Transportation (Roads & Highways)

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 149: URGING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO FINALIZE, PRIORITIZE, AND MATERIALIZE THE MAKAKILO DRIVE EXTENSION PROJECT.

This bill is a House Resolution that asks the City and County of Honolulu to move forward with the Makakilo Drive Extension Project to address traffic congestion in the growing Makakilo and Kapolei areas. The resolution requests that local officials finalize planning, prioritize funding, and begin construction on the road extension, which was previously studied in 2009 as environmentally safe. It also asks the city to create a clear timeline for the project and submit a progress report to the state Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill urges Honolulu to finalize and fund Makakilo Drive Extension to address traffic congestion, directly supporting road infrastructure development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 58: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO MINIMIZE RUMBLE STRIP DIMENSIONS ON A SEGMENT OF KAMEHAMEHA V HIGHWAY ON MOLOKAI TO REDUCE UNINTENDED HAZARDS.

This bill urges the Hawaii Department of Transportation to adjust the size and design of rumble strips on Kamehameha V Highway in Molokai to reduce unintended safety hazards. The resolution argues that the current rumble strips are too aggressive, causing drivers to swerve into shoulders where cyclists and pedestrians are vulnerable. It requests the department modify the strips to be shallower or use sinusoidal patterns that provide warning without encouraging dangerous avoidance maneuvers. The bill also asks for reduced noise pollution to improve quality of life for local residents. This is a non-binding resolution that does not mandate changes but formally requests the department to review and adjust the road design.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill aims to improve road safety by modifying rumble strip design to reduce hazards for cyclists and pedestrians, enhancing transportation infrastructure safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 111: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ESTABLISH AN INDIRECT TRAFFIC DISRUPTION GRANT PROGRAM.

This legislative resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Transportation to create a grant program that provides financial assistance to property owners and small businesses affected by unplanned road closures, detours, or utility disruptions caused by state or county roadwork. The program would offer grants to those who can demonstrate loss of property access, prolonged detours, or verifiable revenue loss due to these disruptions, with eligibility determined by factors such as the duration and severity of the roadwork and the economic impact on the applicant. The Department of Transportation is asked to work with county governments to administer the program for joint roadwork projects and to submit a progress report to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session detailing the number of applications, grants awarded, and process timelines.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates grant program to help property owners and businesses affected by roadwork disruptions, supporting transportation infrastructure management and economic impact mitigation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 87: URGING THE COUNTIES TO INTEGRATE THE SAFE SYSTEM APPROACH INTO ROAD AND TRANSPORTATION DESIGN, ESPECIALLY WHEN REDUCING OR ELIMINATING OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS, TO INCREASE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

This Senate Resolution urges Hawaii's counties to apply the Safe System Approach to road and transportation design, particularly when reducing or eliminating off-street parking requirements for new developments. The Safe System Approach is a framework that prioritizes protecting vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists by designing infrastructure that minimizes crash severity and accounts for human error. Key recommendations include improving crosswalk visibility, adding pedestrian refuge islands, installing bicycle lanes, and using rumble strips to enhance safety. The resolution highlights that reduced off-street parking has increased on-street parking, which blocks views of children and forces pedestrians into traffic on narrow streets without sidewalks. This non-binding measure directs county officials to balance housing development goals with investments in pedestrian safety infrastructure.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes pedestrian safety through improved road design and Safe System Approach, directly advancing transportation infrastructure and safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 80: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO COORDINATE WITH UTILITY PROVIDERS OPERATING WITHIN STATE HIGHWAY RIGHTS-OF-WAY TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE PLAN AND SCHEDULE TO ADDRESS DERELICT OR AGING UTILITY POLES AND LINES ALONG FARRINGTON HIGHWAY AND OTHER HIGH-RISK CORRIDORS.

This Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Transportation to work with utility companies to create a statewide plan for fixing or removing old and unsafe utility poles and power lines along state highways. The plan would specifically focus on areas like Farrington Highway and other high-risk corridors where aging infrastructure could endanger drivers, pedestrians, and residents. The resolution outlines steps for assessing the condition of utility lines, prioritizing repairs based on safety risks, clarifying who pays for maintenance, and reporting progress to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill addresses aging utility infrastructure safety, which protects energy consumers and maintains reliable energy delivery systems along highways.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes transportation safety by addressing aging utility infrastructure along highways, reducing risks to drivers and pedestrians through coordinated planning and repairs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 128: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS, TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO COORDINATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLANNING TO REDUCE INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS FOR HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS DEVELOPMENTS.

This bill requests the Department of Transportation and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to form a working group that will coordinate infrastructure planning for Hawaiian home land developments. The working group will include leaders from both departments, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and infrastructure experts to review overlapping projects and identify ways to reduce costs through synchronized planning. Specifically, the group will map out planned improvements over a five-year period, evaluate opportunities to combine construction efforts like road and drainage work, and assess potential cost savings from joint execution. The group is tasked with developing a standardized coordination process, identifying legal or procedural barriers to cooperation, and recommending any necessary changes to make coordinated planning permanent. The working group must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026 and will dissolve on June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes working group to coordinate capital improvement planning and reduce infrastructure costs for transportation projects, directly advancing transportation infrastructure development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 119: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A STATE HIGHWAY POLICE FORCE.

This bill is a House resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement to work together to create a state highway police force. It aims to address rising traffic fatalities by supplementing county police efforts with a specialized unit trained to handle highway incidents and enforce traffic laws more effectively. The resolution does not authorize funding or mandate the creation of the force but instead asks the two departments to collaborate on establishing it.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill proposes creating a specialized highway police force to address traffic fatalities and improve law enforcement effectiveness, which aligns with strengthening criminal justice infrastructure.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill aims to enhance transportation safety by establishing a specialized highway police force to address rising traffic fatalities and improve traffic law enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Roads & Highways

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 56: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT ALTERNATIVE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT METHODS ALONG THE HANA HIGHWAY.

This House Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Transportation to explore alternative vegetation management methods along the Hana Highway that reduce or eliminate synthetic chemical herbicides while maintaining roadway safety. The bill directs the department to hold public meetings in east Maui to gather community input and examine options such as organic herbicides, eco-friendly treatments, and non-chemical control strategies. It requires the department to submit a report of findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026, while continuing to maintain the highway and its budgetary commitments. The resolution also encourages community-based stewardship and monitoring efforts to assist in identifying vegetation management needs along this coastal corridor.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes eco-friendly vegetation management methods to maintain roadway safety while reducing synthetic chemical use, enhancing sustainable transportation infrastructure.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 80: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A STATE HIGHWAY POLICE FORCE.

This bill is a Senate concurrent resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement to work together to create a state highway police force. It aims to address rising traffic fatalities by combining transportation expertise with law enforcement resources to improve road safety and traffic management. The resolution does not create new laws or authorize funding but serves as a formal request for these agencies to collaborate on establishing a specialized police unit focused on highway incidents.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes road safety through collaboration between transportation and law enforcement agencies to establish a state highway police force, directly enhancing transportation safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 48: URGING THE COUNTIES TO INTEGRATE THE SAFE SYSTEM APPROACH INTO ROAD AND TRANSPORTATION DESIGN, ESPECIALLY WHEN REDUCING OR ELIMINATING OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS, TO INCREASE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

This House Resolution urges Hawaii's four counties to incorporate the Safe System Approach into road and transportation design, particularly when reducing or eliminating off-street parking requirements to improve pedestrian safety. The resolution highlights that removing parking mandates has increased on-street parking, which blocks visibility and forces pedestrians, including children and vulnerable residents, to walk on roadways without sidewalks. It calls for infrastructure improvements such as enhanced crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, and better road markings to protect people walking and biking. The measure is non-binding and directs copies to county mayors, council chairs, and transportation directors to encourage policy consideration.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes pedestrian safety through improved road design and Safe System Approach, enhancing transportation infrastructure and safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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