STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1944

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 205

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 205 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE COUNTY OF MAUI AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO PRIORITIZE AND EXPEDITE THE PLANNING, FUNDING, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT FOR THE KULANIHAKOI BRIDGE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the County of Maui and the United States Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize and expedite the planning, funding, and construction of a permanent replacement for the Kulanihakoi Bridge.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from three individuals.

Your Committees find that the Kulanihakoi Bridge, located in South Maui, serves as a critical infrastructure component, facilitating transportation and connectivity for residents and visitors alike. Your Committees further find that the Kulanihakoi Bridge is currently one hundred fourteen years old and has faced significant deterioration. In 2018, plans were initiated to improve the bridge's safety and resilience, but the project experienced significant challenges due to flood development regulations. Your Committees believe that a long-term solution is needed to replace the current temporary construction at Kulanihakoi Bridge. Therefore, this measure urges the County of Maui and United States Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize and implement a permanent bridge solution to enhance transportation safety, improve flood management, and support the economic vitality of South Maui.

Your Committees have amended this measure by specifying that a certified copy of this measure be transmitted to the Director of the Maui County Department of Public Works.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 205, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 205, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs,

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair