Transportation (Bridges)

This House Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Transportation to clarify which agency is responsible for the Honopou Bridge on Maui and to work together to address safety and emergency access issues. The bill calls for these departments to assess the bridge's structural condition, identify restrictions on emergency vehicle access, and develop a coordinated plan to repair or upgrade the bridge so it can safely support modern fire trucks and other emergency vehicles. Additionally, the resolution requires the agencies to conduct community outreach, estimate costs and funding options, and submit a detailed report with a timeline to the Legislature by early 2027.

This bill urges the Hawaii Departments of Land and Natural Resources and Transportation to clarify who is responsible for the Honopou Bridge on east Maui and coordinate efforts to address safety, wildfire risk, and emergency access concerns. The bridge, which serves as a critical route for residents and emergency responders, has conflicting load capacity assessments that may prevent modern fire trucks and ambulances from crossing safely. The resolution directs state agencies to conduct community outreach, assess the bridge's structural condition, identify access restrictions, and develop a repair or replacement plan within 20 days before the 2027 legislative session. It also requires the agencies to identify funding sources and submit a detailed report to the Legislature outlining their findings and implementation timeline.