STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1597

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 55

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.R. No. 55 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING TO WIDEN KUAKINI HIGHWAY BETWEEN LAKO STREET AND KAMEHAMEHA III ROAD ON HAWAII ISLAND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Transportation to prioritize funding to widen Kuakini Highway between Lako Street and Kamehameha III Road on Hawaii island.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i.

Your Committee finds that the island of Hawaii is experiencing a growth in population and as an effect, an increase in difficulties generated by a significant increase in traffic, particularly between Lako Street and Kamehameha III Road. North Kona's population increased by almost 4,000 people to nearly 42,000 from 2010 to 2016, resulting in significant traffic congestion on Kuakini Highway. Your Committee finds that expanding Kuakini Highway beyond Lako Street to Henry Street will provide additional safety measures and road improvements. These improvements will increase efficiency and will help to ease the amount of traffic congestion in the area.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Expanding the widening project from Henry Street rather than Lako Street and requesting the Department of Transportation to consider a continuous four-lane highway in the area;

(2) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 55, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means, in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 55, S.D. 1.

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

________________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair