HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PCPWMT 003 2025-02-18 2024-2026REPORT 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
PCPWMT-3
Page 2 February 18, 2025
Committee Chairperson James E. Hustace stated that, since the related ordinance went into effect
last term, he has heard about potential outlying issues from the community, such as the
placement of restriction signage for public awareness on roads under State jurisdiction. He
provided examples, such as Kohala Mountain Road. Mr. Hustace also conveyed that some
community members who are cyclists but not part of a commercial bicycle tour have often been
treated as if they are. While recognizing that some areas are unsafe or not multimodal spaces,
Mr. Hustace shared that some residents who are avid cyclists have sometimes been pulled over
or engaged by vehicles. He commented that there may be a need for an educational piece on
these impacts to the community.
Ms. Kimball acknowledged the comments from Mr. Hustace and the distinctions between.
private -person recreational and commercial -tour activities.
Your Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit is in accord with the purpose and
intent of Bill No. 28, and recommends its passage on first reading.
dkjr
AYES
NOES
ABS
Ex
GALIMBA
X
HUSTACE
X
INABA
X
KAGIWADA
X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER
X
KIERKIEWICZ
X
KIMBALL
X
ONISHI
X
VILLEGAS
X
Respectfully submitted,
POLICY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC
WORKS AND MASS TRANSIT
J�MES"E. HUSTACE, CHAIR
PCPWMT REPORT NO.: 3
ADOPTED: MAR 1 9 202