HCR 112: strongly Urging THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT A "PEDESTRIAN FIRST" POLICY VIA ORDINANCE.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

strongly Urging THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT A "PEDESTRIAN FIRST" POLICY VIA ORDINANCE.

     WHEREAS, walking is the most basic form of transportation; and

     WHEREAS, safely accommodating pedestrians is a fundamental function of streets; and

     WHEREAS, a "pedestrian first" policy establishes pedestrians as the highest modal priority; and

     WHEREAS, a "pedestrian first" policy would inform decision-making when modal trade-offs are considered; and

     WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu finalized its Oahu Pedestrian Plan in July 2022; and

     WHEREAS, the Oahu Pedestrian Plan is a long-term action plan intended to create safe and accessible streets that allow everyone secure self-transportation by walking; and

     WHEREAS, in Honolulu, high-risk pedestrian areas make up just two percent of streets but account for sixty percent of fatalities and forty-two percent of injuries, underscoring the need for targeted infrastructure improvements; and

     WHEREAS, the Pedestrian Priority Network is the network of streets and off-street paths in the City and County of Honolulu that provide important pedestrian connections to transit, schools, employment and commercial centers, and other major destinations; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Honolulu City Council is strongly urged to adopt a "pedestrian first" policy via ordinance; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, Managing Director of the City and County of Honolulu, all members of the Honolulu City Council, and Director of the Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu.

Report Title: 

"Pedestrian First" policy; Ordinance; City and County of Honolulu

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1887

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 112

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 112 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT A "PEDESTRIAN FIRST" POLICY VIA ORDINANCE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to strongly urge the Honolulu City Council to adopt a "pedestrian first" policy via ordinance.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, Hawaiʻi Bicycling League, Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute, and one individual.

     Your Committees find that a "pedestrian first" policy establishes pedestrians as the highest modal priority.  According to testimony received by your Committees, urban Honolulu is identified as one of the most dangerous metro areas in the United States with a long-term trend in a pedestrian fatality rate that continues to rise.  The adoption of a "pedestrian first" policy as strongly urged by this measure will help promote safer streets and more walkable communities to encourage residents to reduce their vehicle use and contribute to cleaner air and healthier communities.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Transportation and Culture and the Arts that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 112, and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1712

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.C.R. No. 112

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 112 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT A "PEDESTRIAN FIRST" POLICY VIA ORDINANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to strongly urge the Honolulu City Council to adopt a "pedestrian first" policy via ordinance.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; Hawai‘i Bicycling League; and two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

     Your Committee finds that walking is the most fundamental mode of transportation, and streets should be designed to prioritize pedestrian safety and accessibility.  Data from the City and County of Honolulu shows that a small percentage of streets account for a disproportionate number of pedestrian fatalities and injuries, highlighting the urgent need for targeted improvements.  This measure aims to ensure safer and more walkable communities through the adoption of a pedestrian first policy in the City and County of Honolulu.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 112 and recommends its adoption.

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