HR 108: strongly Urging THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT A "PEDESTRIAN FIRST" POLICY VIA ORDINANCE.

HOUSE 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, 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 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.  1711

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.R. No. 108

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.R. No. 108 entitled:

"HOUSE 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.R. No. 108 and recommends its adoption.

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