REP PCPWMT 003 2025-02-18 2024-2026

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REPORT OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND MASS TRANSIT DATE: February 18, 2025 Re: Comm. No. 121/Bill No. 28 PLACE: Council Chambers Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TIME: 1.1:53 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit, to which was referred Bill No. 28, reports as follows: Bill No. 28, introduced by Council Member Heather Kimball, via Communication No. 1.21, dated January 28, 2025, amends Chapter 6, Article 2, Section. 6-12 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), relating to prohibited highways for commercial bicycle tours. Bill No. 28 proposes to add Old Mamalahoa Highway, from its intersection with Mauna Loa Street in Honoka`a to 46-4265 Old Mamalahoa Highway at the Department of Water Supply water tank. Pursuant to Chapter 6, Article 2, Section 6-1 l(b) of the County Code, the Committee referred Bill 28 to the Chief of Police, Director of Public Works, and the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation for their respective recommendations. Committee Member Kimball explained that the particular stretch of Old Mamalahoa Highway in which this measure would prohibit commercial bicycle tours starts at about where TEX Drive In in Honoka`a is, through `Ahualoa, to a Department of Water Supply tank. She described the area as very narrow and not the typically fill two-lane type of roadway, with missing or damaged guardrails and line -of -sight issues due to vegetation growth. At the request of the community association, Ms. Kimball submitted this legislation for consideration. She stated that the highway continues for a few miles towards Lakeland, but she has not yet had a conversation with that community. Ms. Kimball intends to inquire with the three agencies that Bill 28 will be referred to on whether they recommend the prohibition be extended further. Although Bill 28 will be referred to the Hawaii Police Department, seeking its comment, Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked if that agency is aware of what they may need to do for enforcement of this legislation. A representative from the Department was not present to respond to his inquiry. Council Chairperson Inaba commented that he was glad to see the models put into legislation for these types of efforts, as they are working for the community. PCPWMT Report No. 3