STAND. COM. REP. NO. 300-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1403

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1403 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AN ALTERNATE ROUTE SITE SELECTION SURVEY IN PUNA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Department of Transportation, in collaboration with the County of Hawaii, to conduct site surveys on the island of Hawaii to identify the most suitable location for an alternate route in Puna below Highway 130.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i, one member of the Hawai‘i County Council, County of Hawai‘i Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Ulupono Initiative, Sacred Heart Church Pahoa, Nanawale Community Association Board of Directors, Kalapana Seaview Estates Community Association, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Keaukaha-Pana‘ewa Farmers Association, Kūpuna for the Mo‘opuna, and seven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Budget and Finance, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that Keeau-Pahoa Road, or Highway 130, is the primary arterial and only access route into the southeastern portion of the Puna area. Due to this limited road access, the residents of Puna experience severe traffic congestion, which impacts the quality of life for residents and may also result in fatal delays of emergency services. This measure is a first step in providing an alternative for the residents of Puna to alleviate existing and future traffic congestion.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that in conducting the site surveys, land under the jurisdiction of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands shall be excluded from consideration;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of 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 H.B. No. 1403, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1403, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair