STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1675-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 56

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.R. No. 56 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT ALTERNATIVE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT METHODS ALONG THE HANA HIGHWAY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Transportation to examine and identify alternative vegetation management methods that would eliminate or significantly reduce the use of synthetic chemical herbicides along the Hana Highway while maintaining roadway safety.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition.

Your Committee finds that maintaining roadway safety along the Hana Highway requires effective vegetation management practices, but the continued use of certain chemical herbicides raises concerns regarding potential impacts to human health, water quality, and sensitive ecosystems. Additionally, residents have indicated a strong interest in working collaboratively with the Department of Transportation to identify safer and more environmentally sustainable alternatives. This measure urges the Department of Transportation to engage with the east Maui community to explore and implement alternative vegetation management methods that maintain roadway safety while minimizing environmental and public health risks.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requesting the Department of Transportation to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

(2) 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.R. No. 56, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 56, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

DARIUS KILA, Chair