Hawaii House Bill HCR112

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/14/25
• Report Pass: 3/28/25
• Engrossed: 3/28/25
• Refer: 3/31/25
• Report Pass: 4/15/25
• Passed: 4/16/25

Caption

Strongly Urging The Honolulu City Council To Adopt A "pedestrian First" Policy Via Ordinance.

Impact

If adopted, this resolution would influence city planning and policy frameworks by mandating a focus on pedestrian accommodations in the design and development of urban infrastructure. The 'pedestrian first' approach is designed to inform trade-offs in transportation planning, ensuring that the needs of pedestrians are prioritized alongside vehicular traffic considerations. This could result in significant changes to how streets and public spaces are engineered, potentially leading to reduced pedestrian injuries and fatalities.

Summary

HCR112 is a House Concurrent Resolution strongly urging the Honolulu City Council to adopt a 'pedestrian first' policy via ordinance. The resolution emphasizes the importance of walking as a fundamental mode of transportation and aims to establish pedestrians as the highest priority in street planning and infrastructure design. It highlights the need for decision-making processes that prioritize pedestrian safety, especially in high-risk areas where pedestrian fatalities and injuries are significantly high. The resolution references the Oahu Pedestrian Plan, a long-term action plan finalized by the Department of Transportation Services in July 2022, which seeks to create safe and accessible streets for all.

Contention

While the resolution promotes pedestrian safety, there may be contention regarding its implementation and impact on other forms of transportation. Critics might argue that prioritizing pedestrians could lead to congestion or limit mobility for vehicles. Additionally, discussions may arise about the allocation of resources and how effectively the city can implement the infrastructure changes necessary to accommodate a 'pedestrian first' policy. City officials and transportation planners will need to navigate these challenges to create a balanced approach that meets the diverse needs of the community.