Hawaii House Bill HR14

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/13/25
• Refer: 3/14/25

Caption

Requesting The City And County Of Honolulu To Transfer Its Authority To Construct A Makakilo Drive Extension To The State.

Impact

The proposed construction is a long-promised improvement that aims to alleviate transportation issues in Makakilo. The lack of a second exit has not only caused traffic congestion but also inhibits effective emergency response capabilities. The extension of Makakilo Drive is framed as an essential development for enhancing public safety, which has been increasingly urgent due to recent catastrophic events.

Summary

House Resolution 14 (HR14) requests the City and County of Honolulu to transfer its authority to construct an extension of Makakilo Drive to the State. This extension is deemed critical for improving connectivity in the area, particularly as there is currently only one means of ingress and egress for residents, leading to safety concerns, especially after the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires. The alignment with safety protocols is underscored by the necessity for alternative evacuation routes that this extension would provide.

Contention

While the resolution calls for the authority transfer to accelerate the construction process, it invites discussion regarding local governance and community needs. There may be concerns about how such a transfer could impact local decision-making processes and the priorities of Honolulu's infrastructure development. Stakeholders may discuss whether state-level involvement would expedite necessary repairs and improvements or if local governance is better suited to address the specific needs of Makakilo residents.