STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1457

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.R. No. 5

 

 

 

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. 5 entitled:

 

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO IMPROVE ACCESS OF THEBUS IN OAHU'S RURAL COMMUNITIES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the City and County of Honolulu to improve access of TheBus in Oahu's rural communities.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that TheBus is the primary public transportation service on Oahu, especially for Oahu's rural communities.  Additionally, for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and low-income residents living in rural areas, utilizing TheBus may be the only means to obtain groceries, access health care services, attend classes, or commute to work.  Further, certain areas such as the neighborhood encompassing Kapilina Beach Homes in Ewa Beach, Oahu, do not have safe infrastructure for pedestrians and users of TheBus, creating hazardous conditions.  While TheBus operates one hundred seven different routes throughout the island, creating greater access to public transportation services will allow Hawaii's people to safely commute between destinations.  This measure prioritizes the safety of Hawaii's people while urging the expansion of key city infrastructure to provide more residents with opportunities to utilize public transportation.

 

     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. 5 and recommends its adoption.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair