STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1608

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 21

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.R. No. 21 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OF THE COUNTY OF MAUI TO COLLABORATE WITH THE KIHEI COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION IN THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KIHEI MAUKA ROAD PROJECT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Transportation and Department of Transportation of the County of Maui to collaborate with the Kihei Community Association in the planning and implementation of the Kihei Mauka Road project.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Kihei Community Association and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Kihei Community Association (KCA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the development and maintenance of Kihei, has been advocating for infrastructure improvements, emphasizing the need for alternative routes to enhance traffic flow and provide reliable transportation options. Your Committee further finds that Kihei has been unable to accommodate the community growth in recent years and is facing significant transportation challenges. KCA has identified construction priorities to alleviate traffic congestion, including the completion of the Kihei Mauka Road. Your Committee concludes that collaboration between state and county transportation departments and KCA is essential to ensure that the planning and implementation of the Kihei Mauka Road align with community needs and sustainable development principles.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 21 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

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CHRIS LEE, Chair