THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	55
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

Requesting the department of transportation to convene a task force to conduct a feasibility study on alternate emergency access routes and a second bridge to serve the hanalei, waipa, and ha‘ena communities.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the Hawaiian Islands have seen an increase in severe storm events; and

 

     WHEREAS, in Kauai County, events of flooding and landslides render Hanalei and surrounding communities extremely vulnerable to risks caused by severe weather events; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2018, catastrophic flooding and landslides impaired access and isolated Hanalei valley for several weeks and the communities of Ha‘ena and Wainiha for much longer; and

 

     WHEREAS, just three years later, in 2021, a landslide covered Hanalei hill and cutoff the entirety of Hanalei and surrounding communities from the rest of Kauai for approximately two weeks; and

 

     WHEREAS, these natural disasters and their impacts on access routes and infrastructure cutoff vulnerable populations, such as keiki and kupuna, from vital health services, including emergency health services, and disrupt the flow of critical goods and services, impairing businesses and livelihoods; and

 

     WHEREAS, an alternative route for ingress and egress in the event of natural disasters would provide an important evacuation route for residents and visitors in the Hanalei area; and

 

     WHEREAS, potential alternate access routes include the previous access road, currently used for electric utility lines and utility substation, and over United States Fish and Wildlife Service lands; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Transportation is requested to convene a task force to conduct a feasibility study of alternate emergency access routes and a second bridge for the Hanalei, Waipa, and Ha‘ena communities; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation, in convening the task force, is requested to seek participation and input from the following stakeholders:

 

     (1)  Hanalei Business Association;

 

     (2)  Hanalei Watershed Hui;

 

     (3)  Hanalei Initiative;

 

     (4)  Hui Maka‘āinana o Makana;

 

     (5)  County of Kauai;

 

     (6)  Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative;

 

     (7)  United States Fish and Wildlife Service;

 

     (8)  United States Geological Service; and

 

     (9)  United States Army Corps of Engineers; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation and an estimate of required appropriation amounts, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Project Leader of the Pacific Islands U.S. Fish and Wildlife Office, Region 12 Regional Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, Honolulu District Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, members of the Hawaii congressional delegation, Governor, Director of Transportation, Mayor of Kauai County, Chair of the Kauai County Council, Director of the Hanalei Business Association, Executive Director of the Hanalei Watershed Hui, President of the Hanalei Initiative, Director of Hui Maka‘āinana o Makana, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Kauai County; Emergency Access; Natural Disasters