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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Hawaiʻi's rural communities, including those in Molokai, Lānaʻi, and Hāna, rely heavily on air travel for essential services such as health care, education, and economic opportunities; and
WHEREAS, recent airline service reductions and increased ticket costs have severely impacted the accessibility and affordability of air transportation for residents in these areas; and
WHEREAS, many rural airports in Hawaiʻi have shorter runways, limiting the types of aircraft that can safely operate in these locations; and
WHEREAS, several aircraft models, including the De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, Pilatus PC-12, Cessna 208 Caravan, Dornier 228, and Let L-410 Turbolet, possess short takeoff and landing capabilities that make them suitable for operations on short and unpaved runways; and
WHEREAS, many countries and states have successfully implemented programs to support rural and remote communities with small airplane services, ensuring transportation access for medical, economic, and general connectivity purposes, such as the Essential Air Service in the United States, Norway's Public Service Obligation routes, and Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service; and
WHEREAS, the United States Essential Air Service program provides federal subsidies to airlines operating in regions that would otherwise lack scheduled air transport, benefiting rural communities in multiple states including Alaska, Hawaiʻi, and Montana; and
WHEREAS, Norway's Public Service Obligation-supported air network ensures essential air connectivity for remote and rural areas, subsidizing routes that would not be commercially viable due to low passenger volumes and challenging geography; and
WHEREAS, Alaska's Rural Aviation System has developed a unique network of state-supported small air carriers that provide critical passenger and freight services to isolated communities, supported by state funding for rural airports and maintenance; and
WHEREAS, public-private partnerships with private operators such as Hawaii Life Flight and Guardian Flight currently provide emergency medical air transport to outer islands; and
WHEREAS, alternative airline service providers utilizing short takeoff and landing aircrafts can improve air connectivity by offering more frequent and reliable routes between rural airports and major transportation hubs, enhancing economic opportunities, medical access, and overall quality of life for residents; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Federal Aviation Administration and State Department of Transportation are urged to encourage and facilitate the expansion of alternative airline services that utilize short takeoff and landing-capable aircrafts to better serve rural and remote communities in the State; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Department of Transportation is urged to investigate potential incentives, partnerships, and regulatory changes to encourage and facilitate the operation of short takeoff and landing aircrafts to serve rural communities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Department of Transportation is requested to conduct a study on the feasibility and implementation of a rural air service program in the State, identifying the best options for such programs, including funding mechanisms, regulatory considerations, and potential airline partnerships, including public-private partnerships; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Department of Transportation is requested to submit a report of its finding and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Governor, Director of Transportation, and mayors of each county.