SCR 117: URGING THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, AND THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO CONDUCT AN INVENTORY OF BUS STOPS ON HAWAII ISLAND UTILIZED BY CHILDREN TO TRAVEL TO SCHOOL AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT EACH LOCATION.

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

URGING THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, AND THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO CONDUCT AN INVENTORY OF BUS STOPS ON HAWAII ISLAND UTILIZED BY CHILDREN TO TRAVEL TO SCHOOL AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT EACH LOCATION.

     WHEREAS, ensuring the safety of Hawaii's keiki as they travel to and from school is a paramount concern for families, educators, and policymakers; and

     WHEREAS, unlike other islands in the State, many students on Hawaii island face unique transportation challenges, including long travel distances, limited access to school bus services, and reliance on the County of Hawaii's Hele-On public transportation system through special arrangements with the Department of Education; and

     WHEREAS, these challenges are compounded by bus route limitations, road infrastructure deficiencies, and the absence of safe, dedicated school bus stops in certain rural and underserved areas; and

     WHEREAS, the availability and staffing of active bus routes are critical concerns, as many school transportation services struggle with driver shortages, funding constraints, and an insufficient number of routes to accommodate all students safely and efficiently; and

     WHEREAS, the need for additional bus routes has become increasingly evident, particularly in remote communities where children must walk long distances along unsafe roads to reach their nearest bus stop or school; and

     WHEREAS, poorly designed or maintained bus stops, lack of proper lighting, insufficient pedestrian crossings, and hazardous traffic conditions pose significant risks to children; and

     WHEREAS, a comprehensive review of existing bus stops on Hawaii island used by school-aged children is necessary to identify deficiencies and develop recommendations for improvements; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee is urged to collaborate with the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, and the County of Hawaii to conduct an inventory of bus stops on Hawaii island utilized by children to travel to school and develop strategies to improve safety at each location; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this inventory is requested to include an assessment of safety conditions at each bus stop, including but not limited to:

     (1)  The presence and condition of sidewalks and crosswalks;

     (2)  Adequate lighting and visibility;

     (3)  Traffic patterns and congestion;

     (4)  Proximity to high speed roadways;

     (5)  The availability of shelters and seating;

     (6)  The adequacy of current bus routes in meeting student transportation needs; and

     (7)  Any other potential hazards affecting student safety; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee, in coordination with the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, and the County of Hawaii, is requested to develop recommendations and propose strategies to enhance the safety of these bus stops, including infrastructure improvements, traffic calming measures, additional bus routes, and community engagement initiatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County of Hawaii is requested to use funding for its Safe Routes to School program to support the efforts of the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee in conducting the inventory of bus stops on Hawaii island and developing strategies to improve safety at each location; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including a prioritized list of bus stops in need of immediate safety improvements, 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 Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, Director of Transportation, Chairperson of the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee, and Mayor of the County of Hawaii.

Report Title: 

DOT; DOE; County of Hawaii; Bus Stops; Transportation Infrastructure

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, Safe routes to school advisory committee, and THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO CONDUCT AN INVENTORY OF BUS STOPS ON HAWAiI ISLAND UTILIZED BY CHILDREN TO TRAVEL TO SCHOOL AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT EACH LOCATION.

     WHEREAS, ensuring the safety of Hawaii's keiki as they travel to and from school is a paramount concern for families, educators, and policymakers; and

     WHEREAS, unlike other islands in the State, many students on Hawaii island face unique transportation challenges, including long travel distances, limited access to school bus services, and reliance on the County of Hawaii's Hele-On public transportation system through special arrangements with the Department of Education; and

     WHEREAS, these challenges are compounded by bus route limitations, road infrastructure deficiencies, and the absence of safe, dedicated school bus stops in certain rural and underserved areas; and

     WHEREAS, the availability and staffing of active bus routes are critical concerns, as many school transportation services struggle with driver shortages, funding constraints, and an insufficient number of routes to accommodate all students safely and efficiently; and

     WHEREAS, the need for additional bus routes has become increasingly evident, particularly in remote communities where children must walk long distances along unsafe roads to reach their nearest bus stop or school; and

     WHEREAS, poorly designed or maintained bus stops, lack of proper lighting, insufficient pedestrian crossings, and hazardous traffic conditions pose significant risks to children; and

     WHEREAS, a comprehensive review of existing bus stops on Hawaii island used by school-aged children is necessary to identify deficiencies and develop recommendations for improvements; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Education is urged to collaborate with the Department of Transportation, Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee, and the County of Hawaii to conduct an inventory of bus stops on Hawaii island utilized by children to travel to school and develop strategies to improve safety at each location; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this inventory is requested to include an assessment of safety conditions at each bus stop, including but not limited to:

     (1)  The presence and condition of sidewalks and crosswalks;

     (2)  Adequate lighting and visibility;

     (3)  Traffic patterns and congestion;

     (4)  Proximity to high speed roadways;

     (5)  The availability of shelters and seating;

     (6)  The adequacy of current bus routes in meeting student transportation needs; and

     (7)  Any other potential hazards affecting student safety; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education, in coordination with the Department of Transportation, Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee, and the County of Hawaii, is requested to develop recommendations and propose strategies to enhance the safety of these bus stops, including infrastructure improvements, traffic calming measures, additional bus routes, and community engagement initiatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including a prioritized list of bus stops in need of immediate safety improvements, 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 Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, Director of Transportation, Chairperson of the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee, and Mayor of the County of Hawaii.

Report Title: 

DOT; DOE; County of Hawaii; Bus Stops; Transportation Infrastructure

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI TO CONDUCT AN INVENTORY OF BUS STOPS ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND UTILIZED BY CHILDREN TO TRAVEL TO SCHOOL AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT EACH LOCATION.

     WHEREAS, ensuring the safety of Hawaiʻi's keiki as they travel to and from school is a paramount concern for families, educators, and policymakers; and

     WHEREAS, unlike other islands in the State, many students on Hawaiʻi island face unique transportation challenges, including long travel distances, limited access to school bus services, and reliance on the County of Hawaiʻi's Hele-On public transportation system through special arrangements with the Department of Education; and

     WHEREAS, these challenges are compounded by bus route limitations, road infrastructure deficiencies, and the absence of safe, dedicated school bus stops in certain rural and underserved areas; and

     WHEREAS, the availability and staffing of active bus routes are critical concerns, as many school transportation services struggle with driver shortages, funding constraints, and an insufficient number of routes to accommodate all students safely and efficiently; and

     WHEREAS, the need for additional bus routes has become increasingly evident, particularly in remote communities where children must walk long distances along unsafe roads to reach their nearest bus stop or school; and

     WHEREAS, poorly designed or maintained bus stops, lack of proper lighting, insufficient pedestrian crossings, and hazardous traffic conditions pose significant risks to children; and

     WHEREAS, a comprehensive review of existing bus stops on Hawaiʻi island used by school-aged children is necessary to identify deficiencies and develop recommendations for improvements; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Education is urged to collaborate with the Department of Transportation and the County of Hawaiʻi to conduct an inventory of bus stops on Hawaiʻi island utilized by children to travel to school and develop strategies to improve safety at each location; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this inventory is requested to include an assessment of safety conditions at each bus stop, including but not limited to:

     (1)  The presence and condition of sidewalks and crosswalks;

     (2)  Adequate lighting and visibility;

     (3)  Traffic patterns and congestion;

     (4)  Proximity to high speed roadways;

     (5)  The availability of shelters and seating;

     (6)  The adequacy of current bus routes in meeting student transportation needs; and

     (7)  Any other potential hazards affecting student safety; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education, in coordination with the Department of Transportation and the County of Hawaiʻi, is requested to develop recommendations and propose strategies to enhance the safety of these bus stops, including infrastructure improvements, traffic calming measures, additional bus routes, and community engagement initiatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including a prioritized list of bus stops in need of immediate safety improvements, 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 Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, Director of Transportation, and Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi.

Report Title: 

DOT; DOE; County of Hawaii; Bus Stops; Transportation Infrastructure

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2141

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.C.R. No. 117

      S.D. 1

      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 S.C.R. No. 117, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, AND THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO CONDUCT AN INVENTORY OF BUS STOPS ON HAWAII ISLAND UTILIZED BY CHILDREN TO TRAVEL TO SCHOOL AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT EACH LOCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee to collaborate with the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, and the County of Hawaii to conduct an inventory of bus stops on Hawaii island utilized by children to travel to school and develop strategies to improve safety at each location.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Department of Education; and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that unlike other islands in the State, many students on Hawaii island face unique transportation challenges, including long travel distances, limited access to school bus services, and reliance on the County of Hawaii's Hele-On public transportation system through special arrangements with the Department of Education.

     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 S.C.R. No. 117, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2070

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.C.R. No. 117

      S.D. 1

      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 Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 117, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO CONDUCT AN INVENTORY OF BUS STOPS ON HAWAII ISLAND UTILIZED BY CHILDREN TO TRAVEL TO SCHOOL AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT EACH LOCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Education to collaborate with the Department of Transportation, Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee, and the County of Hawaii to conduct an inventory of bus stops on Hawaii island utilized by children to travel to school and develop strategies to improve safety at each location.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi; one member of the Hawaiʻi County Council; and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

     Your Committee finds that many students on Hawaii island face unique transportation challenges that other islands of the State do not face, including long travel distances, limited access to school bus services, and reliance on the County of Hawaii's Hele-On public transportation system through special arrangements with the Department of Education.  These challenges are compounded by bus route limitations, road infrastructure deficiencies, and the absence of safe, dedicated school bus stops in certain rural and underserved areas.  Your Committee further finds that a comprehensive review of existing bus stops on Hawaii island used by school-aged children is necessary to identify deficiencies and develop recommendations for improvements.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Urging the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee rather than the Department of Education to conduct an inventory of bus stops on Hawaii island utilized by children to travel to school and develop strategies to improve safety at each location;

     (2)  Requesting the County of Hawaii to use funding for its Safe Routes to School program to support the efforts of the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee in conducting the inventory of bus stops on Hawaii island and developing strategies to improve safety at each location;

     (3)  Requesting the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee, rather than the Department of Education, to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature;

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

     (5)  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 Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 117, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Transportation in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 117, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1637

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 117

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 117 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI TO CONDUCT AN INVENTORY OF BUS STOPS ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND UTILIZED BY CHILDREN TO TRAVEL TO SCHOOL AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT EACH LOCATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Education to collaborate with the Department of Transportation and the County of Hawaii to conduct an inventory of bus stops on Hawaii Island utilized by children to travel to school and develop strategies to improve safety at each location.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals.

     Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

     Your Committees find that unlike other islands in the State, many students on Hawaii Island face unique transportation challenges, including long travel distances, limited access to school bus services, and reliance on the County of Hawaii's Hele-On public transportation system through special arrangements with the Department of Education.  Your Committees further find that that the availability and staffing of active bus routes are critical concerns, as many school transportation services struggle with driver shortages, funding constraints, and an insufficient number of routes to accommodate all students safely and efficiently.  Your Committees conclude that a comprehensive review of existing bus stops on Hawaii Island used by school-aged children is necessary to identify deficiencies and develop recommendations for improvements.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, and County of Hawaii collaborate with the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee;

     (2)  Clarifying that the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, and County of Hawaii is requested to develop recommendations and propose strategies to enhance the safety of bus stops;

     (3)  Specifying that a certified copy of this measure be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee;

     (4)  Amending its title accordingly; and

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

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Education that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 117, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 117, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Education,