HR 197: urging the county of maui and the united states army corps of engineers to prioritize and expedite the planning, funding, and construction of a permanent replacement for the kulanihakoi bridge.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

urging the county of maui and the united states army corps of engineers to prioritize and expedite the planning, funding, and construction of a permanent replacement for the kulanihakoi bridge.

     WHEREAS, the Kulanihakoi Bridge, located in South Maui, serves as a critical infrastructure component, facilitating transportation and connectivity for residents and visitors alike; and

     WHEREAS, the Kulanihakoi Bridge was first constructed in 1911 and consisted of four individual reinforced concrete box culverts, which were paved in the 1930's, making the foundation of the bridge one hundred fourteen years old; and

     WHEREAS, in 2018, plans were initiated to replace the deteriorating box culverts at the Kulanihakoi River Gulch with a raised bridge to improve safety and resilience; and

     WHEREAS, the initial project faced significant challenges, including the revelation that proposed temporary road crossings mauka of the South Kihei Road were not permissible under existing flood development regulations, leading to project delays and the need for redesign; and

     WHEREAS, community organizations, such as the Kihei Community Association, have long advocated for a more cost‑effective and improved solution to replace the deteriorated box culverts in the Kulanihakoi River Gulch with a raised bridge, eliminating the need for temporary structures in the riverbed; and

     WHEREAS, the current temporary construction solution at the Kulanihakoi Bridge may not provide the necessary long-term reliability and safety required for the region's infrastructure needs; and

     WHEREAS, a permanent replacement of the Kulanihakoi Bridge would enhance transportation safety, improve flood management, and support the economic vitality of South Maui; and

     WHEREAS, collaboration between the County of Maui and the United States Army Corps of Engineers is essential to design and implement a permanent bridge solution that meets federal, state, and local standards; 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 County of Maui and the United States Army Corps of Engineers are urged to prioritize and expedite the planning, funding, and construction of a permanent replacement for the Kulanihakoi Bridge; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body urges the County of Maui and the United States Army Corps of Engineers to engage with local communities, stakeholders, and experts to ensure the new bridge design addresses environmental concerns, cultural significance, and community needs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Commander of the United States Army Corps of Engineers Pacific Ocean Division, Director of Transportation, Mayor of the County of Maui, and Chairperson of the Maui County Council.

Report Title: 

County of Maui; United States Army Corps of Engineers; Kulanihakoi Bridge

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1739

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.R. No. 197

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred H.R. No. 197 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE COUNTY OF MAUI AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO PRIORITIZE AND EXPEDITE THE PLANNING, FUNDING, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT FOR THE KULANIHAKOI BRIDGE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to catalyze follow-through on a desperately needed replacement of the Kulanihakoi Bridge, which was first constructed in 1911. The replacement process has been held up since 2018 when initial work on it was started.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 197 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1507

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.R. No. 197

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. 197 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE COUNTY OF MAUI AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO PRIORITIZE AND EXPEDITE THE PLANNING, FUNDING, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT FOR THE KULANIHAKOI BRIDGE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the County of Maui and the United States Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize and expedite the planning, funding, and construction of a permanent replacement for the Kulanihakoi Bridge.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the current temporary construction solution at the Kulanihakoi Bridge may not provide the necessary long-term reliability and safety required for the region's infrastructure needs and that a permanent replacement would enhance transportation safety, improve flood management, and support the economic vitality of South Maui.

     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. 197 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Public Safety.

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