STAND. COM. REP. NO. 342-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2175

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2175 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE KAAAWA-HAUULA COMMUNITY-BASED LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Department of Transportation to develop a community-based long-range transportation plan for coastal erosion along Kamehameha Highway in Kaaawa and Hauula.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Transportation; Ko‘olauloa Hawaiian Civic Club; Kaʻaʻawa Community Association; and seven individuals.

Your Committee finds that as the challenges posed by climate change and coastal erosion continue to escalate, the State must find ways to preserve access to rural communities along the State's coastlines. For certain communities on east Oahu, preserving the integrity of vital transportation infrastructure is important to maintain uninterrupted access to goods, services, and emergency assistance. This measure ensures that community members and organizations are involved in the development of a community-based long-range transportation plan to address coastal erosion and road conditions in impacted rural communities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Including the community of Punaluu in the development of the community-based long-range transportation plan;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2175, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2175, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair