STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1664

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     S.C.R. No. 43

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 43 entitled:

 

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A PEARL HARBOR HISTORIC TRAIL PILOT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT AND ENTER INTO A LONG-TERM AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES NAVY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU AND STATE AGENCIES, TO ENSURE THE REVITALIZATION OF THE MULTI-USE TRAIL,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the City and County of Honolulu to:

 

     (1)  Move forward with a Pearl Harbor Historic Trail pilot demonstration project; and

 

     (2)  Enter into a long-term agreement with the United States Navy, in partnership with state agencies, to ensure the revitalization of the multi-use trail.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu, one member of the Aiea Neighborhood Board, Aiea Community Association, Friends of the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail, Hawaii Military Affairs Council, Hawaii Bicycling League, and three individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that the proposed Pearl Harbor Historic Trail is a multi-use path that will run 18.6 miles from Halawa Landing to Nanakuli, linking neighborhoods, historic sites, recreational areas, regional attractions, and nature along the old Oahu Railway and Land Company right-of-way.  However, parts of the path have been used by squatters and as dumping grounds for stolen vehicles and junk, and volunteer groups have been helping to clear the path, which runs through state, federal, and private lands.  Your Committee believes that, while the proposed Pearl Harbor Historic Trail Master Plan has not been implemented, improving the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail is long overdue and should move forward as part of a broad strategy to meet a number of community needs.  This measure will help to create safe bicycle and pedestrian paths, a natural and historic preservation project, a recreation resource, a means of opening up shoreline access, and an opportunity for revitalization in several local communities.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 43 and recommends its adoption.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

 

 

 

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair