HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1881
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO LAND USE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 205, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§205-    Passenger ropeways; mountains; prohibited. (a) Notwithstanding sections 46-4, 205-2, 205-4.5, 205-5, and 205-6 or any other law to the contrary, passenger ropeways shall be prohibited on mountain lands within all land use districts.

(b) For the purposes of this section:

"Aerial lift" means a ropeway on which passengers are transported in cabins or on chairs.

"Aerial tramway" means a ropeway on which passengers are transported in cable-supported carriers that:

(1) Are not in contact with the ground or terrain; and

(2) Reciprocate between terminals.

"Detachable grip lift" means a monocable or bicable ropeway system on which carriers circulate around the system alternately attaching to and detaching from a moving haul rope.

"Funicular" means a ropeway on which carriers are supported and guided by a guideway, are propelled by means of a haul rope system, and are operated as a single or double reversible system.

"Mountain" means a natural elevation of the earth's surface that rises prominently above the surrounding terrain and satisfies at least two of the following criteria:

(1) The summit or highest point of the landform is at least one thousand feet above the base elevation of the surrounding terrain within a horizontal radius of three miles;

(2) The average natural slope of the landform, measured from base to summit, is fifteen per cent or greater over a horizontal distance of at least one thousand feet;

(3) The landform exhibits a topographic prominence of at least five hundred feet, as determined by United States Geological Survey topographic maps or equivalent geospatial data; or

(4) The landform is formally named and classified as a mountain in the United States Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System or equivalent federal or state registry.

"Passenger ropeway" means a device or system used to transport passengers along a level, inclined, or declined path by means of a haul rope or other flexible elements that is driven by a power unit that remains essentially at a single location. "Passenger ropeway" includes:

(1) Aerial lifts, including detachable grip lifts and chair lifts;

(2) Aerial tramways; and

(3) Funiculars.

"Passenger ropeway" does not include elevators."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Land Use; Passenger Ropeways; Mountains; Prohibition

Description:

Prohibits passenger ropeways on mountain lands within all land use districts.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.