STAND. COM. REP. NO.  470

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1559

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1559 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure that the heritage of Hawaii's rural communities is not lost by encouraging flexibility in highway design in these areas.  Specifically, this bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to consider applying flexible highway design when designing improvements to:

     (1)  Koolau Loa Coastal Highway from Kaaawa to Waimea on            Oahu; and

     (2)  Lower Puna to Kapoho Coastal Road on the Island of             Hawaii.

     The Representative from the 4^th District, Malama Ohana, and the Hawaii County Economic Development Council testified in support of this bill.  DOT supported the intent of the measure.

     Hawaii has some of the most beautiful coastal roadways in the country.  Balancing appropriate financial, political, social, and economic policy concerns, including safety, and cost-effectiveness, with environmental, aesthetic, and cultural preservation concerns will preserve these treasures for years to come.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1559 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair