HCR 154: requesting the County of hawaiʻi to expand the hele-on shared ride program to serve the entire island of hawaiʻi, including rural and underserved areas such as west hawaiʻi, north kohala, south kohala, kaʻŪ, and puna.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the County of hawaiʻi to expand the hele-on shared ride program to serve the entire island of hawaiʻi, including rural and underserved areas such as west hawaiʻi, north kohala, south kohala, kaʻŪ, and puna.

     WHEREAS, reliable, affordable, and accessible transportation is a critical component of public infrastructure that enables residents to meet basic needs, maintain independence, and fully participate in their communities; and

     WHEREAS, individuals with disabilities, kupuna, and residents with chronic health conditions often rely on specialized or accessible transportation services to attend medical appointments, obtain prescriptions, access supportive services, and maintain their overall health and well-being; and

     WHEREAS, residents of rural and geographically isolated areas of the island of Hawaiʻi face disproportionate transportation barriers due to long travel distances, limited fixed-route bus service, and a lack of on-demand transportation options; and

     WHEREAS, these barriers are particularly acute in west Hawaiʻi, Kaʻū, North Kohala, and South Kohala, where access to health care facilities, social services, and employment opportunities often requires long-distance travel; and

     WHEREAS, the County of Hawaiʻi Mass Transit Agency currently operates the Hele-On Shared Ride Program exclusively in east Hawaiʻi, offering subsidized, on-demand transportation services that are accessible to individuals who use mobility devices; and

     WHEREAS, effective July 1, 2023, the Hele-On Shared Ride Program subsidizes up to $15.80 per trip, equivalent to approximately four miles, with passengers responsible for any remaining balance, thereby increasing flexibility, eliminating the use of traditional taxi coupons, and allowing unlimited travel based on individual need; and

     WHEREAS, participation in the program requires eligible individuals to obtain a Shared Ride Program Identification Card, helping ensure that transportation support is provided to those who need it most while maintaining program accountability; and

     WHEREAS, at present, shared ride providers participating in the program operate only in the Hilo area, with no participating companies serving Puna, Kaʻū, Waimea, South Kohala, North Kohala, or west Hawaiʻi, including Kailua-Kona; and

     WHEREAS, the absence of island-wide shared ride service limits access to timely health care, contributes to missed medical appointments, and increases isolation for individuals who are unable to drive or who require accessible transportation; and

     WHEREAS, expanding the Hele-On Shared Ride Program to serve the entire island of Hawaiʻi would advance transportation equity, support independent living for people with disabilities, improve health care access in rural communities, and reduce disparities between east and west Hawaiʻi; and

     WHEREAS, an island-wide expansion would also complement existing Hele-On fixed-route services, encourage partnerships with local transportation providers, and support a more integrated and responsive public transit system for the island of Hawaiʻi; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that the County of Hawaiʻi is requested to expand the Hele-On Shared Ride Program to serve the entire island of Hawaiʻi, including rural and underserved areas such as west Hawaiʻi, North Kohala, South Kohala, Kaʻū, and Puna; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County of Hawaiʻi Mass Transit Agency is requested to:

     (1)  Prioritize accessibility for individuals with disabilities, including ensuring the availability of vehicles that accommodate mobility devices and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act;

     (2)  Collaborate with local taxi, shared-ride, and transportation providers to increase participation in areas that currently lack service, including west Hawaiʻi and other rural districts;

     (3)  Consider the expansion of the Hele-On Shared Ride Program as a means of improving access to health care services, including medical appointments, pharmacies, and supportive care, particularly for kupuna, individuals with disabilities, and residents without access to personal vehicles; and

     (4)  Explore phased implementation, pilot programs, or other cost-effective strategies to support island-wide expansion of the Hele-On Shared Ride Program, subject to available funding; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi, Chair of the Hawaiʻi County Council, and Administrator of the County of Hawaiʻi Mass Transit Agency.

Report Title: 

Hele-On Shared Ride Program; County of Hawaii; Expansion