STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2173

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.C.R. No. 170

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 170 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE OPTIONS THAT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL AIR SERVICE TO REMOTE AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Transportation to establish a working group to evaluate options that provide additional air service to remote and underserved communities across the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Hawaii Tourism Authority, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Arc of Maui County.

Your Committee finds that as an island state, Hawaii is reliant upon air travel to ensure residents and tourists have timely transportation options to navigate between islands. However, since January 2021, only one passenger airline has provided service to the general public out of Molokai Airport. Your Committee further finds that the limited service between Molokai Airport and other destinations has led to costly ticket prices and limited flights, leaving many residents who travel for essential reasons such as work, medical appointments, and family stranded without a way to and from Molokai. Your Committee therefore finds that this measure seeks to find ways to address ongoing limited air travel issues in underserved and rural communities across the State and provide residents with affordable, consistent options.

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 S.C.R. No. 170 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