STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3268

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1403

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1403, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require 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 while excluding lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from site surveys; and

(2) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, County of Hawai‘i Office of the Mayor, Ulupono Initiative, Keaukaha Pana‘ewa Farmers Association, Friends of Puna's Future, one member of the Hawai‘i County Council, and thirteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Transportation, Department of Budget and Finance, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that Puna is one of the fastest growing areas in the State. By 2035, the Puna district is projected to grow by approximately forty-two thousand residents. Because Hilo is the primary employment center of the region, average traffic volumes on Highway 130 especially will only grow worse. Trips from Hilo to the southernmost portion of Puna would take up to two hours as estimated by the travel demand forecasting model. The purpose of this measure is to require 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.

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, H.D. 1, 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,

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CHRIS LEE, Chair