Hawaii House Bill HCR163

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23

Caption

Urging The Mayor Of The City And County Of Honolulu, Honolulu City Council, And Honolulu Authority For Rapid Transportation To Find A Means To Fund The Construction Of The Park-and-ride Garage At Waiawa Station And Urging The Department Of Transportation Services Of The City And County Of Honolulu To Establish Additional Transit Services Between Central Oahu And Waiawa Station.

Impact

The absence of the park-and-ride garage is anticipated to severely limit the utility of the rail transit line for residents in Central Oahu. The garage was projected to accommodate 1,600 vehicles, enabling residents to easily access the rail system and potentially alleviating traffic congestion in the area. The resolution stresses the importance of the garage in increasing rail usage and reducing commute times for many residents, thereby enhancing overall public transport accessibility within the region.

Summary

HCR163 is a House Concurrent Resolution from the State of Hawaii urging the mayor of Honolulu, the city council, and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation to identify funding sources for the construction of a park-and-ride garage at Waiawa Station. This garage is a crucial component of the Honolulu Rail Transit Project, which has undergone modifications due to financial constraints. Originally planned to cover 20 miles with 21 stations, the project has since been truncated to approximately 18.75 miles with only 19 stations due to a financial recovery plan approved by the Federal Transit Administration in September 2022.

Contention

In addition to urging funding, HCR163 calls for the establishment of additional transit services between Central Oahu and Waiawa Station, highlighting the need for improved connectivity. The proposal is part of a broader strategy stemming from the Central Oahu Transportation Study conducted in 2019, which aimed to tackle traffic congestion and long commute times. However, implementing these recommendations is contingent on securing funding for both the garage and additional services, which may face challenges based on budget priorities and public support.