HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

346

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to coastal highways.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the erosion and inundation of the Honoapiilani highway on the island of Maui has created a critical situation for access to one of the largest visitor destinations in Hawaii.  Moreover, it has created a public safety hazard for the residents of west Maui, as well as many of the residents of Maui who commute daily to work in the area.

     The legislature further finds that a strategic plan is needed to proactively develop a managed retreat of the most critical sections of the Honoapiilani highway while creating a plan for coastal rehabilitation of the area.  The development of a strategic plan to address the effects of coastal erosion will help to create an environmentally sound interface between coastal highways and the ocean and coastal areas.  It is imperative that such a strategic plan not only include the restoration of beaches but also the removal of existing sea walls that have caused massive erosion problems and damage to the nearshore environment and have exacerbated local erosion of the areas along coastal highways, including the Honoapiilani highway.  The legislature finds that to undertake and execute a strategic plan of this magnitude, the department of transportation must work cooperatively with any relevant educational institution or federal, state, or county agencies.

     The legislature finds that this cooperative planning effort, as well as input from the west Maui community, will allow for the efficient and effective development of a strategic retreat and restoration plan.  The legislature further finds that the strategic plan must include a redundant plan for the conversion of cane haul roads into county roads along the Honoapiilani highway and other coastal highway routes to preserve, protect, and restore the critical nearshore environment while preserving and protecting access to west Maui in the face of rising sea levels.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of transportation to work in conjunction with any relevant educational institution or federal, state, or county agency to develop a strategic plan to address the effects of coastal erosion on coastal highways.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 264, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§264-    Coastal highways; strategic plan.  Beginning in 2020, the department of transportation shall, in conjunction with any relevant educational institution or federal, state, or county agency deemed appropriate by the department of transportation, develop a strategic plan to address the effects of coastal erosion on coastal highways and shall update and revise the plan as necessary every five years.  At a minimum, the plan shall include any strategies and necessary actions, including any proactive strategies and actions, to:

     (1)  Prevent or reduce coastal erosion affecting coastal highways including the replenishment of sand and removal of sea walls;

     (2)  Relocate coastal highways; and

     (3)  Determine and create alternative routes for coastal highways that are further inland.

     The department of transportation shall, after consultation any relevant educational institution or federal, state, or county agency deemed appropriate by the department of transportation, submit a copy of the strategic plan to the governor before January 1 of the year after which the plan was drafted, updated, or revised.

     For the purposes of this section, "coastal highway" means a state highway as defined in section 264-1 that is located within five hundred yards of any coastline."

     SECTION 3.  The department of transportation shall submit a report on the progress of the development of a strategic plan to address the effects of coastal erosion on coastal highways, including any findings, recommendations, and any necessary proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2021. SECTION 4.  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 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the development of a strategic plan to address the effects of coastal erosion on coastal highways.

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

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Highways; Coastal Highways Preservation; Strategic Plan; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the department of transportation to work in conjunction with any relevant educational institution or federal, state, or county agency to develop a strategic plan to protect coastal highways from the effects of coastal erosion and update the plan as needed every five years.  Requires a report to the legislature.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

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