Hawaii Senate Bill SR66

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/22
• Refer: 3/11/22

Caption

Requesting The United States Department Of Transportation To Conduct An Investigation Regarding The Safety Of The Bridges Along Hana Highway.

Impact

The resolution is positioned within the context of a larger federal infrastructure initiative, which allocates significant funding for bridge repairs nationwide. With the federal government having passed an infrastructure bill worth approximately one trillion dollars, of which forty billion is designated for bridge-related projects, the resolution aims to secure necessary federal investigations and potential funding to address safety issues on the Hana Highway. This could lead to improvements in public safety, reduction in traffic incidents, and better management of the interactions between high tourist traffic and local resident needs.

Summary

Senate Resolution 66 requests the United States Department of Transportation to conduct an investigation into the safety of the bridges along the Hana Highway, a major tourist attraction on the island of Maui, Hawaii. The resolution highlights the highway's significance not just for tourism but also the safety concerns that have arisen due to its considerable traffic congestion, with thousands of vehicles traversing the road daily, including rental cars and multi-passenger tour vehicles. The Hana Highway, spanning 64.4 miles, consists of over fifty-nine bridges, many of which may be in need of attention to ensure the safety of both residents and tourists.

Contention

While the bill serves a vital purpose in addressing safety, it may evoke contention among local residents and stakeholders who are concerned about the effects of heavy tourist traffic and the management of natural resources along the highway. The resolution raises awareness of the need for proper assessments of both bridge conditions and overall safety for users of the highway, including the impact on marine life and local ecosystems. Thus, this bill not only appeals for action on infrastructure but also opens discussions on balancing tourism, local resident needs, and environmental concerns.