Hawaii House Bill HCR136

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/14/25
• Report Pass: 3/28/25
• Engrossed: 3/28/25
• Refer: 3/31/25

Caption

Urging The City And County Of Honolulu To Encourage Pedestrians To Wear Reflective Gear Between The Hours Of Dusk And Dawn.

Summary

HCR136 is a nonbinding House Concurrent Resolution urging the City and County of Honolulu to encourage pedestrians to wear reflective gear between dusk and dawn. The resolution is framed as a pedestrian-safety measure in response to rising pedestrian collisions on Oahu, citing an increase in Honolulu EMS responses to pedestrian incidents and research showing that low-light conditions significantly increase crash risk. It also references federal safety guidance and examples from military bases and an Ohio township that require or encourage reflective clothing at night. The resolution further urges Honolulu and the Department of Transportation to work together to identify high-risk areas, install signage warning drivers and reminding pedestrians about reflective gear, and develop a public education campaign. It also asks that any ordinances adopted in response to the measure be included in that outreach. The resolution is directed to city and transportation officials, but it does not itself create a statewide mandate or penalty.

Impact

Because HCR136 is a concurrent resolution, it does not amend Hawaii statutes or create enforceable state law. Its practical effect is advisory: it encourages the City and County of Honolulu, along with the Department of Transportation Services, to consider local safety campaigns, signage, and possibly ordinances related to pedestrian visibility at night. Any legal change would have to come later through local action rather than this resolution itself.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment appears supportive and safety-focused. The bill is grounded in concern over pedestrian fatalities and injuries, and the cited evidence is used to justify proactive measures rather than punishment. The absence of recorded votes or committee transcripts suggests there is no documented public controversy in the provided materials, and the resolution’s tone is collaborative and preventative.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is whether Honolulu should merely encourage reflective gear or move toward stronger requirements, such as local ordinances or penalties. The resolution itself stops short of mandating behavior, but it points to examples from military installations and an Ohio township that use stricter rules, which may raise questions about enforcement, personal responsibility, and the scope of local regulation. Another possible issue is whether the burden of pedestrian safety should be placed on pedestrians through reflective gear campaigns versus on roadway design and driver behavior.