HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

164

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

urging support for completion of connections between and enhancements to the leeward bike path and pearl harbor historic trail.

 

 

WHEREAS, the Leeward Bike Path uses the right-of-way for the old Oahu Railway and Land Company train as a potential ecotourism attraction through the development of a multiuse pedestrian and bike path alongside an operating, historical train operated by the Hawaiian Railway Society; and

WHEREAS, the right-of-way is designed to provide culturally and environmentally sensitive access to wetlands and wildlife preserves, native Hawaiian culture sites, historic and educational sites, and recreational facilities and parks; and

WHEREAS, the right-of-way is part of the Leeward Bike Path, which the State is obligated to develop as part of a land swap with the United States Navy; and

WHEREAS, a nonprofit, Friends of Pearl Harbor Historic Trail is also active in the community, providing a conduit for partnerships with local community groups and nonprofits to support the completion of the path and trail; and

WHEREAS, the Leeward Bike Path runs parallel to the state-controlled portion of the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail, and travels through Waipahu, West Loch, Ewa, Ko Olina Resort, and up the Waianae Coast to Nanakuli, where the right-of-way terminates; and

WHEREAS, the path has the potential to support native Hawaiian economic enterprises along the right-of-way, with smaller footprint infrastructure requirements than buses and automobiles; and

WHEREAS, it provides ecologically sensitive access to wetlands and wilderness attractions like Pouhala Marsh and the National Wildlife Refuge at Honouliuli and Pearl Harbor; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature supports the planning, construction, and completion of the Leeward Bike Path and Pearl Harbor Historic Trail to be used by Oahu residents and tourists as a transportation corridor for pedestrians, recreational opportunities, and healthy living initiatives; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to submit a report to the Legislature not later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2005 on the design for the Leeward Bikeway as a shared-use path from Waipahu to Nanakuli and linking with the City's existing Pearl Harbor Bike Path, including a timeline and plan for implementing the design; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City and County of Honolulu is urged to make enhancements that can be made to the right-of-way and establish goals and objectives to implement projects related to the trail; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Commander of the United States Pacific Command; the Director of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; the Chairperson of the Board of Education; the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; the Director of Transportation; the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; and to the Hawaiian Railway Society, Friends of Pearl Harbor Historic Trail, and Ko Olina Resort.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Leeward Bike Path; Pearl Harbor Historic Trail