STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1509-24
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2024
RE: H.C.R. No. 157
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.C.R. No. 157 entitled:
"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE TO RECOGNIZE AND ADDRESS THE AIR TRANSPORTATION CRISIS ON MOLOKAI AND LĀNA`I,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this
measure is to urge the United States and the State to recognize and
address the air transportation crisis on Molokai and Lana‘i.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from AlohaCare and one individual.
Your Committee
finds that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Molokai and Lana‘i were serviced by three airlines. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, two
of the airlines ceased operations, leaving only a single airline providing
commercial flights for Molokai and Lana‘i residents. As a result, residents of Molokai and Lana‘i face unique challenges in accessing nonemergency but critical
medical care and are often forced to cancel or miss appointments due to
frequent and unexpected flight reassignments and cancellations. Your Committee further finds that federal
regulations complicate and restrict the actions the State may take on its own
to address this issue. Your Committee
believes that this measure demonstrates the State's desire to work with the
federal government to provide safe, reliable air transportation for the
residents of Molokai and Lana‘i.
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 H.C.R. No. 157 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 |
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