STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3252

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2270

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2270, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a task force to develop and explore alternate routes into and out of the Waianae Coast, including through Kolekole Pass and opening Waianae Coast Emergency Access Road.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and one individual.

Your Committees find that the residents of the westside of Oahu face significant challenges due to limited access to roads, which is compounded by the current state of disrepair of Kolekole Pass. Your Committees find that Kolekole Pass plays a critical role as an emergency evacuation route and also has the potential to ease traffic congestion in the area. This measure will improve emergency response, enhance public safety, and alleviate traffic by establishing a task force to develop accessible roadways on the Waianae Coast.

Your Committees note that the House Draft 1 of this measure contains an effective date of July 1, 3000.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2270, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair