STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1399

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.C.R. No. 138

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 138 entitled:

 

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY REGARDING THE FEASIBILITY AND COST OF CONSTRUCTING A SMALL COMMERCIAL BOAT HARBOR AND SMALL COMMERCIAL AIRPORT IN SOUTH PUNA,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to address the accessibility needs of south Puna, on the island of Hawaii.

 

     More specifically, this measure requests that the Department of Transportation conduct a study regarding the feasibility and cost of constructing a small commercial boat harbor and small commercial airport in south Puna.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Transportation.

 

     Your Committee finds that Puna has the fastest growing population in the County of Hawaii.  Your Committee also finds that, due to recent volcanic activity, many people in Puna may be cut off from supplies and services.  In the Puna area, there are very few places to access the coast safely due to the jagged cliffs, and road infrastructure cannot be developed due to the extensive network of lava tubes.  Your Committee further finds that there are no boat harbors or airports in the Puna area large enough to support commercial activity.

 

     Your Committee notes concerns raised by the Department of Transportation that they would not be able to proceed with the construction of a small commercial boat harbor and small commercial airport in south Puna without support and approvals from the federal government.  Your Committee also notes that it would be difficult for the Department of Transportation to move forward with these construction projects without state support for the issuance of general obligation bonds to finance such projects.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 138 and recommends its adoption.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair