage more tourism-related activities at Sand Island State Recreation Area.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Energy and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 47 and recommend that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Energy and Water and Land,

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair