STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1508-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.R. No. 136

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.R. No. 136 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE TO RECOGNIZE AND ADDRESS THE AIR TRANSPORTATION CRISIS ON MOLOKAI AND LĀNA`I,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the United States and the State to recognize and address the air transportation crisis on Molokai and Lana‘i.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from AlohaCare and one individual.

Your Committee finds that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Molokai and Lana‘i were serviced by three airlines. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, two of the airlines ceased operations, leaving only a single airline providing commercial flights for Molokai and Lana‘i residents. As a result, residents of Molokai and Lana‘i face unique challenges in accessing nonemergency but critical medical care and are often forced to cancel or miss appointments due to frequent and unexpected flight reassignments and cancellations. Your Committee further finds that federal regulations complicate and restrict the actions the State may take on its own to address this issue. Your Committee believes that this measure demonstrates the State's desire to work with the federal government to provide safe, reliable air transportation for the residents of Molokai and Lana‘i.

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 H.R. No. 136 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

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CHRIS TODD, Chair