HCR 131: URGING THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AND STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE THE EXPANSION OF ALTERNATIVE AIRLINE SERVICES THAT UTILIZE SHORT TAKEOFF AND LANDING-CAPABLE AIRCRAFTS AND REQUESTING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A RURAL AIR SERVICE PROGRAM.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

URGING THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AND STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE THE EXPANSION OF ALTERNATIVE AIRLINE SERVICES THAT UTILIZE SHORT TAKEOFF AND LANDING-CAPABLE AIRCRAFTS AND REQUESTING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A RURAL AIR SERVICE PROGRAM.

     WHEREAS, Hawaiʻi's rural communities, including those in Molokai, Lānaʻi, and Hāna, rely heavily on air travel for essential services such as health care, education, and economic opportunities; and

     WHEREAS, recent airline service reductions and increased ticket costs have severely impacted the accessibility and affordability of air transportation for residents in these areas; and

     WHEREAS, many rural airports in Hawaiʻi have shorter runways, limiting the types of aircraft that can safely operate in these locations; and

     WHEREAS, several aircraft models, including the De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, Pilatus PC-12, Cessna 208 Caravan, Dornier 228, and Let L-410 Turbolet, possess short takeoff and landing capabilities that make them suitable for operations on short and unpaved runways; and

     WHEREAS, many countries and states have successfully implemented programs to support rural and remote communities with small airplane services, ensuring transportation access for medical, economic, and general connectivity purposes, such as the Essential Air Service in the United States, Norway's Public Service Obligation routes, and Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service; and

     WHEREAS, the United States Essential Air Service program provides federal subsidies to airlines operating in regions that would otherwise lack scheduled air transport, benefiting rural communities in multiple states including Alaska, Hawaiʻi, and Montana; and

     WHEREAS, Norway's Public Service Obligation-supported air network ensures essential air connectivity for remote and rural areas, subsidizing routes that would not be commercially viable due to low passenger volumes and challenging geography; and

     WHEREAS, Alaska's Rural Aviation System has developed a unique network of state-supported small air carriers that provide critical passenger and freight services to isolated communities, supported by state funding for rural airports and maintenance; and

     WHEREAS, public-private partnerships with private operators such as Hawaii Life Flight and Guardian Flight currently provide emergency medical air transport to outer islands; and

     WHEREAS, alternative airline service providers utilizing short takeoff and landing aircrafts can improve air connectivity by offering more frequent and reliable routes between rural airports and major transportation hubs, enhancing economic opportunities, medical access, and overall quality of life for residents; 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 Federal Aviation Administration and State Department of Transportation are urged to encourage and facilitate the expansion of alternative airline services that utilize short takeoff and landing-capable aircrafts to better serve rural and remote communities in the State; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Department of Transportation is urged to investigate potential incentives, partnerships, and regulatory changes to encourage and facilitate the operation of short takeoff and landing aircrafts to serve rural communities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Department of Transportation is requested to conduct a study on the feasibility and implementation of a rural air service program in the State, identifying the best options for such programs, including funding mechanisms, regulatory considerations, and potential airline partnerships, including public-private partnerships; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Department of Transportation is requested to submit a report of its finding and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Governor, Director of Transportation, and mayors of each county.

Report Title: 

Federal Aviation Administration; DOT; Alternative Airline Services; Short Takeoff and Landing

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

urging the federal aviation administration and state department of transportation to encourage and facilitate the expansion of alternative airline services that utilize short takeoff and landing-capable aircrafts and requesting the legislative reference bureau to conduct a study on the feasibility and implementation of a rural air service program.

     WHEREAS, Hawaiʻi's rural communities, including those in Molokai, Lānaʻi, and Hāna, rely heavily on air travel for essential services such as health care, education, and economic opportunities; and

     WHEREAS, recent airline service reductions and increased ticket costs have severely impacted the accessibility and affordability of air transportation for residents in these areas; and

     WHEREAS, many rural airports in Hawaiʻi have shorter runways, limiting the types of aircraft that can safely operate in these locations; and

     WHEREAS, several aircraft models, including the De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, Pilatus PC-12, Cessna 208 Caravan, Dornier 228, and Let L-410 Turbolet, possess short takeoff and landing capabilities that make them suitable for operations on short and unpaved runways; and

     WHEREAS, many countries and states have successfully implemented programs to support rural and remote communities with small airplane services, ensuring transportation access for medical, economic, and general connectivity purposes, such as the Essential Air Service in the United States, Norway's Public Service Obligation routes, and Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service; and

     WHEREAS, the United States Essential Air Service program provides federal subsidies to airlines operating in regions that would otherwise lack scheduled air transport, benefiting rural communities in multiple states including Hawaiʻi, Montana, and Alaska; and

     WHEREAS, Norway's Public Service Obligation-supported air network ensures essential air connectivity for remote and rural areas, subsidizing routes that would not be commercially viable due to low passenger volumes and challenging geography; and

     WHEREAS, Alaska's Rural Aviation System has developed a unique network of state-supported small air carriers that provide critical passenger and freight services to isolated communities, supported by state funding for rural airports and maintenance; and

     WHEREAS, public-private partnerships with private operators such as Hawaii Life Flight and Guardian Flight currently provide emergency medical air transport to outer islands; and

     WHEREAS, alternative airline service providers utilizing short takeoff and landing aircrafts can improve air connectivity by offering more frequent and reliable routes between rural airports and major transportation hubs, enhancing economic opportunities, medical access, and overall quality of life for residents; 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 Federal Aviation Administration and State Department of Transportation are urged to encourage and facilitate the expansion of alternative airline services that utilize short takeoff and landing-capable aircrafts to better serve rural and remote communities in the State; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Department of Transportation is urged to investigate potential incentives, partnerships, and regulatory changes to encourage and facilitate the operation of short takeoff and landing aircrafts to serve rural communities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to conduct a study on the feasibility and implementation of a rural air service program in the State, identifying the best options for such programs, including funding mechanisms, regulatory considerations, and potential airline partnerships, including public-private partnerships; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit a report of its finding and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Governor, Director of Transportation, Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, and mayors of each county.

Report Title: 

Federal Aviation Administration; DOT; LRB; Alternative Airline Services; Short Takeoff and Landing

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1665

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.C.R. No. 131

      H.D. 1

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. 131 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AND STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE THE EXPANSION OF ALTERNATIVE AIRLINE SERVICES THAT UTILIZE SHORT TAKEOFF AND LANDING-CAPABLE AIRCRAFTS AND REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A RURAL AIR SERVICE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Urge the Federal Aviation Administration and State Department of Transportation to encourage and facilitate the expansion of alternative airline services that utilize short takeoff and landing-capable aircrafts; and

     (2)  Request the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on the feasibility and implementation of a rural air service program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Transportation and Legislative Reference Bureau.

     Your Committee finds that rural communities in the State, including those in Molokai and Lanai, rely on air travel for essential services such as healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.  Recent reductions in airline service and rising ticket costs have significantly limited access to reliable transportation, making it more difficult for residents to meet basic needs.  This measure aims to improve connectivity for rural and remote communities across the State through alternative airline services to ensure residents have access to essential services.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requesting the Department of Transportation, instead of the Legislative Reference Bureau, to conduct the study;

     (2)  Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     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. 131, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Legislative Management in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 131, H.D. 1.

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