SR 123: requesting the County of Maui to fulfill its agreement with the State and resolve longstanding jurisdictional ambiguities by completing the transfer of the Hui Roads, including Hui Road F, from the Judiciary.

SENATE RESOLUTION

requesting the County of Maui to fulfill its agreement with the State and resolve longstanding jurisdictional ambiguities by completing the transfer of the Hui Roads, including Hui Road F, from the Judiciary.

     WHEREAS, the State and County of Maui have previously entered into an agreement to transfer ownership and jurisdiction of certain roads, including the Hui Roads, from the Judiciary to the County of Maui; and

     WHEREAS, the Hui Roads, including Hui Road F in West Maui, are among many "roads in limbo" whose ownership and maintenance responsibilities have been subjects of prolonged ambiguity and dispute between state and county agencies; and

     WHEREAS, this jurisdictional uncertainty has led to the significant neglect of these roads, resulting in deteriorating conditions that pose safety hazards to residents, impede emergency response efforts, and affect overall quality of life in the community; and

     WHEREAS, the community of West Maui, including residents along Hui Road F, has repeatedly expressed concerns over the lack of maintenance and clarity regarding responsibility for these roads, requesting governmental action to resolve these issues; and

     WHEREAS, the Judiciary has regularly communicated with the County of Maui and has taken steps to complete the conveyance of the Hui Roads to the County, including the preparation of a quitclaim; and

     WHEREAS, in spite of the Judiciary's efforts, the County of Maui has not yet assumed ownership of the Hui Roads; and

     WHEREAS, the County of Maui has previously acknowledged the necessity of accepting and maintaining these roads to ensure public safety and infrastructure reliability; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the County of Maui is requested to fulfill its agreement with the State and resolve longstanding jurisdictional ambiguities by completing the transfer of the Hui Roads, including Hui Road F, from the Judiciary to the County of Maui; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County of Maui is strongly encouraged to allocate appropriate funding and resources for the immediate repair and ongoing maintenance of these roads to address safety concerns and improve accessibility for all residents and visitors; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Administrative Director of the Courts, Mayor of the County of Maui, Chair of the Maui County Council, and Director of Transportation of the County of Maui.

Report Title: 

Judiciary; Maui County; Hui Roads; Transfer

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1427

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 123

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.R. No. 123 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE COUNTY OF MAUI TO FULFILL ITS AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE AND RESOLVE LONGSTANDING JURISDICTIONAL AMBIGUITIES BY COMPLETING THE TRANSFER OF THE HUI ROADS, INCLUDING HUI ROAD F, FROM THE JUDICIARY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the County of Maui to fulfill its agreement with the State and resolve longstanding jurisdictional ambiguities by completing the transfer of the Hui Roads, including Hui Road F, from the Judiciary to the County of Maui.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary.

     Your Committee finds that the State and County of Maui have previously entered into an agreement to transfer ownership and jurisdiction of certain roads, including the Hui Roads, from the Judiciary to the County of Maui.  However, the Hui Roads, including Hui Road F in West Maui, are among many "roads in limbo" whose ownership and maintenance responsibilities have been subjects of prolonged ambiguity and dispute between state and county agencies.  This jurisdictional uncertainty has led to the significant neglect of these roads, resulting in deteriorating conditions that pose safety hazards to residents, impede emergency response efforts, and affect overall quality of life in the community.  Your Committee further finds that the Judiciary has regularly communicated with the County of Maui and has taken steps to complete the conveyance of the Hui Roads to the County, including the preparation of a quitclaim.  This measure  acknowledges the necessity of accepting and maintaining these roads to ensure public safety and infrastructure reliability.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 123 and recommends its adoption.

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