STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1698-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.C.R. No. 70

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. 70 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO ESTABLISH A MAKAKILO DRIVE EXTENSION TASK FORCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the City and County of Honolulu to establish a Makakilo Drive Extension Task Force to:

(1) Streamline and collaboratively advance efforts for the Makakilo Drive extension project; and

(2) Submit quarterly progress reports to the Honolulu City Council and Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Palehua Townhouses Association; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that traffic congestion and limited roadway access in west Oahu, particularly in the Makakilo area, continue to pose safety, mobility, and economic challenges for residents. The long-planned Makakilo Drive extension project has been identified as a critical solution to improve connectivity and emergency response times, yet progress has been hindered by fragmented jurisdiction and lack of coordinated planning among agencies. Your Committee further finds that a dedicated task force could enhance interagency collaboration, promote sustainable infrastructure practices, and improve transparency and accountability in project implementation. This measure urges the City and County of Honolulu to establish a Makakilo Drive Extension Task Force to streamline efforts and advance the project more effectively.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying the members of the task force, including designating the Director of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu as a Co-Chair;

(2) Specifying that the City and County of Honolulu may invite representatives from state agencies;

(3) Specifying that quarterly reports be sent to the state legislators representing Senate District 22 and House District 43;

(4) Requesting the task force to submit an annual report to the Legislature, rather than a quarterly report;

(5) Inserting language that sunsets the task force after two years or upon submission of a final report; and

(6) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 70, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 70, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

DARIUS KILA, Chair