STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1458

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.C.R. No. 170

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 170 entitled:

 

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE OPTIONS THAT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL AIR SERVICE TO REMOTE AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Transportation to establish a working group to evaluate options that provide additional air service to remote and underserved communities across the State.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii Self-Advocacy Advisory Council, and nine individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that as an island state, Hawaii is reliant upon air travel to ensure residents and tourists have timely transportation options to navigate between islands.  However, since January 2021, only one passenger airline has provided service to the general public out of Molokai Airport.  The limited service between Molokai Airport and other destinations has led to costly ticket prices and limited flights, leaving many residents who travel for essential reasons such as work, medical appointments, and family stranded without a way to and from Molokai.  As air travel is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration, collaboration between federal, state, and county agencies may provide solutions to ensure residents have access to multiple air travel options.  This measure addresses ongoing limited air travel issues in underserved and rural communities across the State to provide residents with affordable, consistent options to navigate around the State.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 170 and recommends its adoption.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

 

 

 

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair