STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1178

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2019

 

RE:   H.B. No. 857

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 857, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRAFFIC,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to ban bicycle and motor scooter traffic on the pedestrian mall between Punchbowl Street and Richards Street that abuts the State Capitol building, Iolani Palace, and the main branch of the Hawaii State Library.

 

     A few individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure.  The Bike Shop, Hawaii Bicycling League, Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii, Blue Zones Project Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Institute, American Diabetes Association, Red Hot Ladies Biking Club, and numerous individuals testified in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Transportation and one individual provided comments.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Removing the ban on bicycles on the pedestrian mall;

 

     (2)  Appropriating funds out of the Oahu transportation management area metropolitan planning organization revolving fund for the expansion and development of the makai paved walkway of the pedestrian mall to create a designated bike lane and post appropriate signage;

 

     (3)  Directing the Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Transportation, and Department of Land and Natural Resources to work together to develop a long-term plan for the pedestrian mall; and

 

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     Your Committee notes that the completion of the proposed extension of the two-way bicycle lane on King Street from Alapai Street to Bishop Street would likely alleviate some of the safety concerns raised by individuals who testified in opposition to this measure.  Your Committee therefore strongly urges the City and County of Honolulu to expedite and complete the proposed King Street bicycle lane extension.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 857, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 857, H.D. 2.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair