HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

135

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

Requesting the Department of Transportation to study and recommend solutions to resolve supply chain issues caused by barge delays to Lānaʻi.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, many of Lānaʻi's small businesses rely on the delivery of produce and other goods through interisland barges; and

 

     WHEREAS, poor weather and ocean conditions, such as Kona weather systems, have caused shipping companies, such Young Brothers, to delay barge services to Lānaʻi, with severe storms sometimes causing barges to be delayed for weeks; and

 

     WHEREAS, these delays have caused local businesses on Lānaʻi to temporarily close or reduce service and have resulted in supply shortages for residents; and

 

     WHEREAS, alternatives to barge transportation, such as air freight, are too expensive for many of Lānaʻi's small businesses; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Transportation is requested to study and recommend solutions to address the supply chain issues caused by delays in the timely delivery of barged goods to Lānaʻi; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in performing the study and considering recommendations, the Department of Transportation is requested to consider options that involve increasing storage facilities near Kaumalapau Harbor for refrigerated and non-perishable goods; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to work with businesses that provide barge services or otherwise deliver goods to Lānaʻi and other stakeholders in performing the study; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2025; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Supply Chain; Lānaʻi; Study; Severe Weather; Department of Transportation