SR 79: URGING THE COUNTY OF MAUI and the Maui Emergency Management agency, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION and the hawaii EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT agency, TO develop and implement AN EVACUATION ROUTE SIGNAGE PROGRAM FOR THE COUNTY OF MAUI.

SENATE RESOLUTION

URGING THE COUNTY OF MAUI and the Maui Emergency Management agency, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION and the hawaii EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT agency, TO develop and implement AN EVACUATION ROUTE SIGNAGE PROGRAM FOR THE COUNTY OF MAUI.

     WHEREAS, the County of Maui is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, including wildfires, hurricanes, tsunamis, and flooding, which necessitate clear and effective evacuation plans; and

     WHEREAS, recent events, such as the 2023 Maui wildfires in Lahaina, have demonstrated the need for better communication and signage to direct residents and visitors to safe evacuation routes during emergencies; and

     WHEREAS, other states and municipalities have successfully implemented evacuation route signage programs to enhance public safety and ensure efficient evacuations during emergencies; and

     WHEREAS, the State of Florida has developed a comprehensive evacuation route signage system that includes clearly marked routes, real-time digital updates, and public education campaigns; and

     WHEREAS, the City of Los Angeles has implemented an advanced evacuation route system that incorporates digital signage, GPS integration, and multilingual emergency messaging; and

WHEREAS, studies have shown that well-marked evacuation routes reduce confusion, save lives, and improve the efficiency of emergency response efforts; and

     WHEREAS, an effective evacuation route signage program should include standardized signage, multiple language accessibility, digital and physical markers, and periodic public education campaigns; and

     WHEREAS, a collaborative approach between the County of Maui, Maui Emergency Management Agency, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and Department of Transportation would ensure that evacuation signage is strategically placed and maintained for the safety of residents and visitors; 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 and Maui Emergency Management Agency, in conjunction with the Department of Transportation and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, are urged to develop and implement an evacuation route signage program for the County of Maui; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the program is requested to consider best practices from other states and municipalities, including the use of standardized signage, digital integration, and multilingual accessibility; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County of Maui and the Department of Transportation are requested to collaborate with emergency management agencies to ensure that signage placement aligns with existing evacuation plans and infrastructure; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County of Maui is requested to conduct public awareness campaigns to educate residents and visitors about designated evacuation routes and signage; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Transportation, Administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Mayor of the County of Maui, Chairperson of the Maui County Council, and Administrator of the Maui Emergency Management Agency.

Report Title: 

HIEMA; DOT; Maui County; Emergency Response; Evacuation Signage Program