STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1674-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.C.R. No. 63

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 63 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO DETERMINE AND CLEARLY DEFINE JURISDICTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONOPOU BRIDGE AND TAKE COORDINATED ACTION TO ADDRESS RELATED SAFETY, WILDFIRE RISK, AND EMERGENCY ACCESS CONCERNS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Transportation to:

(1) Determine and clearly define jurisdictional responsibility for Honopou Bridge and take coordinated action to address related safety, wildfire risk, and emergency access concerns; and

(2) Submit a report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2027.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that Honopou Bridge in east Maui serves as a critical access point for residents, agricultural operations, cultural practitioners, and emergency responders, yet its limited load capacity and uncertain jurisdiction have hindered necessary improvements. East Maui communities face heightened risks from wildfire, flooding, and other emergencies, and inadequate bridge capacity may delay or restrict access for essential emergency response vehicles. Additionally, prolonged ambiguity between the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Transportation regarding jurisdictional responsibility has contributed to delays in addressing these safety concerns. This measure urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Transportation to clarify jurisdiction, engage with the community, and take coordinated action to assess, repair, or replace the bridge to ensure safe and reliable emergency access.

Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying certain findings relating to the history of the Honopou Bridge.

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. 63, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Water & Land in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 63, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

____________________________

DARIUS KILA, Chair