Hawaii House Bill HB823

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/25
• Refer: 1/23/25

Caption

Relating To Emergency Evacuation Routes.

Impact

Should this bill pass, it would require the Department of Transportation, in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu, to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing emergency access roads. Notably, the bill proposes the development of an improvement plan, which may include the construction of new evacuation routes or upgrades to current roads to meet established safety and capacity standards. This is particularly essential given the looming concern that the recently scheduled road opening may not sufficiently handle higher evacuation traffic volumes. Enhanced evacuation infrastructure could significantly diminish the risks faced by the communities during emergencies.

Summary

House Bill 823 aims to improve emergency evacuation routes along the Waianae coast of Hawaii, particularly focusing on the communities from Makaha to Kahe Point. The residents of this area currently rely heavily on the Farrington Highway, which is the main access route but poses risks during emergencies due to its singularity and the inadequacy of existing emergency access roads. The bill is driven by findings that highlight the need for multiple, safe, and efficient routes for evacuation in the event of natural disasters or accidents. The assessment and planning mandated by the bill are intended to alleviate the risks associated with relying on just one evacuation route.

Contention

The bill indicates a collaborative approach by allowing engagement with local residents to gather input and address their safety concerns regarding proposed evacuation routes. It also expands the possible involvement of the United States Navy in the assessment and planning stages, which could provide additional expertise or resources. While the bill appears to have a clear purpose of enhancing public safety, potential points of contention could arise from discussions about prioritization of resources or the practicality of restoring old military roads. Critics might voice concerns over whether the funds appropriated for the assessment and improvement plans are sufficient or effectively allocated.