STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3962

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 157

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 Government Operations, 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 LĀNAʻI,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the United States and the State to recognize and take action to address the ongoing air transport crisis on Molokai and Lanai.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from AlohaCare, The Queen's Health System, a member of the Maui County Council, and two individuals.

Your Committees find that Molokai and Lanai residents face a unique struggle with the high cost and inconsistency of air travel and the lack of sufficient access to critical medical care. Your Committees further find that federal regulations hinder the State's ability to manage air transportation and thus forestall any attempt to improve the situation for residents of Molokai Lanai. Your Committees conclude that improved air transportation services to Molokai and Lanai would ensure that affected residents have access to a broader range of off-island necessary health care services and other personal appointments, meetings, and needs.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 157, and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Government Operations,

________________________________ ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair