HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.C.R. NO. 205 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 S.D. 1 STATE OF HAWAII HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE COUNTY OF MAUI AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO PRIORITIZE AND EXPEDITE THE PLANNING, FUNDING, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT FOR THE KULANIHAKOI BRIDGE.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.C.R. NO. 205
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.C.R. NO.
205
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
URGING THE COUNTY OF MAUI AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO PRIORITIZE AND EXPEDITE THE PLANNING, FUNDING, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT FOR THE KULANIHAKOI BRIDGE.
WHEREAS, the Kulanihakoi Bridge, located in South Maui, serves as a critical infrastructure component, facilitating transportation and connectivity for residents and visitors alike; and WHEREAS, the Kulanihakoi Bridge was first constructed in 1911 and consisted of four individual reinforced concrete box culverts, which were paved in the 1930's, making the foundation of the bridge one hundred fourteen years old; and WHEREAS, in 2018, plans were initiated to replace the deteriorating box culverts at the Kulanihakoi River Gulch with a raised bridge to improve safety and resilience; and WHEREAS, the initial project faced significant challenges, including the revelation that proposed temporary road crossings mauka of the South Kihei Road were not permissible under existing flood development regulations, leading to project delays and the need for redesign; and WHEREAS, community organizations, such as the Kihei Community Association, have long advocated for a more cost‑effective and improved solution to replace the deteriorated box culverts in the Kulanihakoi River Gulch with a raised bridge, eliminating the need for temporary structures in the riverbed; and WHEREAS, the current temporary construction solution at the Kulanihakoi Bridge may not provide the necessary long-term reliability and safety required for the region's infrastructure needs; and WHEREAS, a permanent replacement of the Kulanihakoi Bridge would enhance transportation safety, improve flood management, and support the economic vitality of South Maui; and WHEREAS, collaboration between the County of Maui and the United States Army Corps of Engineers is essential to design and implement a permanent bridge solution that meets federal, state, and local standards; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the County of Maui and the United States Army Corps of Engineers are urged to prioritize and expedite the planning, funding, and construction of a permanent replacement for the Kulanihakoi Bridge; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body urges the County of Maui and the United States Army Corps of Engineers to engage with local communities, stakeholders, and experts to ensure the new bridge design addresses environmental concerns, cultural significance, and community needs; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Commander of the United States Army Corps of Engineers Pacific Ocean Division, Director of Transportation, Mayor of the County of Maui, Chairperson of the Maui County Council, and Director of the Maui County Department of Public Works. Report Title: County of Maui; United States Army Corps of Engineers; Kulanihakoi Bridge
WHEREAS, the Kulanihakoi Bridge, located in South Maui, serves as a critical infrastructure component, facilitating transportation and connectivity for residents and visitors alike; and
WHEREAS, the Kulanihakoi Bridge was first constructed in 1911 and consisted of four individual reinforced concrete box culverts, which were paved in the 1930's, making the foundation of the bridge one hundred fourteen years old; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, plans were initiated to replace the deteriorating box culverts at the Kulanihakoi River Gulch with a raised bridge to improve safety and resilience; and
WHEREAS, the initial project faced significant challenges, including the revelation that proposed temporary road crossings mauka of the South Kihei Road were not permissible under existing flood development regulations, leading to project delays and the need for redesign; and
WHEREAS, community organizations, such as the Kihei Community Association, have long advocated for a more cost‑effective and improved solution to replace the deteriorated box culverts in the Kulanihakoi River Gulch with a raised bridge, eliminating the need for temporary structures in the riverbed; and
WHEREAS, the current temporary construction solution at the Kulanihakoi Bridge may not provide the necessary long-term reliability and safety required for the region's infrastructure needs; and
WHEREAS, a permanent replacement of the Kulanihakoi Bridge would enhance transportation safety, improve flood management, and support the economic vitality of South Maui; and
WHEREAS, collaboration between the County of Maui and the United States Army Corps of Engineers is essential to design and implement a permanent bridge solution that meets federal, state, and local standards; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the County of Maui and the United States Army Corps of Engineers are urged to prioritize and expedite the planning, funding, and construction of a permanent replacement for the Kulanihakoi Bridge; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body urges the County of Maui and the United States Army Corps of Engineers to engage with local communities, stakeholders, and experts to ensure the new bridge design addresses environmental concerns, cultural significance, and community needs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Commander of the United States Army Corps of Engineers Pacific Ocean Division, Director of Transportation, Mayor of the County of Maui, Chairperson of the Maui County Council, and Director of the Maui County Department of Public Works.
Report Title:
County of Maui; United States Army Corps of Engineers; Kulanihakoi Bridge