SR 22: urging the county of maui TO PRIORITIZE the DEVELOPment and planning OF THE NORTHERN TERMINUS OF THE KIHEI NORTH-SOUTH COllECTOR ROAD.

SENATE RESOLUTION

urging the county of maui TO PRIORITIZE the DEVELOPment and planning OF THE NORTHERN TERMINUS OF THE KIHEI NORTH-SOUTH COllECTOR ROAD.

     WHEREAS, the North-South Collector Road in Kihei, Maui, was envisioned in the 1998 community plan to extend across the entire Kihei region, providing a critical alternative route to alleviate traffic congestion on South Kihei Road and Piilani Highway; and

     WHEREAS, over the years, residents and visitors of South Maui have experienced increasing traffic congestion, particularly in North and South Kihei, due to the limited availability of north-south routes, resulting in frequent bottlenecks and delays; and

     WHEREAS, the lack of alternative routes has led to situations where car accidents or natural hazards, such as flash floods, can severely impede mobility, leaving residents unable to leave their neighborhoods and hindering emergency response efforts; and

     WHEREAS, despite previous funding allocations, including a notable $25 million federal grant awarded in 2023 for the extension of Liloa Drive, a segment of the North-South Collector Road, progress has been limited, and the critical northern terminus of the road has yet to be planned or identified; and

     WHEREAS, the absence of a defined northern terminus undermines the intended purpose of the North-South Collector Road as an integral connector facilitating efficient movement into and out of the region, thereby perpetuating existing traffic challenges; and

     WHEREAS, population projections indicate that Maui island's resident population is expected to grow from 129,471 in 2005 to 194,630 by 2030, with the Kihei-Makena area anticipated to experience significant growth, further exacerbating traffic congestion and highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive infrastructure planning; and

     WHEREAS, the completion of the North-South Collector Road, including its northern terminus, is essential to accommodate current and future transportation demands, enhance public safety, and support the region's economic vitality; 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 urged to prioritize the development and planning of the northern terminus of the North-South Collector Road; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County of Maui is requested to collaborate with the Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization, Maui County Planning Department, and Maui County Council to identify and designate the specific location for the northern terminus of the North-South Collector Road, ensuring that it effectively integrates with existing and planned transportation infrastructure; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County of Maui is requested to submit a status report on the planning and development of the northern terminus of the North-South Collector Road 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 Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor of the County of Maui, Director of the Maui County Planning Department, Chair of the Maui County Council, and Executive Director of the Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Report Title: 

North-South Collector Road; Transportation; Maui

SENATE RESOLUTION

urging the county of maui TO PRIORITIZE the DEVELOPment and planning OF THE NORTHERN TERMINUS OF THE KIHEI NORTH-SOUTH COllECTOR ROAD.

     WHEREAS, the North-South Collector Road in Kihei, Maui, was envisioned in the 1998 community plan to extend across the entire Kihei region, providing a critical alternative route to alleviate traffic congestion on South Kihei Road and Piʻilani Highway; and

     WHEREAS, over the years, residents and visitors of South Maui have experienced increasing traffic congestion, particularly in North and South Kihei, due to the limited availability of north-south routes, resulting in frequent bottlenecks and delays; and

     WHEREAS, the lack of alternative routes has led to situations where car accidents or natural hazards, such as flash floods, can severely impede mobility, leaving residents unable to leave their neighborhoods and hindering emergency response efforts; and

     WHEREAS, despite previous funding allocations, including a notable $25 million federal grant awarded in 2023 for the extension of Liloa Drive, a segment of the North-South Collector Road, progress has been limited, and the critical northern terminus of the road has yet to be planned or identified; and

     WHEREAS, the absence of a defined northern terminus undermines the intended purpose of the North-South Collector Road as an integral connector facilitating efficient movement into and out of the region, thereby perpetuating existing traffic challenges; and

     WHEREAS, population projections indicate that Maui Island's resident population is expected to grow from 129,471 in 2005 to 194,630  by 2030, with the Kīhei-Mākena area anticipated to experience significant growth, further exacerbating traffic congestion and highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive infrastructure planning; and

     WHEREAS, the completion of the North-South Collector Road, including its northern terminus, is essential to accommodate current and future transportation demands, enhance public safety, and support the region's economic vitality; 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 urged to prioritize the development and planning of the northern terminus of the North-South Collector Road; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County of Maui is requested to collaborate with the Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization, Maui County Planning Department, and Maui County Council to identify and designate the specific location for the northern terminus of the North-South Collector Road, ensuring that it effectively integrates with existing and planned transportation infrastructure; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County of Maui is requested to submit a status report on the planning and development of the northern terminus of the North-South Collector Road 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 Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor of the County of Maui, Director of the Maui County Planning Department, Chair of the Maui County Council, and Executive Director of the Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Report Title: 

North-South Collector Road; Transportation; Maui

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1606

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 22

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.R. No. 22 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE COUNTY OF MAUI TO PRIORITIZE THE DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING OF THE NORTHERN TERMINUS OF THE KIHEI NORTH-SOUTH COLLECTOR ROAD,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the County of Maui to prioritize the development and planning of the northern terminus of the North-South Collector Road.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Kihei Community Association and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that residents and visitors of South Maui have experienced increasing traffic congestion, particularly in North and South Kihei where the lack of alternative routes has led to situations where car accidents or natural hazards, such as flash floods, can severely impede mobility, leaving residents unable to leave their neighborhoods and hindering emergency response efforts.  Your Committee further finds that despite previous funding allocations, progress has been limited, and the critical northern terminus of the North-South Collector Road has yet to be planned or identified.  By urging the prioritization of construction on the North-South Collector Road, this measure will accommodate current and future transportation demands, enhance public safety, and support the region's economic vitality.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 22, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 22, S.D. 1.

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