STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1769

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.C.R. No. 95

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Transportation and Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 95 entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING HAWAII HELICOPTER COMPANIES TO AVOID CONDUCTING NON‑EMERGENCY FLIGHTS OVER RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge Hawaii helicopter companies to avoid conducting non-emergency flights over residential neighborhoods.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Kawaihapai Ohana and four individuals.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committees find that commercial helicopters flying over residential neighborhoods negatively impact the quality of life of residents and present unnecessary safety risks to those on the ground beneath the flight path.  In 2019, a commercial helicopter crashed in Kailua, Oahu, killing three people and closing Oneawa Street for hours as the wreckage was cleared.  Your Committees note that there is no valid reason why commercial helicopters should fly over residential neighborhoods except in cases of emergencies.  Therefore, this measure urges Hawaii commercial helicopter companies to stop flights over residential neighborhoods.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Commerce and Consumer Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 95, and recommend its adoption.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Commerce and Consumer Protection,

 

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

 

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair