STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1465

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 53

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.R. No. 53 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE OF HAWAII, CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, FEDERAL ENTITIES, AND PRIVATE LAND OWNERS TO WORK TOGETHER TO IMMEDIATELY OPEN THE SECTION OF THE WAIANAE COAST EMERGENCY ACCESS ROAD EXTENDING PAAKEA ROAD OUT TO LUALUALEI NAVAL ROAD FOR PUBLIC USE ON A PERMANENT BASIS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the State of Hawaii, City and County of Honolulu, federal entities, and private land owners to work together to immediately open the section of the Waianae Coast Emergency Access Road extending Paakea Road out to Lualualei Naval Road for public use on a permanent basis.

Your Committee did not receive any testimony on this measure.

Your Committee finds that Farrington Highway is the main route of travel for communities of the Leeward Coast of Oahu and is the only public highway that leads into and out of the region. As a major artery for the Leeward Coast, Farrington Highway has experienced lane closures or complete shutdowns on numerous occasions due to traffic accidents, severe weather, and construction work. However, a system of roads known collectively as the Waianae Coast Emergency Access Road, a network under the jurisdiction of the Department of Emergency Management of the City and County of Honolulu, are gated unless opened when deemed necessary or when requested by the Honolulu Police Department.

Your Committee further finds that while the Legislature adopted H.C.R. No. 197 in 2017, urging the Department of Transportation to work in conjunction with the Departments of Emergency Management and Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu and Honolulu Police Department to assess the feasibility of opening the Waianae Coast Emergency Access Road, work has yet to be completed on opening the locked gates for a parallel route. This measure urges a multi-departmental approach to fulfill a critical need for an alternate route along the Leeward Coast to alleviate traffic and improve public safety.

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. 53 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