STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2259

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2955

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 2955 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HONOAPIILANI HIGHWAY COASTAL MITIGATION PROJECT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds to finance capital improvements for the Honoapiilani Highway coastal mitigation project.

Your Committee did not receive any testimony on this measure.

Your Committee finds that the Honoapiilani Highway is the sole continuous motor vehicle access connecting West Maui to the rest of the island. Consequently, it is indispensable for the movement of residents, goods, emergency services, and essential supplies, including supplies critical to the reconstruction of Lahaina. Your Committee further finds that a segment of the Honoapiilani Highway lies at or near mean sea level and is chronically vulnerable to coastal hazards which cause roadway damage and temporary closures that disrupt the flow of people and material. This measure will finance the relocation of this segment further inland to support the safety, health, and economic well-being of Maui residents.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2955, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2955, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair