Hawaii Senate Bill SR124

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/16/26
• Refer: 3/19/26
• Report Pass: 4/8/26
• Passed: 4/9/26

Caption

Urging The City And County Of Honolulu To Take Necessary Steps To Finalize, Prioritize, And Materialize The Makakilo Drive Extension Project.

Summary

SR124 is a Senate resolution urging the City and County of Honolulu, along with the Department of Transportation Services and other appropriate agencies, to take steps to advance the Makakilo Drive Extension Project. The resolution cites population growth in Makakilo and greater Kapolei as a cause of increased congestion on Makakilo Drive and Farrington Highway, and it references a 2009 environmental impact statement that found the proposed extension would not have significant adverse environmental impacts. The resolution asks the city to finalize, prioritize, and move the project forward, and it encourages the establishment of a clear project timeline covering planning updates, funding identification, design, and construction. It also requests a status report and implementation timeline be submitted to the Legislature before the 2027 Regular Session. As a resolution, SR124 does not change statutory law or appropriate funds, but it is intended to place legislative pressure on local agencies to act on a long-discussed transportation project.

Impact

SR124 does not amend the Hawaii Revised Statutes or create a binding mandate; instead, it expresses the Senate’s position and requests action by the City and County of Honolulu. Its practical impact is to elevate the Makakilo Drive Extension Project as a transportation priority, encourage local planning and funding efforts, and require a future progress report to the Legislature. The resolution primarily affects the City and County of Honolulu, the Department of Transportation Services, and the Honolulu City Council by urging coordination on planning, design, and construction steps.

Sentiment

The general sentiment reflected in the bill text and voting history is supportive and favorable toward advancing the project. The resolution passed both the Senate Transportation Committee and the Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee unanimously and without amendment, indicating little formal opposition at the committee stage. The tone of the measure is also affirmative and problem-solving, emphasizing congestion relief, regional connectivity, and responsiveness to long-standing community requests.

Contention

The main point of contention is not opposition to the resolution itself, but the long delay in making the project a reality. The bill notes that residents and community members have advocated for the extension for many years and that prior legislation over the last decade has not produced a completed project. Implicitly, the unresolved issues are likely project prioritization, funding, and implementation timing, since the resolution specifically calls for a clear timeline and identification of funding sources. No explicit opposition appears in the available committee records.