Hawaii Senate Bill SCR193

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23
• Report Pass: 4/4/23
• Engrossed: 4/5/23
• Refer: 4/11/23
• Report Pass: 4/17/23
• Passed: 4/18/23

Caption

Requesting The City And County Of Honolulu To Relocate The Bus Turnaround Off Makau Street To Keaau Beach Park Or The Surrounding Area.

Impact

The resolution aims to alleviate safety issues by suggesting the relocation of the bus turnaround to a more spacious and suitable area at Keaau Beach Park. Currently, the existing turnaround at Makau Street has led to several complaints and has been implicated in local infrastructure issues, including multiple water main breaks in that vicinity. With an emphasis on public safety, the resolution hopes to enhance the overall functionality of public transport services in the area while addressing community concerns.

Summary

SCR193 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the City and County of Honolulu to relocate the bus turnaround off Makau Street to Keaau Beach Park or the surrounding area. The bill recognizes the challenges faced by residents of Makau Street, a narrow two-way street bordered by curbside parking, which has seen increased bus traffic and associated safety concerns. Notably, residents have expressed their worries about speeding buses and the risk of accidents involving pedestrians, particularly beachgoers and children using the street to access Makaha Beach Park.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SCR193 appears to be constructive as it addresses significant community safety issues while also seeking solutions to improve public transportation logistics. By directing resources and attention to the public transport system within Honolulu, the resolution is seen as a positive step toward safeguarding public welfare among residents and visitors in the area.

Contention

One notable point of contention arises from the current inadequacies of the Keaau Beach Park parking lot to serve as a bus turnaround, as it is described as too narrow for this purpose. The resolution acknowledges this limitation and implicitly suggests that further planning and consideration will be required to successfully implement the relocation of the bus routes. Therefore, while the proposal is well-intentioned, the logistics of the proposed changes remain a point for ongoing discussion among stakeholders.